2009 Australian Band Championships - A Grade: Preview

7-Apr-2009

Friday 10 April, circa. 11.30am
Hall One, Seymour Centre
Test & Hymn: Dove Descending, Philip Wilby
Own Choice & Stage March: Sunday 12 April, circa. 11.30am
Adjudicator: Professor David King

14 bands contest this years A Grade Championship.

With the return of Jason Katsikaris from the UK in early March, the dynamic maestro has had ample time to prepare Gunnedah for its first A Grade National title. Gunnedah came oh so close to a National title win in NZ in 2007, and were hot on the heels of Brisbane Excelsior in 2008, so this year, the country team would have to be considered favourites.

Serious threats will come from Kew Band Melbourne, and the newly formed Moore Park View Brass.

Solid performances are expected from the usually consistent bands Footscray-Yarraville, Glenorchy, Willoughby, St Marys, & Warringah.

Word is Nigel Weeks has been weaving his musical magic as guest conductor of Holroyd and is a keenly anticipated appearance.

Five conductors make their A Grade National debut in Sydney. Warwick Tyrell will lead Waratah, Danny Dielkins is MD for Darebin Preston Brass, Mareika Gray has been recently appointed MD of South Brisbane Federal, Jon Christodoulides has taken over the reigns of Brisbane Brass, and Danny van Bergin leads the recently upgraded Boroondara Brass.

The Own Choice test selections include Between the Moon and Mexico (Sparke), Dreams (Moren), Earthquake (de Haan), Harmony Music (Sparke), Isaiah 40 (Redhead), Journey to the Centre of the Earth (Graham), Music of the Spheres (Sparke), On Alderley Edge (Graham), Rococo Variations (Gregson), Sounds (John Golland), The Essence Of Time (Peter Graham).

The Test Piece
Dove Descending by Philip Wilby

Dove Decending was written for the British Open Brass Band Championships of 1999 which was won by Yorkshire Building Society conducted by David King. The title is taken from the T.S. Eliot poem "Little Gidding" and is described by the composer as a Sonata in open tones. The performance requires a standard seating arrangement but in addition requires two groups of fanfare stands for ten cornet players which are to be placed in a five right/five left formation, plus three extra stands for trombones placed at a distance from the band and from each other. There is an optional organ part as well as the requirement to use a CD player. A seating plan is issued for the performing band to adhere to.

In essence the work is divided into two main parts, the first which the composer notes contains three elements - a heraldic fanfare, a musical picture of Time composed in the open tones of the harmonic series and then the Old Testament description of the coming of Christ. The second part by contrast is a beautiful solo prayer entitled Nativity which finally leads into a resolution and return of the coming of Christ.

The piece has proved to be immensely popular with both bands and audiences, even though it is a very long work in terms of time. It is though a very demanding work that only the very best bands can really make a true performance of.

Boroondara Brass
Conductor: Daniel Van Bergen