2006 Victorian Band Championships - D Grade Preview and Predictions

When: Sunday 15 October 10.15am
Where: Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts
Adjudicator: Major Eric Anderson
Test Piece: Pacific Dreams by Jacob DeHaan

With six bands contesting this event, it is shaping up to be a close finish over the line. 

Generally speaking, the test piece should be a winner with both the bands and the listeners.  Pacific Dreams is an enjoyable piece to prepare for the bands but many have struggled in the area of percussion.  The test piece requires equipment and a certain skill level which is way beyond most bands in this section.  Many have adopted the approach of doing the best they can with what they've got.

Another common issue seems to be those of an administrative nature.  The VBL procedures and general communication problems have been mentioned quite frequently to 4BRDU - and not only from bands in this section. 

The Bands

City of Bendigo Brass
Conductor:  Andrew Trewartha

Soprano:  Jason Hague
Principal Cornet:  Shared by Michael Dobson/Louisa Trewartha
Flugel: Trevor Trewartha
Solo Horn: Daryl Deraugo
Principal Eupho: Peter Darlow
Solo Bari: Aaron Boyd
Principal Trom: Hannah Boyd
Bass Trom: Anthony Johns
Principal Eb Bass: Julie Murnane
Principal Bb Bass: David Hague
Principal Percussionist: Kit-Jeff Odel/ Tympani -Cally Tromans

The band reported to 4BRDU:
The preparation for the contest has been slow but steady.  Unfortunately, the school holidays interrupted progress, but we've introduced additional rehearsals to counter this.

Pacific Dreams is a very enjoyable piece with something for everybody.  The melody throughout is very listenable, which is fairly unique for a test piece.

The band is very interested to see how the new venue goes this year, and is looking forward to the change.

Darebin City Brass-Northern Brass
Conductor:  Andrew Power
 
Soprano: George Meletsis
Principal Cornet: Jason Mears
Repieno: Alan Fancourt
Flugelhorn: Brendan Davies
Solo Horn: Jannet Ross
Principal Baritone: Steve Walshe
Principal Trombone: Robert Clarke
Principal Euphonium: Terina Davies
Principal Eb Bass: David Morris
Principal Bb Bass: Paul Shurvell
Principal Percussion: Brittany Crabbe
 
The band reported to 4BRDU:
The band's preparation for the contest is going very well, with fairly consistent attendance at rehearsals, twice a week in the last month. This includes full band and sectional rehearsals. The programme was selected a few months ago and each piece is reaching a very acceptable D grade standard.
 
In regards to Jacob DeHaan's "Pacific Dreams", the band finds it not really technically challenging, but more so stylistically challenging. Without the choir parts, it becomes very repetative in places, which requires the band to contrast sections down to the finest details. Also with not a lot of obvious dynamic changes, it is important for the ensemble not to fall into the trap of becoming tonally boring. With this in mind, Northern brass has done a great job so far, and MD, Andrew Power, is looking forward to presenting them on stage at Ballarat with what they intend to be an exciting and contrasting performance.
 
The band wishes all the other bands the best of luck and looks forward to hearing other interpretations of the test piece.

Daylesford & District Municipal
Conductor:  Jenny Jordan

For Daylesford, this will be its first contest in over 10 years.  The band has had good attendance at rehearsals in the lead up to the contest and are happy with their preparation. They have needed to enlist the services of a couple of permit bass players but other than that, their membership is complete within house.

Daylesford are enthusiastic about this coming weekend with no real expectations other than to do their best and enjoy themselves....that's what its all about!

Echuca Federal
Conductor:  Doug Morison

Echuca are essentially a band of very young players with a few enthusiastic 'oldies' within the ranks.  The band is tackling the three hour drive to Ballarat in a couple of mini-buses driven my the band members. 

Conductor, Doug Morison, has been mindful of the inexperience of many of the players and holds no delusions of the capabilities of the band.  Choosing not to make use of the permit player system, the band consists totally of its own players - including a couple of Mums who have stepped in to help with percussion.  A particular focus of the band has been to cultivate membership and to also stretch and expand the capabilities of the band.

Morale is high and the sense of team work is very strong within this band.

La Trobe City Brass
Conductor:  Dr Cyril Payne

Soprano: Richard Spriggs
Cornet:  Chris Gretton, Michael Hicks, Hayden Johns, Barry Menkens, Tim Frost, Tina Manzo, Myra Kraft, Keigan Johns, Owen Notting
Flugel: Cameron Hewwitt/Peter Fitzmaurice
Horn: Beth Turner, Nyree Vosper, Leanne Harkin, Rosemary Payne, Andrew O'Sullivan
Euph:  Robert McKenzie, Tanya Micallef
Baritone:  Desmond Fay, Ian McKenzie
Tenor Trom: Graheme Turner, Ben Heels, Karen Symons
Bass Trom: Justin Poole
Eb Bass: Bill Johns, David McDonald
Bb Bass: Keith Edge, George Davis
Percussion:  John Ross, Nathan Mackie

The band has reported to 4BRDU its preparation phase has been rather hectic due to a very busy playout schedule leading up to the contest.  La Trobe has found the test piece quite challenging, but is will give it their best shot.

Moonee Valley Brass
Conductor:  John Breen

Like many of the bands, Moonee Valley has had its share of challenges in the preparation for the contest.  Adequately outfitting the band with percussion gear and players to operate it has been difficult, but with the help of the odd Mum or two, parts are just about covered.

Moonee Valley has also found the going a bit tough with having so many players as students, where exams, academic commitments, and holidays have hampered its progress a little.

Howerver, MD John Breen, has noticed in significant improvement in the band and is happy that the band is following its aim of focussing on the overall quality of performance rather than aiming for a win.

The band has also been fortunate to have had the services of David Redding and Christina Bowden who have assisted with rehearsals this week while John Breen has been in Tasmania.

4BRDU Predictions:
1.  Darebin City Brass - Northern Brass
2.  City of Bendigo Brass
3.  Moonee Valley Brass