Dalewool Auckland Brass claimed the domestic bragging rights in their Area Association contest held at the Hawkins Theatre in Auckland recently.

Overall title

Under the baton of Nigel Weeks they took the overall title in the multi-disciplinary event for their major work/sacred item/march/solo/light music/public appeal elements to win by a comprehensive margin from rivals Waitakere Auckland Brass with North Shore Brass a point further back in third.

Dalewool also picked up a fine collection of trophies for their efforts from adjudicator Peter Adams, claiming the Jim Carson Memorial Cup (Major Work); International Military Music Society Trophy (March); Greg Moverley Memorial Trophy (Best Soloist — John Lewis); The Open Challenge Cup (Light Music); The Besson Trophy (Public Appeal) and Kennerley Memorial Trophy as Overall Champion.

North Shore Brass took the Skinner Shield by topping the Sacred Item discipline.

Section wins

In the B Section, victory went to Howick Brass who took the overall Vern Hogg Trophy as well as a clutch of individual awards over rivals Kumeu Brass and North Shore Brass Academy, whilst North Shore Youth took the honours and the Auckland Bands Association Cup in the Youth Section.

Best compere

There was a super atmosphere throughout the day, and there was a great deal of delight when 8 year old Emily Sullivan of North Shore Brass Academy was awarded the Peter Mason Trophy as 'Best Compere' in the senior Championship and B Grade events.

Emily plays cornet in the Band's Academy's learner group and won the award despite being up against adult conductors by telling the story of the band's performance with the help of her sister April (aged 6) and good friend Isabella Clark, aged 7) — and a special 'dream fairy' performer Rosalind Manowitz (all above).

Extra effort

"While all the comperes were adequate, only one really made the extra effort to tell a story,"said Entertainment Adjudicator Grant Sinclair, who is a professional trombone player with leading New Zealand orchestras.

"Emily's performance today was a fantastic asset to the band", said Academy Musical Director Trevor Clark. "It made our programme stand out for all the right reasons — and we are very proud of her."

Emily's performance today was a fantastic asset to the band. It made our programme stand out for all the right reasons — and we are very proud of her North Shore Academy Musical Director, Trevor Clark

Results:
Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Peter Adams
Major work/sacred item/march/solo/light music/public appeal = Total

1. Dalewool Auckland Brass: 144/44/47/47/44/41 = 367
2. Waitakere Auckland Brass: 141/45/45/46/43/39 = 359
3. North Shore Brass: 140/46/45/44/43/40 = 358
4. Auckland City Brass: 134/42/39/43/42/40 = 340

Best Soloist: John Lewis (Dalewool Auckland Brass)

B Section:
Adjudicator: Peter Adams
Major work/sacred item/march/solo/light music/public appeal = Total

1. Howick Brass: 130/38/36/35/37/37 = 313
2. Kumeu Brass: 125/32/34/36/37/38 = 302
3. North Shore Brass Academy: 124/34/33/34/36/37 = 298

Best Soloist: Jake Krishnamurti (Kumeu Brass)

Youth Band:
Adjudicator: Peter Adams
Music/Public Appeal = Total

1. North Shore Youth Brass: 40/40 = 80
2. Takapuna Grammar School: 38/39 = 77
3. Dalewool Youth Brass: 37/40 = 77
4. Kumeu Evolution Brass: 35/38 = 73

Best Soloist: Isabella Thomas (North Shore Youth)

Top School Brass Band: Takapuna Grammar School Brass

Best Compere: Emily Sullivan (North Shore Brass Academy)
Best Compere Youth Section: The Kumeu Kids

Jack McDonnell Memorial Cup for Outstanding Contribution to the Youth of ABA: Mark Close (Kumeu Brass)