The New South Wales State Championships recently took place at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith on the western outskirts of Sydney.
Central Coast win
The Open A Grade competition, made up of the disciplines of Hymn, Set Work and Own-Choice test piece was won by Central Coast Brass directed by Conrad Curry.
It was the band's first State Championship victory at A Grade level following the re-organisation of the 117 year old parent body Gosford City Brass Band in 2012. The band was runner-up last year and came sixth at this year's Australian National Championship.
Central Coast Brass topped all three sections — including their hymn tune 'In this Quiet Moment', the set work, 'Of Men and Mountains' and their own-choice selection of 'Spiriti', which gained a remarkable 99 points from adjudicator Graham Lloyd.
There were also excellent own choice performances from runner-up Warringah ('A Tale As Yet Untold'), Willoughby City ('Earthrise') and City of Holroyd ('On Alderley Edge').
Gunnedah victory
In the B Grade there was a fine victory for Gunnedah Shire No 2 Band directed by Anthony Rowe — with a trio of performances that included the hymn tune 'The Old Rugged Cross', the set work 'The Moor of Venice' and their own-choice selection of 'Spectrum'.
It gave the band their first State victory since 2010, as they finished ahead of Parramatta City and Windsor Brass.
Double for Manley
In the C Grade there was a clear cut win for Manly District Band directed by Damian Butler, thanks to their trio of table topping renditions of their hymn tune 'In Perfect Peace', the set work, 'Olympus' and their own-choice selection of William Rimmer's classic arrangement of 'Scheherazade'.
It gave the band their second successive State title following their D Grade success last year, as they finished ahead of Bankstown City Brass and Maitland City Brass.
First for Sydney
There was also a first State celebration to enjoy for South West Sydney Brass directed by Eddie Claxton, after they went one better than last year's runner-up spot with excellent performances of the hymn tune 'Crimond', the set work, 'The Songs they Took to War' arranged by Dean Ones and their own choice selection of 'Olympus'.
Central Coast Brass topped all three sections — including their hymn tune 'In this Quiet Moment', the set work, 'Of Men and Mountains' and own-choice selection of 'Spiriti', which gained a remarkable 99 points from adjudicator Graham Lloyd4BR
Results:
A Grade:
Adjudicator: Graham Lloyd
Hymn/Set Work/Own Choice = Total
1. Central Coast Brass (Conrad Curry): 49/98/99 = 246
2. Warringah Concert Brass (John Saunders): 48/97/97 = 242
3. Willoughby City (Aaron Madden): 46/96/98 = 240
4. City of Holroyd (Andy Yule): 47/95/95 = 237
B Grade:
Hymn/Set Work/Own Choice = Total
1. Gunnedah Shire No2 (Anthony Rowe): 49/95/98 = 242
2. Parramatta City: 46/98/94 = 238
3. Windsor Brass: 47/93/96 = 236
4. Toronto Brass: 46/96/93 = 235
C Grade:
Hymn/Set Work/Own Choice = Total
1. Manly District Band (Damian Butler): 47/97/97 = 241
2. Bankstown City Brass: 46/96/94 = 236
3. Maitland City Brass: 44/95/96 = 235
4. Newcastle PCYC Brass: 45/94/95 = 234
D Grade:
Hymn/Set Work/Own Choice = Total
1. South West Sydney Brass (Eddie Claxton): 49/96/97 = 242
2. St George Brass: 47/95/95 = 237
3. Brisbane Water Brass: 46/94/93 = 233
