The New Zealand National Championships are currently taking place in New Plymouth, where the traditional solo and ensemble championships are already underway.

Major award

The first major award of the festival has already been won, with cornet player David Maas of Brass Wanganui beating off a strong group of invited rivals to win the prestigious ITL Engineering Invitation Slow Melody title.

Meditation

David had earlier won the Open Slow Melody title to enable him to join the elite field, where he gave a stunning performance of ‘Meditation from Thais’ by Massenet to pip Bb tuba virtuoso Philip Johnston and cornet star John Lewis to the Blue Riband award, with a highly commended performance from euphonium player Byron Newton close behind.

Chief Adjudicator Steven Bulla declared that he was impressed with the artistry from all performers with the bar set so high, and although it was hard to separate them, all three judges were unanimous in their choice of winner.

Merit

The judges assisting Steven Bulla were New Zealand stalwarts Kevin Dell and Kevin Jarrett, with the latter presented with a well deserved 70 year merit certificate from the Brass Bands Association of New Zealand.

Result:

1. David Maas (Brass Wanganui)
2. Philip Johnston (Woolston Brass)
3. John Lewis (Dalewool Auckland Brass)

Highly Commended: Byron Newton (Wellington Brass)

Junior Champion of Champions:

Earlier in the evening the Junior Champion of Champions was won by up and coming Eb tuba player Jordan Seaton of Woolston Brass, who beat off the challenge of the talented duo of flugel player Jessica Schweizer and percussionist Dominic Jacuemard of New Playmouth.

Result:

1. Jordan Seaton (Woolston Brass)
2. Jessica Schweizer (Matamata Brass)
3. Dominic Jacquemard (New Plymouth)

With thanks to Owen Melhuish