South Australian State Band Championships - Contest Preview

2-Nov-2006

This year, the South Australian Band Association State Band Championships are being held Sunday 5 November, in conjunction with the Barossa Contest Committee, at the Brenton Langbein Theatre, Tanunda.

Fifteen brass and/or concert bands will be performing throughout the day with the A Grade Concert bands starting the proceedings at 9.15am.

In the Brass Sections, there are 11 bands - 2 in A Grade, 1 in B Grade, 6 in C Grade, and 3 in Junior Grade.

Adjudicator for the day is Mark Ford from Melbourne. Mark is recognised as one of the country's leading adjudicators, and is currently the Musical Director of Kew Melbourne.

4BRDU takes a closer look at what to expect on Sunday, with acknowledgement to Andrew Stone for his assistance.

A Grade

A non-competitive entertainment concert from participants Kensington & Norwood Brass and Tanunda Town Band will this year replace the formality of a hymn, test piece and stage march - a joint decision made the two bands, SABA, and contest organisers.

The set test piece was to be The Night to Sing by Bramwell Tovey.

Background events leading to the decision for a change to entertainment or concert brackets in this years A Grade section, was the earlier announcement from the Tanunda Town Band that they would not be entering in this years SA State Band Championships.

Both bands are in fine form and are looking forward to the joint presentation.

Kensington and Norwood
Conductor: Bruce Raymond

Programme:
Finale from Tachaikovsky Symphony No. 4
Bill Bailey Hughie Cannon arr. Goff Richards
Children of Sanchez Mangione Arr. Gilje
Kingdom Triumphant Eric Ball

Key Personnel:
Soprano: Danny Dielkens
Principal Cornet: Kevin Joughin
Solo Horn: Lesley Deanshaw
Principal Euphonium: Janet Carey
Flugel: Mark Smith
Solo Trombone: Peter Doherty
Solo Baritone: Anthony Rogers
EEb Tuba: Paul Beames
BBb Tuba: Phil Kilford
Percussion: Russell Webb

K&N reported to 4BRDU:
The band has had a busy schedule leading up to the contest, keeping all the players in good shape for the weekend. The decision to not play the test piece � The Night to Sing was made in consultation with the Tanunda Town Band and the SABA, with support from around the band. Of course there are pros and cons to such a decision, and some consideration was given to the value of a band being able to work on a test piece such as Night to Sing, and the importance for bands to have an opportunity to perform works of this standard. However, the decision was eventually made in order to show support for the only other A grade band in SA who are in a period of re-building after a change of Musical Director, and to take the opportunity to play a programme of entertaining and challenging brass music. We are looking forward to the weekend, and look forward even more to 2007 where K&N and Tanunda Town Band will again go head to head for the title of SA A Grade Champion Band.

Tanunda Town Band
Musical Director: Dave Polain

Preview...coming soon

B Grade
Test: Pageantry (Howells)
Salisbury City Band
Conductor: Geoff Meikle

MD, Geoff Meikle, spoke with 4BRDU on the bands preparation leading up to the championship, as well as future goals. Salisbury were looking at the possibility of an opportunity to compete in the A Grade section at this State Championship but this was not to be. Instead, the band certainly has found enough challenge in the test piece Pageantry and is also gaining benefit from its parallel preparation of Tallis Variations, which they will play at the Mt Gambier Festival later in the year.

The band would like to acknowledge the recent help and assistance of guest conductor Jim Dempsey, and also Kerry Hewitt and Bob Hower who have spent invaluable time with the band in recent weeks.

The bands attendance and morale are high with no shortage of 'bums on seats'. The 'young brigade', as Geoff refers to them, have worked solidly and consistenly and have particularly enjoyed working on Tallis Variations.

Although there is no competition on this occasion for Salisbury, the band is focussed on producing its best performance possible, and to use this contest to build upon and make improvements with the 2007 Nationals firmly in the bands sights.

C Grade
Courtesy of Andrew Stone and SABA
Test Piece: Oregon by Jan de Haan

The South Australian �C' Grade has shaped up to be the most keenly contested Grade of this year's South Australian State Championships. 6 South Australian bands will take to the stage in the beautifully appointed Brenton Langbein Theatre in Tanunda.

The Musical Advisory Board has chosen �Oregon' by Jacob de Hann. This work from all accounts is well suited to the �C' Grade and will provide a wonderful opportunity for all the competing bands to perform a work commiserate with their abilities.

This year we invited each Musical Director to talk a little of their band, of their preparations for this years championships, their views of the selected test piece Oregon and what their thoughts were on the Brenton Langbein Theatre as a venue.

