Having made the trip to the 2015 event in Sydney only to finish runner-up, Brisbane Excelsior returned to Gawler near Adelaide in South Australia to reclaim the famous Fireman's Helmet Trophy by winning the Australian National title in what was truly 'spectacular' fashion.

That was the single adjective used by adjudicator Dwayne Bloomfield to describe the performance under MD Howard Taylor of their own-choice section of Oliver Waespi's 'Audivi Media Nocte', which secured the title for the eighth time since 2005 in commanding fashion.

Foundation

Earlier they had produced a fine account of the set-work, 'Albion' by Jan van der Roost, as well as their hymn selection 'The Candle of the Lord' by Joy Webb, to lay the foundation of a victory which was sealed by a robust 'Knight Templar' march and a rendition of the former European Championship set-work that left the adjudicator breathless in admiration.

"Spectacular! Well done conductor and band. That's all I have to say about this,"Dwayne Bloomfield scribbled onto his remarks sheet as Brisbane secured victory by winning all four disciplines of the contest.

Thrilled

Band President Gareth Lawless told 4BR: "We're thrilled with the result and very proud that this remarkable group of musicians continues to perform at such a world class level.

The approach and determination of the band to push to new heights under Howard Taylor's inspirational direction was shown on the weekend in Gawler. We are delighted by the success, but determined to add to it in the future."

He added: "Being able to bring back the Fireman's Helmet is only part of what we want to achieve — and we have a number of exciting new musical avenues opening up for us."

Underlines

Victory once again underlines their credentials as arguably the finest band in the southern hemisphere, as they Brisbane XLCR led home a brave but rather forlorn challenge from eight well beaten rivals — headed by Central Coast Brass from New South Wales.

They claimed second place, their best ever finish at the Nationals under MD Conrad Curry, thanks to solidly delivered accounts of set-work, plus their hymn of 'Beautiful World', the march, 'Mephistopheles' and their own-choice test-piece selection of 'The Triumph of Time'.

Delighted third

Third place went to the delighted Victorians of Footscray-Yarraville City directed by Phillipa Edwards, who performed the hymn, 'Peace' alongside the march, 'Ravenswood' and the intriguing own-choice selection of 'The Maid of Orleans' by Todd Smith.

Behind them came a series of inconsistent bands, led by fourth placed Brisbane Brass No 1, ahead of to-six finishers Kensington & Norwood and Darebin City Brass in a contest which saw a number of ambitious own-choices selections on show — from a brace of 'Audivi Media Nocte' and 'Journey of the Lone Wolf' to 'Spiriti' and 'Earthrise'.

History

Brisbane's success has now likened to that of the great St John Ambulance Band from New South Wales who won six titles between 1948 and 1956 and Hawthorn who claimed eight titles from 1985 to 1995, as the Fireman's Helmet Trophy (first presented in 1971) once again returned to their trophy cabinet.

B Grade:

There was a fine victory to celebrate for Boroondara Brass, as under Daniel van Bergen as they bounced back following their relegation from the top flight with their first B Grade National success.

It also saw the band deny Cairns Brass the chance to successfully defend their title, as renditions of the set-work, 'Blazon', plus the hymn selection of 'In Christ Alone', the march, 'The President' and their own-choice selection of 'Abaddon — The Fallen Angel' beat off their rival's strong challenge.

Under Jon Christodoulides, they performed 'In Perfect Peace' alongside 'Cornish Cavalier' and Edward Gregon's 'Essay', the work that caused so many problems in the First Section Regional contests in the UK this year. Third place went to Toronto Brass from New South Wales, whose own-choice selection was 'Sounds' by John Golland.

C Grade:

Latrobe Federal Band went one better than 2015 as they claimed the C Grade National title under the direction of MD Geoff Dell — their victory secured by a outstanding performance of the set-work, 'Chorale & Toccata' and their hymn choice of 'A Clare Benediction'.

It gave the Tasmanian band something of a comfort zone, as a nervous rendition of their own-choice selection of 'Music for a Festival' could only finish fourth behind their rivals, although with their march performance of 'Viva Burkinshaw' it was still enough to win by a comfortable six point margin.

In an odd coincidence it was the first time the band had won the title since 2004 — also playing 'Chorale & Toccata' as the set-work.

Promoted Goldfields Brass Band from Western Australia, couldn't quite recover lost ground, despite a fine table topping performance of 'Oregon' as their own-choice selection, whilst third place went to Boroondara Harmony Brass.

D Grade:

The D Grade National title was won by Arrat City Band from Victoria, who produced repelled a strong challenge from South Australian rival Warriparinga Brass and fellow Victorians Hyde Street Youth Band.

Under the baton of Wally Pope, they took the honours on the set-work, 'Anglian Dances', their hymn selection of 'Deep Harmony' and the prophetically named march, 'Second to None' — although their own choice test-piece selection of 'Broken Sword' didn't impress as much as Warriparinga's 'Penlee'.

