4BR is taking a 10,386 mile long haul flight to Australia this week to find out more about the banding world in the southern hemisphere.
The Australian National Championships will take place in Launceston, Tasmania from Friday 14th April until Monday 17th, and 4BR will be there to cover the action as it happens.
Current strength
It will be the second time that 4BR has made the trip, after enjoying the competition the last time it was held in Perth, Western Australia in 2013. Last year we found out a little bit more about the current strength of New Zealand banding in Napier.
Proudly hosted by the Tasmanian Bands League, the action starts on Friday with the set-test and hymn tune selections in each section. Saturday is left open for the traditional parade of bands and junior band sections, with Sunday seeing the climax of the event with the own-choice selections and stage march. Monday will see all the individual solo and ensemble competitions take place.
Tests
The top section A Grade set-work this year is 'Harrison's Dream' by Peter Graham, with the B Grade bands performing 'Penlee' by Simon Dobson. 'Visions' by Dan Price tests the C Grade competitors with 'The Journal of Phileas Fogg' the enjoyable challenge for those in the D Grade.
The Junior A Grade Bands will perform 'The Saga of Haakon the Good' with 'Diogenes' by Jacob de Haan the set-work for the Junior B Grade.
It will be the second time that 4BR has made the trip, after enjoying the competition the last time it was held in Perth, Western Australia in 20134BR
Judges
Nigel Seaman is also making the trip from Wales to adjudicate the contest (and will to New Zealand a week later to take on the role at the New Zealand Championships), and is part of a team that also includes Dr Kevin Cameron and Monte Mumford.
The event will also be live streamed by Brassbanned.com, so keep an eye out for the link so you can enjoy the playing as well.
