The two heavyweight leviathans of New Zealand banding slugged it out in Blenheim on the weekend in a battle to see who would lift the National Trophy Gold Cup.

It provided contesting quality "just as good"as that on show at the recent European Championships, according to adjudicator Russell Gray, as Wellington Brass and Woolston Brass produced performances that on occasions left the Scotsman "stunned", especially on their own-choice renditions of Philip Sparke's 'Perihelion — Closer to the Sun'.

Half a point

In the end they were separated by just half a point after two days of engrossing competition, as Wellington's fifth victory at the event in the last six years reconfirmed their position as the premier contesting band in the southern hemisphere.

Behind them, Eastern Bay of Plenty was rewarded for their high-quality consistency to end third, whilst the remaining top-six places went to Waitakere Auckland Brass, North Shore Brass and the spirited Australian contender Darebin City Brass — Preston Band.

"This was a super contest,"Russell said before the announcement of the results. "The sacred items were interesting choices — refreshing and showing that real thinking had gone into to them."

Moving to the set-work, Peter Graham's 'The 39th Parallel', he added: "What a piece of music that was — really testing everyone, including the conductors. They had to have a PhD in maths to get from one section to the next. Nearly all got it although some bands struggled. Three performances stuck out."

However, when it came to the own-choices, he was in no doubt about the quality he had heard from the best on the day at the ASB Theatre. "I have to admit to being stunned to silence a few times — at least on two occasions,"he said. "It was great playing — near perfect.

To the winners — congratulations. Second, third and fourth on another day could have won. The standard was very high. The last contest I did was the Europeans — and this was just as good."

WOW!

Although Russell had to give an oral recorded adjudication for all bands (which he wittily apologised in advance for what he called his "constructive criticism"having to speak off the cuff straight into the microphone) his written remarks sheet for Wellington's performance of 'Perihelion' was a single 'WOW!' written in bold capital letters across the page.

Led by Cory Band Musical Advisor Nigel Seaman, the result saw Wellington claim the rare 'Double' of Australian and New Zealand National title wins in the same year — repeating their feat of 2015.

Nigel also emulated Nigel Weeks in becoming only the second Welshman to conduct winning bands at both A Grade Australasian events — and gave a heartfelt tribute to his band, as well as their nearest rivals, after he added the KGL Smith Memorial Trophy and Mervyn Waters Memorial Cup to his personal silverware collection as the winning conductor.

"Words almost fail me,"he said. "To come this far and spend the past month working with some of the nicest people I've ever met is more than a privilege — it's an honour. I can't speak highly enough of them. So much passion and effort was put into their performances."

Generously he added: "Woolston gave us a good run for our money, and I would like to dedicate the performance to Riki McDonnell. It's the first time he hasn't been with us this year. Thanks again to the band for their hospitality and efforts.

This contest really is a wonderful festival — not just within the hall but with the whole of Blenheim."

Nip and tuck

On the Friday, Wellington took the 'Sacred Item' honours with a tasteful rendition of 'Everlasting Hope', although it was a detailed, purposefully driven set-work from Woolston under Tyme Marsters (aided by their superb 'Best Basses') that saw the former champion head into the final day in front as they sought to win the title for the first time since 2012.

With both band's opting for Sparke's 'Perihelion' as their own-choice, Russell Gray was able to compare the virtues of a brace of high-class, if not error-free renditions from the leading contenders — his single point personal persuasion taken by the extra level of ensemble and solo security that was evident throughout Nigel Seaman's lyrical interpretation with Wellington. It proved just enough to give them the title by the closest of margins.

Principals

Elsewhere there was delight for Eastern Bay of Plenty as they marked just their second A Grade National appearance with a trio of polished accounts to secure a well-deserved podium finish — aided by the excellent principal cornet work of Chris Lawrence on their own-choice of 'Where Angels Fly'.

Cory principal cornet Tom Hutchinson took the 'Best Soloist' award in the set-work category to help Waitakere into fourth, whilst the Belgian cornet star Harmen Vanhoorne helped North Shore into fifth, despite two herniated discs in his back causing him great pain.

Although there was some debate throughout the weekend over the use of high profile 'guest players', the current rules allow for each band to field two 'professional' players, with a number of bands taking the opportunity to use their 'imports' as musical ambassador to try and attract new, home grown musical talent to their ranks through workshops and masterclasses in local schools.

That was certainly the case with Nigel Seaman, who will now return to Wales after a month of musical missionary work with a brace of southern hemisphere National titles to his name, whilst Wellington will look towards defending their crown in Hamilton in 2019 as once again the undisputed Australian and New Zealand champion band.

Grade champions

Elsewhere on what was a busy weekend of contesting, the B Grade Championship title also saw a close run battle, as Brass Whanganui led by Bruce Jellyman over Nelson City Brass, with Addington Brass in third.