Marananga Brass Band
Musical Director: Peter Fechner

Marananga is an extremely active Barossa Community band which has representatives from most areas of the Barossa Valley and an age spread from early teens to seventy's.

Marananga is committed to a number of annual community events throughout the many Barossa townships as well as their annual �Night of Music' which attracts an audience of around 1200.

Rehearsals have gone well, but there's definitely been a challenge to begin contest preparations so soon after the mid year �Night of Music' performance as well as staying committed to other local performances including a concert in Riverton the weekend after the state championships.

Peter Fechner's views on �Oregon'
�The piece is enjoyable to listen to which gives it a heads up on a number of test pieces. The band has some history with the test piece which is an advantage in some ways, but also makes the ongoing rehearsals difficult for some players. In an effort to spice up rehearsals, we have rehearsed music with similar styles or techniques required by the test piece rather than hammering the test piece week after week. As a complete contrast, the Hymn tune and March are both new to the band by a few months ago'.

Permit players
Thomas Ludi-Schutz - Tenor Horn (Tanunda Town Band)
Leo Fechner � Cornet (Port Adelaide)

and this years C Grade competition�.
�Seems to be a good group of bands competing. It is unfortunate that Salisbury is not able to enjoy the same competition. Having said that, all bands should be happy if they have performed at their best, irrelevant of their placing or competition'.

What of the Brenton Langbein Theatre�
I was lucky enough to hear Kew and Kensington & Norwood play there a number of years ago and enjoyed it immensely. I remember closing my eyes and being able to hear the beautifully balanced and blended hymn such that no individual instrument could be heard. With the greatest of respect to Tanunda Show Hall, I hope the competition remains at the new venue.

K & N Youth Brass
Musical Director: Bruce Raymond

K & N Youth Brass currently consists of 40 registered players between the ages of 7 and 18. The average age is 13 years.

MD Bruce Raymond ensures the Youth brass plays a wide variety of music ranging from traditional to contemporary hits and movie themes. This helps to make learning fun for the players and enjoyable for the audience.

This years band on stage:
Soprano: Katherine Schell
Principal cornets: Sarah Edson
Flugel: Kelly Templar
Solo Horn: Andrew Scholefield
Principal Eupho: Steven Monger
Principal Trom: . Thomas Schell
Bass Trom: Allan Moore
Principal Eb Bass: Maria Spano
Principal Bb Bass: Christopher Howley
Principal Percussionist: Elliot Zoerner

Rehearsals
�Not a lot of rehearsals due to many school commitments but it's been fun working on an exciting piece of music'.

Permit players
Sarah Edson � Cornet (K & N Brass)
Steven Monger � Euphonium (K & N Brass)

and on this year's C Grade competition�
Really good to see so many bands entering

What of the Brenton Langbein Theatre�.
The Theatre provides a wonderful venue for bands persons to play. It should make all players feel good as they walk onto the stage.

Mitcham City Brass
Musical Director: Peter Smith

Mitcham City Brass (MCB) are a community band and current State 'C' grade Champions who have an exuberance for producing excellence in music and sharing this passion with the wider-community.

At MCB the enjoyment factor is a vital ingredient to our success and as important as the quality of music that we strive for. Music is a great way of breaking down many barriers and cultural differences ... successfully uniting people from all walks of life and ages; including Professors, Teachers, Trades-people, Students, Public Servants, Management, Retail, Office, Laborers, Skilled and Unskilled.
Our variety and styles of music go further than Marches and Hymns ... try Swing, Big-band, Stage & Screen, Popular, Modern, Classical, Renaissance and that's just for starters � playing in many settings from parks through to concert halls, from supporting local events to performing in the Schutzenfest and Adelaide Fringe.

MCB has a strong commitment to developing our Youth and learners of all ages, so that they may experience the joys of being part of the brass band movement and ensuring our 105 year tradition continues into the future.

This year's band on stage:
Soprano: Danny Dielkens
Principal cornets: Craig Smith-Ellis, John Slater, David Laycock, Luke Lambert
Flugel: Bill Richards
Solo Horn: Sue Smith
Principal Eupho: Peter McIntyre, Tamina Judd
Principal Trom: Ian Collins
Bass Trom: James Paltridge
Principal Eb Bass: Andrew Robinson
Principal Bb Bass: Peter Milter
Principal Percussionist: Heather Walker

Rehearsals...
�Preparation has been made easier due to the players enjoying the piece. It's a great number for both listener and player alike. The biggest struggle has been the number of players who have come down with this lingering virus over the past come of months'.

