Warringah Concert Brass led the way at the recent Band Association of New South Wales Championships held at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith.
Conducted by John Saunders, a trio of excellent performances of their sacred item 'Peace', the set-work, 'A Brussels Requiem' and their own-choice of 'Metropolis 1927' saw them gain a clear four-point margin of victory over rivals City of Holroyd, who choose 'Pageantry' and 'How Great Thou Art'.
Very pleased
It also saw the band retain the title — their third success at the A Grade level under their MD, who told 4BR: "We were very pleased with our performances and it is always good to be able to retain a title.
Dr Childs gave constructive, encouraging comments and observations and we are now looking forward to preparing for the National Championships in Brisbane next Easter."
Grade title wins
In the B Grade it was a commanding Gunnadah Shire Band who claimed their first State title since 2015 under Anthony Rowe — securing success by a seven point margin thanks to fine renditions of the set-work, 'Christ — Hymn' by Robert Redhead as well as their own-choice of 'Royal Parks' and the sacred item, 'Swedish Folk Song'.
2016 champion Toronto Brass was runner-up for the second year in a row with Waratah Brass (Newcastle) in third. Defending champion Parramatta City could only end sixth in defence of their title.
Southern Brass conducted by Andy Yule claimed the C Grade title, whilst Brisbane Water Brass retained the D Grade honours. City of Wollongong Brass Junior and St George Brass won the Junior Grade titles.
Dr Childs gave constructive, encouraging comments and observations and we are now looking forward to preparing for the National Championships in Brisbane next EasterMD, John Saunders
Results:
A Grade:
Adjudicator: Dr Robert Childs
Test/Own-Choice/Sacred Item = Total
1. Warringah Concert Brass (John Saunders): 96/97/47 = 240
2. Holroyd Brass Band (Richard Sandham): 94/96/46 = 236
B Grade:
Adjudicator: Dr Robert Childs
Test/Own-Choice/Sacred Item = Total
1. Gunnedah Shire Band (Anthony Rowe): 95/96/46 = 237
2. Toronto Brass (Tim O'Hearn): 93/92/45 = 230
3. Waratah Brass (Newcastle) (Stephen Grice): 92/93/44 = 229
4. Canberra Brass (John Thompson): 90/94/42 = 226
5. Manly District Band (Damian Butler): 89/90/47 = 226
6. Parramatta City Band (Jonathan Gatt): 91/91/43 = 225
C Grade:
Adjudicator: Dr Robert Childs
Test/Own-Choice/Sacred Item = Total
1. Southern Brass (Andy Yule): 96/94/47 = 237
2. Newcastle PCY Brass (Teena Wallace): 94/93/46 = 233
3. South West Sydney Brass (Eddie Claxton): 91/95/45 = 231
4. Bankstown City Brass (Ken Bradley): 92/92/44 = 228
5. City of Wollongong Brass (Jonathan Gatt): 93/91/43 = 227
6. Maitland City Brass (Luke Bradbery): 90/89/42 = 221
D Grade:
Adjudicator: Dr Robert Childs
Test/Own-Choice/Concert Item = Total
1. Brisbane Water Brass (Michael Forsyth): 94/45/94 = 233
2. City Wollongong Brass Junior (Des Cannings): 93/46/91 = 230
3. Central West Brass (Matthew Gately): 92/43/92 = 227
4. St George Brass (Lauren Faulks): 91/44/90 = 225
Junior B Grade:
Adjudicator: Dr Robert Childs
Test/Own-Choice/Sacred Item = Total
1. City of Wollongong Brass Junior (Des Canning): 90/91/46 = 227
Junior C Grade:
Adjudicator: Dr Robert Childs
Test/Own-Choice/Sacred Item = Total
1. St George Brass (Lauren Faulks): 92/90/45 = 227