Whanganui celebrated with the Championship Challenge Shield for the first time since 2010 as they topped the sacred item category playing 'The Father's Blessing' and set-work elements with 'Ouroboros' by Todd Smith, before Nelson City, marking their first year in the section, almost caught them with a splendid rendition of their own-choice of 'A London Overture'.

There was a clear victory for Howick Brass in the C Grade contest under MD Kerry Wood, as they regained the title they last won in 2013 in impressive fashion ahead of rivals Woolston Concert Brass and Levin & Districts Brass.

Roxburgh Pioneer Energy Brass retained the D Grade Memorial Challenge Shield led by John Buchanan — their fifth win at the event since 2006, whilst Nelson City Brass Academy was the single entrant in the Youth Section.

Outstanding

With 26 competitors taking part in the traditional Parade of Bands through the streets of Blenheim, good turn outs in the hard fought solo and ensemble competitions, the live streaming by brassbanned.com (which has been confirmed for 2019) hand the outstanding organisation and warm welcome of everyone involved, the 138th New Zealand Championships will be fondly remembered by a great many people — led by Wellington Brass.

I have to admit to being stunned to silence a few times — at least on two occasions. It was great playing — near perfectAdjudicator, Russell Gray

Results:

A Grade:

Adjudicator: Russell Gray
Set-work: The 39th Parallel (Peter Graham)
Sacred item/test/own-choice = Total

1. Wellington Brass (Nigel Seaman): 48.5/96/98 = 242.5
2. Woolston Brass (Tyme Marsters): 48/97/97 = 242.0
3. Eastern Bay of Plenty Brass (Alan Spence): 47.5/95/95 = 237.5
4. Waitakere Auckland Brass (Howard Taylor): 47/94/94 = 235.0
5. North Shore Brass (Colin Clark): 47/93/93 = 233.0
6. Darebin City Brass — Preston (Andrew Snell): 46/93/91 = 230
7. St Kilda Brass (Peter Adams): 46.5/92/89 = 227.5
8. Hamilton City Brass (Glenn Richards): 46.5/91/88 = 225.5
9. Marlborough District Brass (Kevin Moseley): 46/91/87 = 224.0
10. Leopard Coachlines Canterbury Brass (Dwayne Bloomfield): 46/90/86 = 222.0

Best Soloist in test-piece: Tom Hutchinson (Waitakere Auckland Brass)
Best Section in test-piece: Tubas (Woolston Brass)
Best Principal Cornet in own-choice: Chris Lawrence (Eastern Bay of Plenty)

B Grade:

Adjudicator: Russell Gray
Set-work: Ouroboros (Todd Rohan Smith)
Sacred item/test/own-choice = Total

1. Brass Whanganui (Bruce Jellyman): 46.5/95/89 = 230.5
2. Nelson City Brass (Nigel Weeks): 45.5/92/92 = 229.5
3. Addington Brass (Dave Fiu): 44.5/90/93 = 227.5
4. Deco Bay Brass (Robbie Cargill): 45/91/90 = 226.0
5. Hutt City Brass (Mark Davey): 44.5/93/87 = 224.5
6. The Devon Hotel New Plymouth Brass (Leigh Martin): 44.5/89/85 = 218.5
7. Alpine Energy Timaru (Shane Foster): 46/88/84 = 218.0
8. Trust Porirua City Brass (Clynton Payne): 45/87/86 = 218.0

Best Soloist in test-piece: Andrew Toy (flugel) — Brass Whanganui)
Best Principal Cornet in own-choice: Nicholas Garrett (Trust Porirua City Brass)

C Grade:

Adjudicator: Mareika Gray
Set-work: A Theme Fading (Jack Bewley)
Sacred item/test/own-choice = Total

1. Howick Brass (Kerry Wood): 45/93/91 = 229.0
2. Woolston Concert Brass (Nick Johnson): 43.5/88/94 = 225.5
3. Levin & Districts Brass (Colin Honey): 42.5/90/90 = 222.5
4. Westport Municipal Band (Nathan Keoghan): 42/89/57 = 218.0
5. Te Awamutu Brass (Sarah Robertson): 43/87/88 = 218.0
6. Mosgiel Brass (Philip Craigie): 42/87/87 = 216.0

D Grade:

Adjudicator: Mareika Gray
Set-work: Own- choice
Set Hymn: Repton (arr. Peter Maunder)
Sacred item/own-choice/street march = Total

1. Roxburgh Pioneer Energy Brass (John Buchanan): 90/89/90 = 269.0
2. Nor'west Brass (Dale Vail): 89/87/89 = 265.0
3. Motueka District Brass (John Rimmer): 88/88/88 = 264.0

Youth Grade:

Adjudicator: Mareika Gray
Own-choice plus stage march and fun concert piece

1. Nelson City Brass Academy (Nigel Weeks): 90/90/90 = 270.0

Best Soloist: Ned Rainey (kit percussion) — Nelson City Brass Academy