Brisbane Excelsior Band reinforced its domestic dominance at the recent Queensland State Band Championships sponsored by Yamaha Musical Instruments, held at the Redcliffe Cultural Centre.
World class band
Their victory in the A Grade event was described as coming from 'a world class band' according to adjudicator Maureen Cameron — an opinion rather reinforced by the margin of victory — a whopping 17 points over rivals South Brisbane Federal, with Brisbane Brass a further three points behind in third.
Brisbane combined a quartet of superbly crafted performances under MD Howard Taylor of the set-work, 'The Raid' by Oliver Waespi and their own-choice work, 'Partita' by Philip Sparke, alongside their march and sacred item pieces to add the Baxter Shield honours to go with the New Zealand National title they won earlier in the year. It was the first time the band had won the event since 2011.
Defending champion South Brisbane Federal produced solid accounts of the set-work and their own-choice item, 'The Year of the Dragon' to come runner-up, with Brisbane Brass playing 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth'.
Section victories
In the B Grade there was a victory for Brisbane Brass 2, whilst the C Grade title went to Sunshine Brass. Sunnybank No 2 Band was the sole competitor in the D Grade.
Their victory in the A Grade event was described as coming from 'a world class band' according to adjudicator Maureen Cameron — an opinion rather reinforced by the margin of victory4BR
Results:
A Grade:
Adjudicator: Maureen Cameron
Test Piece/Own Choice/Sacred Item/Stage March = Total
1. Brisbane Excelsior (Howard Taylor): 196/195/95/92 = 558
2. South Brisbane Federal (Owen Clarke): 189/193/89/90 = 561
3. Brisbane Brass (Joshua McKechie): 190/190/90/88 = 558
B Grade:
Adjudicator: Maureen Cameron
Test Piece/Own Choice/Sacred Item/Stage March = Total
1. Brisbane Brass No 2 (Greg Aitken): 541
2. Surfers Paradise Brass (Scott King): 536
3. Windsor Brass (Stuart Lang): 527
C Grade:
Adjudicator: Maureen Cameron
Test Piece/Own Choice/Sacred Item/Stage March = Total
1. Sunshine Brass (Nelson Oakley): 534
2. Capricornia Silver Band (Rod Haynes): 530
3. Yellow Cabs Bayside Brass (Jennifer Owens): 522
D Grade:
Adjudicator: Maureen Cameron
Test Piece/Own Choice/Sacred Item/Stage March = Total
1. Sunnybank Brass No 2 (Matthew White): 539