A highly successful rebranding and repackaging of the innovative Australian FABBFEST event has taken place with the running of the BRASSFEST festival in Brisbane this weekend.

New partnership

The new partnership between Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), the Federation of Australasian Brass Bands (FABB) and Yamaha Music Australia, saw the event return after a one year absence, boosted by an increase in competitor numbers.

Treble

However, there was no repackaging required for National champion Brisbane Excelsior, as they made it a domestic ‘treble’ by claiming the Yamaha Australasian Open and the Yamaha Australasian Entertainment Championship titles in Brisbane.

Led by MD Howard Taylor, they picked up twin cheques of AUD $5000 for winning both events, with a fine performance of the former British Open set work, ‘On the Shoulders of Giants’ followed the next day by their own choice entertainment programme.

Seven competitors performed before the experienced judges David Gallaher and Peter Luff, with bands also able to choose whether or not to part in the Queensland State Championships (QBA) held nearby, boosting their number of entrants in the A Grade of the Queensland Championships from three to five.

No denying

There was to be no denying Brisbane however, as they repelled the challenge of St Mary’s Brass directed by Ben Crocker, playing ‘Montage’, with Warringah Brass, conducted by John Saunders in third, with ‘Music for Battle Creek’.

There was a wide diversity of own choice selection made on the day with Footscray playing ‘Music of the Spheres’, Brisbane Brass, ‘Dances & Alleluias’, South Brisbane, ‘Between the Moon and Mexico’, Glenorchy, ‘Red Priest’ and Boorondara, ‘Remembrance’.

Entertainment triumph

In the entertainment stakes, Brisbane once again triumphed with St Mary’s taking the runner-up sport ahead of South Brisbane Federal directed by Louisa Lawless.

Support

FABB Chairman Rick Casagrande told 4BR: "The support provided by QPAC and its production team has been unwavering in bringing this event to fruition, but particularly the vision of its Chief Executive John Kotzas has been paramount in making and shaping BRASSFEST in 2013."

He added: "Last year we were not able to secure a suitable venue to replace the Twin Towns Services Club, but now we have a world class performance hall in the Concert Hall at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) on the South Bank of Brisbane."

Gala concert

The Sunday entertainment event also saw a gala concert performance by the newly crowned champions who accompanied stars Riki McDonnell and Black Dyke principal trombone Brett Baker.

Thee wee also fine performances from euphonium star Adam Bokaris, Champion of Champion winner Dominic Longhurst, Thomas Allely, Todd Burk, Amanda Casagrande and Mike Ford.

Led by MD Howard Taylor, they picked up twin cheques of AUD $5000 for winning both events, with a fine performance of the former British Open set work, ‘On the Shoulders of Giants’ followed the next day by their own choice entertainment programme4BR

Results:
2013 Yamaha Australasian Open:
Adjudicators: David Gallaher & Peter Luff

1. Brisbane Excelsior (Howard Taylor)
2. St Mary’s Brass (Ben Crocker)
3. Warringah Brass (John Sanders)
4. Footscray Yarraville City (Phillipa Edwards)
5. Brisbane Brass (Bill Barker)
6. South Brisbane Federal (Louisa Lawless)
7. Glenorchy City Concert (Simon Cawthorne)
8. Boorondara Brass (Danny Van Bergen)

2013 Yamaha Australasian Entertainment Championship:
Adjudicators: David Gallaher & Peter Luff

1. Brisbane Excelsior (Howard Taylor)
2. St Mary’s Brass (Ben Crocker)
3. South Brisbane Federal (Louisa Lawless)
4. Warringah Brass (John Sanders)
5. Footscray Yarraville City (Phillipa Edwards)
6. Boorondara Brass (Danny Van Bergen)
7. Glenorchy City Concert Brass (Simon Cawthorne)