The 35th Ern Keller Memorial “International Soloist of the Year” and the 20th Ern Keller Memorial “Band of the Year” will take place on Sunday 22 February 2009 at the St Mary's Band Club, Sydney.

The Adjudicator for the day is Australian born, Professor David King.

International Soloist of the Year finalists
The Soloists are:
British Open, Glen van Looy, Euphonium
NZ National, Tyme Marsters, Flugel
NSW, Bruce Myers, Tenor Horn
QLD, Dale Hosking, Cornet
SA, Mark Smith, Flugel
TAS, Joe Cook, Eb Bass
VIC, Matthew van Emmerik, Euphonium
WA, Ben Noonan, Cornet
Aus National, —

The current Australian National Champion Ashley Gittins has declined the invitation to attend this year, as has Kristy Rowe who won the NSW Champion of Champions in 2008.

Kristy is currently in the UK playing with Leyland, and is replaced in the Keller line-up by horn virtuoso, Bruce Myers.

2008 Australian Champion of Champions runner-up, trombone player Josh Davis, is also unable to attend which reduces the field of competitors to eight from the usual nine.

All eyes and ears will be on the sensational seventeen year old euphonium player from Belgium, Glen van Looy, who took the British Open Solo title late last year.4BR

All eyes and ears will be on the sensational seventeen year old euphonium player from Belgium, Glen van Looy, who took the British Open Solo title late last year.

Amongst others, van Looy defeated the 2007 & 2008 Keller Champion, baritone star Katrina Marzella.

"Band of the Year" entrants
Bands are:
Prestige Brass, Mark Ford (winners in 2008)
St Marys Band Club Brass, Paul Terracini
Waratah Brass, Ron Prussing
Willoughby City, Andrew Snell

Prestige Brass is a composite band of players from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and New Zealand who regularly attend Keller at their own expense.

The organisers of Keller, express their extreme gratitude for what this composite band continues to do, and the tribute they are showing to the importance and the integrity of this special event.

Brian Evans and Greg Aitken will join Professor King on the adjudication panel for the "Band of the Year" event.

4barsrest will be reporting directly from the event.

International Soloist of the Year commences at 1:30 PM, and the Band of the Year Event commences at approx. 4:30 PM.

Doors Open 1:00 pm
Admission: Free