Results

Hymn+Test+March=Total; Entertainment

A Grade: RAS(WA) (Alan Lourens), 48+98+49=195; 95
B Grade: Canning (Geoffrey Lowe), 48+97+48=193; 91
C Grade: Town of Victoria Park Brass (Steven Harmer), 43+93+47=183; 89
D Grade:
Busselton (Nicky Hair), 45+90+46=181; 85
Goldfieds (Keith Nathan), 46+85+44=175; 94

Highest Placed Country Band: Busselton Shire Brass Band
Best Entertainment Program: City of Perth Brass Band (Brian Underwood)
Best Entertainment Brass Band: RAS(WA)
Best player: Sarah Draper Solo horn RAS(WA)

Adjudicator: Major Peter O'Connor

As the day unfolded...

The day began at 1100 with the Goldfields Brass Band directed by Keith Nathan playing their march — Southern Cross by Percy Code. Goldfields was one of three country bands to appear at this year's contest.

The audience was swelled by a number of primary school brass players from Singapore, but more about that later.

The D Grade Test was Four Little Maids (Carr) and it was only a few bars in when the the MD became detached from his baton. Unfortunately just catching on his music stand, the baton took flight and executed three perfect somersaults before landing in amongst the horn section. Not to be distracted the MD and the band carried on like true professionals until the end of the first movement when the MD took the opportunity to retrieve his wayward stick.

City of Perth Brass Band were up next under the direction of Brian Underwood. This band were in "Festival Brass" grade, meaning they were giving a concert performance and not competing. A varied program entertained the crowd. Items included a vocal solo (Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again) by back row cornet player Trish Gardner, and flugel soloist Geoff Collins with Rodrigo's Concerto de Aranjuez.

The band welcomed third cornet player Dr Jen to the ranks as soon as she arrived from her shift at the local hospital.

After lunch it was Busselton Shire Brass Band with their MD Nicky Hair. Busselton are recently back from the Nationals in Tasmania where they were placed 3rd in D Grade.

Presentation

Following their performance, WABA President Tony Schraven presented cornet player John Piper with the inaugural Allan Conroy Trophy for WA Bandsperson of the Year. Allan who was heavily involved with banding including holding the position as President of Midland Brick Brass for many years, sadly passed away earlier this year after a battle against Motor Neurone Disease. John Piper was recognised for his 60 years of service to the Busselton Shire Brass Band for which he also received a certificate from the NBCA.

Great Improvement

Town of Victoria Park Brass with their MD Steven Harmer performed in C Grade before Canning City Brass Band directed by Dr. Geoffrey Lowe took to the stage in B Grade. Canning City put on a terrific show and have shown great improvement over recent times since appointing Geoff as their MD. In keeping with events of the day, Dr. Lowe also lost his baton, although in much less spectacular style. A mere plummet to the floor by his feet this time. Canning will be heading off to the 2011 Nationals in South Australia full of confidence.

Packed Auditorium

Following afternoon tea, Royal Agricultural Society of WA Brass with MD Dr. Alan Lourens gave us their offerings in A Grade. Just back from the Nationals in Tasmania, they played Extreme Makeover (de Meij) and received rapturous applause from the packed auditorium.

Singapore Visitors

Whilst results were being collated, we were thoroughly entertained by St Stephen's & St Anthony's Primary Schools Combined Brass Band who were visiting from Singapore. With a line up of 7 cornets, flugel, 3 horns, trombone, euphonium, 2 baritones, 2 basses and 4 percussionists they thrilled the crowd with their high standard of playing.

Although not conducting on the day, their MD is David Glosz. These kids were a credit to their MD, their schools and their country. Sitting patiently in the audience all day their performance was thoroughly worth the wait.

2013 Nationals Bid

WABA will be presenting the NBCA with a bid in the next few weeks for the 2013 Nationals. If successful it will be the first time the Nationals has been held in Perth since 1979.