Permit players...
Danny Dielkens � Soprano (K & N Brass)
David Walker - 2nd Horn

and this years C Grade competition�
�I am excited at the prospect of performing with 6 other bands in C grade this year and hearing their interpretation of the selected music. Mitcham will be approaching the Championships with the aim of performing at our excellence whilst soaking up the brass atmosphere, win or loss we will be celebrating the following Monday night, just because we are passionate about what we do'.

What of the Brenton Langbein Threatre�
�A lot of work by a lot of bands, brass & concert, is being put into producing quality music on the day, to have what appears to be a fantastic venue to perform in is very much welcomed and should provide the listener with an enjoyable day of music making'

Enfield Brass
Musical Director: Geoff Magin (Chip)
Assistant Musical Director: Alison Smith
Drum Major: Phil Benger

Enfield Brass was previously known as the City Of Enfield Brass Band. However, when the Port Adelaide and Enfield City Councils amalgamated, the band took on the name Enfield Brass. Our alternate guise, the Klemzig Oompah band, rounds off a very wide variety of music styles from traditional hymns and marches though swing, jazz, song, Bavarian, German and even yodelling.

We are an active contesting band, currently graded as C but over the last few years have contested in B grade for a bit of fun. One of South Australia's best marching bands we are featured in many and varied parades including Anzac Day and Christmas pageants.

Rehearsals are held on Thursday nights from 8pm-10pm; all brass musicians and percussionists of any age and ability are welcome. For those who would like to learn an instrument there is a learner's class on Monday nights from 7pm-9pm, again, all are welcome.

Soprano: Russell
Cornets: Mark, Eric, Rohan, Kate, Dave, Steve, Andrew & Eloise
Flugel: Mark
Solo Horn:Min, Kathryn, Renee, Jeannie & Robyn
Eupho:Jason & Alicia
Baritone:Matt & Miranda
Trombone:Alison, Justin & Dennis
Bass Trombone:Jeff
Eb Bass:Mandy & Arthur
Bb Bass:Richard & Phil
Percussionist:Shayne, Marion & Bob

Rehearsals�
�Preparation as usual is intense, each member has placed their usual priority and high personal standard in getting their individual parts ready for assembly into the ensemble'.

Your view on the test piece �Oregon'...
�It's OK. It has its moments for the principle players and sections but not quite as challenging as I would prefer for non principle sections. I expected a little more complex considering the standard of C Grade bands in South Australia'

Permit players...
�I try desperately hard not to use permits. Having said that, currently we have 2, one because of a clearance issue, the other because of work commitments. Both permitted players have long term associations with our team'.

and this years �C' Grade competition�
All bands currently entered are a high standard, I think the championship winner will well deserve the title. The adjudicator will be earning his money.

What of the Brenton Langbein Theatre � Tanunda...
�Speaking musically, the centre is nice, a reasonable playing stage and a fitting contest venue.

Speaking personally, I think the venue is a little sterile and doesn't have the Tanunda atmosphere. It is too far away from the centre (or the heart) of the Barossa making it almost impossible for people to drop in as they pass by, and for band members to get away for a little quiet time to regroup both before and after the contest'

Hahndorf Town Band
Musical Director: Kevin Cameron

Hahndorf Band is a very successful community brass band, based in the Adeliade Hills. The Band performs engagements in its local community, metropolitan Adelaide, and in regional centres. The Band has enjoyed a busy 2006 season, celebrating its 80th Anniversary Year with a reunion dinner, commemorative contest, a trip to the Oyster Festival at Ceduna, and several concert/festival and marching gigs around Adelaide.

Soprano: Al Kidney
Principal cornets: Sarah Butler
Flugel: Andrew Edgeworth
Solo Horn: David Kramm
Principal Eupho: Nadia Sayer
Principal Trom: Greg Francis
Bass Trom: Bronwyn Kenny
Principal Eb Bass: Debbie Jackson
Principal Bb Bass: Chris Koop
Principal Percussionist: Brian Green

Preparation & Rehearsals
�Very smoothly - the band has enjoyed a busy year, so rehearsals have been well attended and productive'

Permit Players
Danny Diekens - Cornet, (K & N)
Monica Hosken - Euphonium, (Canning City, WA)

And on �Oregon'
�A very suitable piece for the grade - challenging in places, but also very achievable and enjoyable to play. The fact that there are strong entries in the grade supports this point'.

Marion City Band
Musical Director: Veronica Bowman

Marion City Band is a vibrant and progressive community brass band, performing music in a wide variety of styles for many occasions.
Rehearsals are on a Wednesday evening at the Marion RSL, Norfolk Road, Marion: 7.45 - 10.00 pm.

Marion City Band has a training band (Warriparinga Brass) and also a learners' group.

Proudly supported by the City of Marion, we may be found performing in both metropolitan and country areas throughout the year.