Junior National titles went to Gunnedah Shire Band, Just Brass Geelong and Hyde Street Youth Band.

Brisbane's success has now likened to that of the great St John Ambulance Band from New South Wales who won six titles between 1948 and 1956 and Hawthorn who claimed eight titles from 1985 to 19954BR

Results:

Open A Grade:
Hymn + Test Piece + Own Choice + Stage March = Total
Set Work: Albion (Jan van der Roost)
Adjudicator: Dwayne Bloomfield

1. Brisbane Excelsior (QLD): (Howard Taylor): 47/197/197/45 = 486
2. Central Coast Brass (NSW): (Conrad Curry): 43/195/195/41 = 474
3. Footscray-Yarraville City Band (VIC): (Phillipa Edwards): 46/193/193/38 = 470
4. Brisbane Brass No. 1 (QLD): (Josh McKechie): 42/194/190/39 = 465
5. Kensington & Norwood Brass (SA): (Mark Ford): 44/191/186/42 = 463
6. Darebin City Brass — Preston Band (VIC): (Andrew Snell): 42/192/191/37 = 462
7. South Brisbane Federal (QLD): (Mareika Gray): 40/186/192/44 = 462
8. Tanunda Town Band (SA): (Bruce Raymond): 45/190/188/35 = 458
9. Warringah Concert Brass (NSW): (John Saunders): 41/187/188/40 = 456

Open B Grade:
Hymn + Test Piece + Own Choice + Stage March = Total
Set Work: Blazon (Peter Graham)
Adjudicator: Michael Dowrick

1. Boroondara Brass (VIC): (Daniel van Bergen): 47/190/183/39 = 459
2. Cairns Brass (QLD): (Jon Christodoulides): 46/189/179/42 = 456
3. Toronto Brass (NSW): (Timothy O'Hearn): 48/188/177/39 = 452
4. Surfers Paradise Brass (QLD): (Scott King): 45/186/178/43 = 452
5. Gunnedah Shire Band (NSW): (Anthony Rowe): 43/184/184/38 = 449
6. Brisbane Brass No. 2 (QLD): (Dr Rob McWilliams): 39/180/181/37 = 437
7. City of Greater Dandenong Band (VIC): (Michael Mathers): 41/181/175/36 = 433
8. Darebin City Brass — Northern Brass (VIC): (Jamie Lawson): 40/177/176/40 = 433
9. Marion City Band (SA): (Veronica Boulton): 38/178/180/35 = 431
10. Maroondah Brass (VIC): (Ron Moore): 36/177/176/41 = 430
11. Geelong West Brass Band (VIC): (Jeff Steele): 35/175/182/37 = 429

Open C Grade:
Hymn + Test Piece + Own Choice + Stage March = Total
Set Work: Chorale and Toccata (Stephen Bulla)
Adjudicator: Darryl Pope

1. Latrobe Federal Band (TAS): (Geoff Dell): 46/184/174/43 = 447
2. Goldfields Brass Band (WA): (Graeme Cruickshanks): 42/176/179/44 = 441
3. Boroondara Harmony Brass (VIC): (Mateusz Gwizdalla): 44/177/173/45 = 439
4. Town of Victoria Park Brass Band (WA): (Steven Hamer): 42/175/176/42 = 435
5. Maitland City Brass Band (NSW): (Luke Bradbury): 43/178/169/42 = 432
6. Salisbury City Band (SA): (Adrienne Meikle): 42/176/173/40 = 431
7. Mitcham City Brass (SA): (Steven Packer): 40/174/175/41 = 430
8. Hahndorf Town Band (SA): (Philip Paine): 41/175/173/39 = 428
9. City of Greater Bendigo Brass Band (VIC): (Cally Bartlett): 41/180/156/39 = 416
10. Enfield Brass (SA): (Shayne Tarling): 42/176/156/39 = 413

Open D Grade:
Hymn + Test Piece + Own Choice + Stage March = Total
Set Work: Anglian Dances (Alan Fernie)
Adjudicator: Darryl Pope

1. Ararat City Band (VIC): (Wally Pope): 42/170/177/44 = 433
2. Warriparinga Brass (SA): (Veronica Boulton):40/165/181/43 = 429
3. Hyde Street Youth Band (VIC): (Murray Walker): 38/163/164/39 = 404

Junior A Grade:
Hymn + Test Piece + Own Choice + Stage March = Total
St Work: Fanfares & Love Songs (Gavin Higgins)
Adjudicator: Dwayne Bloomfield

1. Gunnedah Shire Band (NSW): 36/178/180/40 = 434

Junior B Grade:
Hymn + Test Piece + Own Choice + Stage March = Total
Adjudicator: Dwayne Bloomfield

1. Just Brass Geelong (VIC): 30/166/161/38 = 395

Junior C Grade:
Hymn + Test Piece + Own Choice + Stage March = Total
Adjudicator: Dwayne Bloomfield

1. Hyde Street Youth Band (VIC): 32/160/160/34 = 386