This keenly anticipated contest left few disappointed.

Steve Bastable, as the new Musical Director for Kew Band Melbourne, made a rousing debut in Australia. Playing Montage by Peter Graham as its major work, Kew Band Melbourne performed at new level of class.

In B Grade, exciting ensemble Geelong West, were clear winners.

Recently upgraded Darebin — Northern Brass showed it deserved the recent promotion by winning the C Grade section, whilst Shepparton fought of a close threat from Boroondara Harmony Brass to take out the D Grade.

Each band played a major work and two entertainment pieces.

Adjudicators for the day were Matthew van Emmerik for A, B, and D Grade, and Jamie Lawson for C Grade.

Results

A GRADE
1. Kew Band Melbourne, Steve Bastable, 196
2. Footscray Yarraville City Band, Phillipa Edwards, 186
3. Hawthorn City Band, Peter Sykes, 180
4. Boroondara Brass, Danny van Bergen, 176

B GRADE
1. Geelong West Brass Band, Jeff Steele, 182
2. Box Hill City Band, David Farrell, 170
3. City of Greater Dandenong Band, Colin Lord, 169
4. Diamond Valley Brass Band, Dean Hughes, 166

C GRADE
1. Darebin City Brass – Northern, Andrew Power, 170
2. Sunshine Community Brass, Chris Smith, 163
3. Marist Brothers Band, Matthew Pankhurst, 162
4. Greater Bendigo Concert Brass Band, Colin Wellard, 161
5. Maryborough City Brass Band, Jenny Wagstaff, 149

D GRADE
1. Shepparton Brass Band, Bill Scott, 156
2. Boroondara Harmony Brass, Danny van Bergen, 154
3. City of Bendigo Brass Band, Andrew Trewartha, 150
4. Daylesford & District Municipal Band, Jenny Jordan, 144
5. Croydon Citizen’s Brass, Melina Benger, 142
6= Creswick Municipal Band, Lloyd Stinton, 137
6= Thompson’s Foundry Band, Ed Wilcock, 137
8. Mornington Youth & Citizen’s Brass Band, Craig Fullerton, 135

Boroondara Brass in A Grade and City of Greater Dandenong band in B Grade were given a points penalty for going over time.