This years band on stage:
Soprano: Sarah Butler
Principal Cornet: Kathy Hubbard
Flugel: Malcolm Denton
Solo Horn: Sarah Bain
Principal Eupho: Jonathon Shinnick
Solo Bari: Elizabeth McDonald
Principal Trom: James Bowman
Bass Trom: Natalie Bond
Principal Eb Bass: Tony Nicholls
Principal Bb Bass: Steven Hitchman and David Vinall
Principal Percussionist: Claire Behan

How has your preparation and lead up to the contest been going?
The band is motivated, but has been extremely busy with a major concert and the Vic States. The group is a great team and have pulled together to work hard on 'yet another' major work.

How is the band finding the test piece and/or own choice music?
Marion really enjoys playing Oregon, although there are some technical aspects that are quite a challenge for some of the beginner players. A lot of work is going into the March, because the band has been placed quite low in this part of competitions for the past 3 times.

Personnel?
We have a fantastic new BBb bass player named Steven Hitchman. He hasn't played for about 14 years, but studied music at Elder Conservatorium and is back into it impressively quickly! Our usual Principal Trombone player, Dean McDonald, is back from a holiday in the Solomon Islands and is having a go on 2nd Tenor Horn. Paul Van der Koogh is permitting on percussion (he is a regular helper of ours) and he has just come back from a 7-month stint on a cruise ship playing sax!

Who are your permit players?
Sarah Butler - Soprano Cornet (Hahndorf)
Mary Westley plays Baritone with us on a regular basis and is using Marion City Band for her Year Twelve Performance Assessment.

And of years C Grade competition?
�We're just in it to have fun and keep improving. We get a little bit better, step by step, each time we prepare a major work and compete. We'll be smokin' for the Nationals!'

What of the Brenton Langbein Theatre � Tanunda.
�The first time I ever came to SA was to compete in the tin shed. That tin shed's legendary and many bands from Vic still talk about it and ask why it's not held there anymore. Personally � I think the shed needs to be revived with a big advertising campaign to the Eastern States. Bugger the acoustics, go with tradition � a tradition that obviously created many a fond memory.'

Junior Grade

Warriparinga Brass
Conductor: Veronica Bowman

Band Personnel:
Soprano: Imogen Behan
Principal Cornet: Beth Rackham
Solo Horn: Scott Belcher
Principal Eupho: Jonathon Shinnick
Solo Bari: Natalie Stone
Principal Trom: James Bowman
Bass Trom: Jared Gibson
Principal Eb Bass: Jacob Bain and Emily Legg
Principal Percussionist: Thomas Shinnick

Warriparinga is an extremely young group and many of the players have been learning for less than a year. They are doing excellent work and are very motivated and enthusiastic.

Our own choice major work is lots of fun and the members really get involved.

New members have been joining and registering right up to the last second of cut off. It's exciting to have some very brave younsters joining the band for the competition who have only been playing for a few weeks!

The youngsters are really looking forward to the day - particularly the excitement of marching with Marion in the street march.

Mitcham Youth
Conductor: Danny Dielkens

Band Personnel:
Principal Cornet:Adrian Myers
Solo Horn:Megan
Principal Eupho: Josh Mayne
Bass Trom: Georgie Falster
Principal Eb Bass: Karina Filipi
Principal Percussionist: Joel Ritmeyer

How has your preparation and lead up to the contest been going?
We have been rehearsing every Monday with nearly all members present. Even
during the school holiday's we had hardly no absences. And now with the 2
permit players the band has lifted to a different level. All players are
putting 100 %!

How is the band finding the test piece and/or own choice music?
The band loves the own choice. It features our principle cornet and
principle trombone player.

Personnel - any exciting changes or disappointments?
We are very excited that Megan and Karina are willing to help us out.

This is a small group who are making a great sound. Their preparation has been detailed and thorough.

Kensington and Norwood Youth
Musical Director: Bruce Raymond

K & N Youth Brass currently consists of 40 registered players between the ages of 7 and 18. The average age is 13 years.

Band Personnel:
Soprano: Katherine Schell
Principal cornet: Sarah Edson
Flugel: Kelly Templar
Solo Horn: Andrew Scholefield
Principal Eupho: Steven Monger
Principal Trom: . Thomas Schell
Bass Trom: Allan Moore
Principal Eb Bass: Maria Spano
Principal Bb Bass: Christopher Howley
Principal Percussionist: Elliot Zoerner

Contest Highlights

The A Grade entertainment will be a real highlight. K & N & Tanunda, have never combined for a joint concert that anyone can remember, so this will be a first. Warriparinga to excel in Junior Grade and a very close tussle for the top placings in the C Grade is the prediction.