Darebin City Brass — Preston Band claimed their fourth consecutive Victoria State A Grade Championship title last weekend in the beautiful gold-rush era town of Ballarat, north west of Melbourne.
Largest margin
Under the baton of Andrew Snell they produced excellent performances of the set-work, 'REM-scapes' by Thomas Doss, alongside their hymn tune, stage march and concert item to take the honours at the historic Her Majesty's Theatre.
The contest, which forms part of the 125-year-old Royal South Street Society festival, saw adjudicator Kevin Cameron rewarded Darebin's overall performance with the largest winning margin of any of its four victories as they repelled the strong challenge of rivals Footscray-Yarraville City, Glenorchy City Concert Brass and Kew Band Melbourne.
Hat-trick
Victory also marked a personal hat-trick with the band for conductor Andrew Snell, as the former Grimethorpe Colliery star led them (above) to an imposing six-point margin on the demanding set-work in addition to clear victories on the hymn and march disciplines — although a superb xylophone duet from Footscray-Yarraville took the concert item honours.
B Grade
In the B Grade contest it was reigning National Champion Boroondara Brass that claimed the honours under Daniel van Bergen. Theirs was a clear cut margin of victory, helped by a sparkling rendition of the set-work, 'The Saga of Haakon the Good' by Philip Sparke over rivals Hawthorn and third placed Geelong West Brass.
C Grade
In the C Grade contest it was City of Traralgon led by Broden Ford to regain the title they last won in 2014, as they beat off the challenge of Wonthaggi Citizen's Band and defending champion Moonee Valley Brass.
D Grade and Youth
Creswick Brass Band claimed their first State Championship title in the D Grade since 2012 as MD Katrina Bird led the band to success over nearest rivals Ararat City Band with Croydon Citizen's Brass in third, whilst Hyde Street Youth took the Youth honours.
Under the baton of Andrew Snell they produced excellent performances of the set-work, 'REM-scapes' by Thomas Doss, alongside their hymn tune, stage march and concert item to take the honours4BR
Results:
Open A Grade:
Hymn/Set-Work/Concert Item/March
Adjudicator: Kevin Cameron
1. Darebin City Brass — Preston Band (Andrew Snell): 43/90/44/45 = 222
2. Footscray-Yarraville City (Philippa Edwards): 41/84/45/43 = 213
3. Glenorchy City Concert Brass (Simon Cawthorn): 39/82/41/42 = 204
4. Kew Band Melbourne (Tom Paulin): 40/80/38/41 = 199
Open B Grade:
Hymn/Set-Work/Concert Item/March
Adjudicator: Kevin Cameron
1. Boroondara Brass (Daniel van Bergen): 44/90/45/43 = 222
2. Hawthorn Band (Wayne Bowden): 42/86/41/42 = 211
3. Geelong West Brass (Jeff Steele): 40/84/43/41 = 208
4. Darebin City Brass — Northern Brass (Jamie Lawson): 41/82/42/36 = 201
5. Canberra Brass (N/K): 38/76/40/39 = 193
6. Diamond Valley Brass (Martin Scrimshaw): 36/80/37/38 = 191
Open C Grade:
Hymn/Set-Work/Concert Item/March
Adjudicator: Kevin Cameron
1. Traralgon City Band (Broden Ford): 40/86/44/43 = 213
2. Wonthaggi Citizen's Band (Craig Marinus): 40/83/41/41 = 205
3. Moonee Valley Brass (N/K): 39/82/42/38 = 201
4. City of Greater Bendigo Brass (Cally Bartlett): 37/80/42/39 = 198
5. Western Brass (Erin Ellenburg): 38/74/41/40 = 193
6. Sunshine Community Brass (N/K): 38/77/35/40 = 189
7. Boroondara Harmony Brass (Doug Lewis): 36/77/40/36 = 189
8. Frankston City Band (Kevin Morgan): 36/76/39/37 = 188
Open D Grade:
Hymn/Set-Work/Concert Item/March
Adjudicator: Kevin Cameron
1. Creswick Brass (Katrina Bird): 40/84/41/42 = 207
2. Ararat City Band (Wally Pope): 41/76/42/43 = 202
3. Croydon Citizen's Brass (N/K): 39/78/38/41 = 196
4. Sale City (N/K): 38/79/38/40 = 195
5. Warragui Municipal (Ben Sim): 36/74/38/39 = 187
6. Hyde Street Youth (Murray Walker): 35/72/38/36 = 181
Junior C Grade:
1. Hyde Street Youth (N/K): 78/34/38 = 150
2. Bendigo Youth Brass (N/K): 74/35/33 = 142
