Willoughby City, from the lower North Shore of Sydney in New South Wales made a successful state crossing to claim a first ever Queensland A Grade Championship Section title in Brisbane on the weekend.
Directed by Dominic Longhurst, their performances of the set-work, 'Dances & Arias', plus their sacred item, 'His Provision', the stage march, 'The Wizard' and their own-choice test-piece of 'Concerto Grosso' by Derek Bourgeois saw them take the honours from former winner Brisbane Excelsior, with defending champion Brisbane Brass in third.
Progress
The result further confirmed the progress made under the former Brighouse & Rastrick principal cornet player since his appointment in 2022, and which has included a NSW State Championship victory in 2024 and a fourth place finish in the inaugural Premier Grade Australian National Championships in April.
Grade honours
The B Grade honours went to Brisbane Brass 2 conducted by Elena Katahanas, as they regained the title for the first time since 2022 over former winners Windsor Excelsior and defending champion Sunnybank Brass.
The clear cut 5-point margin of victory came courtesy of the set-work, 'The Plantagenets', 'I'll Walk with God', 'The Australasian' and 'St James — A New Beginning'.
Highlights
One of the highlights of the weekend came from Cairns Brass Youth Band as they defended their C Grade honours in thrilling fashion under MD, Ben Stein.
Their performances of the set-work, 'The Pacemakers', 'Crimond', 'The Waltonian' and 'Oregon: Fantasy for Band', gave them an imposing 8-point margin of victory over rivals Capricornia Silver with Sunshine Brass in third.
In the D Grade, victory went to Lutwyche Excelsior conducted by Cathy Reid.
Formed in 2024 it was also their contesting debuts, as they secured the honours playing 'Dream Catchers' by Paul Lovatt-Cooper, the hymn tune, 'Lloyd' and the march 'Victoria'. Just a point behind came second place Brisbane Brass 3.
In a wonderful Junior Grade battle, it was Cairns Brass Junior led by Julia Christodoulides who pipped Narangba Valley High School conducted by Jon Adams by a point to take the title with their performance of 'Lloyd', 'Haunted' and 'Colonel Bogey'.
The championships were once again broadcast by Tim Kelly at www.brassbanned.com
Results:
A Grade:
Test piece/Sacred item/Own-choice/Stage march = Total
Adjudicator: Bryan Hurdley
1. Willoughby City (Dominic Longhurst): 196/93/197/95 = 581
2. Brisbane Excelsior (Howard Taylor): 193/5/193/98 = 579
3. Brisbane Brass (Michael Keen): 190/91/191/96 = 568
B Grade:
Test piece/Sacred item/Own-choice/Stage march = Total
Adjudicator: Bryan Hurdley
1. Brisbane Brass 2 (Elena Katahanas): 193/92/193/92 = 570
2. Windsor Excelsior (Dale Hosking): 190/91/195/89 = 565
3. Sunnybank Brass (Joshua Sephton): 189/89/189/87 = 554
4. Surfers Paradise Brass (Scott King): 187/87/189/88 = 551
C Grade:
Test piece/Sacred item/Own-choice/Stage march = Total
Adjudicator: Bryan Hurdley
1. Cairns Brass Youth Band (Ben Stein): 182/88/193/94 = 557
2. Capricornia Silver (Jacinta Delalande): 180/87/189/93 = 549
3. Sunshine Brass (Heather Aitken): 178/89/188/89 = 544
D Grade:
Test piece/Sacred item/Own-choice/Stage march = Total
Adjudicator: Bryan Hurdley
1. Lutwyche Excelsior (Cathy Reid): 182/85/186/85 = 538
2. Brisbane Brass 3 (Emily Matthews & Meg McWilliams): 180/83/187/87 = 537
Junior Brass:
Adjudicator: Bryan Hurdley
1. Cairns Brass Junior (Julia Christodoulides): 85/84/183 = 352
2. Narangba Valley High School (Jon Adams): 86/85/180 = 351
