Report & Results: 2016 NSW State Championships

Central Coast heads the winners at the recent New South Wales State Championships in Penrith near Sydney.

There was a fine series of battles for the various titles at the recent New South Wales State Championships held at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith on the western outskirts of Sydney.

Successful defence

In the A Grade contest, defending champion Central Coast Brass conducted by Mark Ford headed both the set-work and own-choice disciplines to claim the honours ahead of Warringah Concert Brass, with Willoughby City in third.

It was a close run battle between the top three bands, with Warringah under John Saunders leading after the hymn tune, although Central Coast's classy rendition of 'Judges of the Secret Court' and boldly played own-choice selection of the British Open test-piece 'The Triumph of Time' saw them edge ahead and claim a two point margin of victory.

Warringah pushed hard with a well worked 'On the Shoulders of Giants', as did Willoughby with 'Metropolis 1927', but there was to be no denying Central Coast once more.

B Grade champions

In the B Grade event Toronto Brass claimed their first State title since 2011 as they beat off the close challenge of Parramatta City and CNL Brass.

Under the direction of MD Tim O'Hearn Toronto topped both the hymn tune and the all important set-work disciplines with a fine rendition of 'El Camino Real', although they were very nearly caught on the line with their own choice of 'Tallis Variations', as Paramatta City's excellent account of 'The Bandsman's Challenge' saw them make up ground to end equal on points.

However, with the set-work taking precedent, the title returned to Toronto.

Manley hat-trick

There was a hat-trick of C Grade titles to celebrate for Manley District Band under conductor Damien Butler, as they once again imposed their quality over their rivals.

Fine performances of the hymn tune, set-work, 'A Celtic Suite' by Philip Sparke and their own-choice selection of 'The Kingdom Triumphant' saw them secure a comprehensive victory over runner-up South West Sydney Brass with Newcastle PCYC Brass in third.

Long awaited success

Blue Mountains City won the D Grade event — their first State championship title for some years as directed by Volker Schoeler their performances of the hymn tune, set-work, 'Tantum Ergo' by Michael Forsyth and their own choice selection of 'A Holiday Suite' by Eric Ball saw them beat rivals Gosford Community Brass and CNL Brass.

Warringah pushed hard with a well worked 'On the Shoulders of Giants', as did Willoughby with 'Metropolis 1927', but there was to be no denying Central Coast once more4BR

Results:

Open A Grade:

Adjudicator: Nigel Weeks
Hymn/Test/Own Choice

1. Central Coast Brass (Mark Ford): 46/91/90 = 227
2. Warringah Concert Brass (John Saunders): 47/90/88 = 225
3. Willoughby City Band (Josh Mann): 45/88/89 = 222
4. City of Holroyd (Richard Sandham): 43/87/87 = 217

Open B Grade:

Adjudicator: Andrew Snell
Hymn/Test/Own Choice

1. Toronto Brass (Tim O'Hearn): 43/89/83 = 215*
2. Parramatta City (Jonathan Gatt): 42/86/87 = 215
3. CNL Brass (Jonathan Gatt): 38/84/84 = 206

Open C Grade: