Sydney City Brass retained possession of the Grade A Championship Section title as the Australian National Championships and 44 bands returned to competitive action after a four-year Covid-19 enforced break.

Under the direction of Jason Katsikaris they claimed the famous Fireman's Helmet Championship Trophy in Newcastle, New South Wales after a neck and neck battle with rivals Brisbane Excelsior — eventually securing victory by virtue of gaining a higher mark for their test-piece performance after the two heavyweights ended up on the same overall points tally.

Third place went to Darebin City Brass — Preston Band, with the remaining top-six slots filled by Willoughby City Band, Footscray-Yarraville City Band and Brisbane Brass.

Future and tradition

Adjudicator Dr Robert Childs spoke of his pleasure of hearing the bands in both the top and D Grade Section on the weekend. He reserved special congratulations for Jared McCunnie, the composer of the A Grade test-piece, 'Siege', which he said, offered both "one foot in the future" as well as "traditional values" in its "strong, if tragic narrative."

"Different values" he added appeared in the own-choice selection, as he gave a detailed analysis of what he heard over the two days. And whilst he praised bands and MDs, he also ensured no-one was left in any doubt that some had engaged in what he called "bandsman's bluff" and "smoke and mirrors" in their performances.

"Remember, I have the scores in front on me," he said, as he pinpointed both good and poor dynamic balances, tempo choices and intonation, as well as percussion integration and even BBb tuba pedalling.

Best performance

"I had to judge the best performance", he said, adding that he felt that there were "two or three, maybe four, world class level performances" that he felt would stand against "the very best in the world."

He added, "That is why I may appear to be critical of even the finest", although ultimately it was the "X Factor when the hairs on the neck stand" he said, "that made it easy to identify the best". He added, "Two or three did that."

Sydney quality

It was Sydney City Brass, a compilation band made up of players not regularly performing with Australian bands, as well as guest performers from New Zealand and even Norway, that came out on top once again, as Jason Katsikaris led high quality accounts of 'Siege' and their own-choice selection of Philip Wilby's 'Revelation'.

It saw them gain top marks in the set-work and hymn tune disciplines (playing Wilfred Heaton's 'Just As I Am') whilst they were placed second on the own-choice, and third for their march rendition of 'The Wizard'.

"We've been reigning champion for four years," a delighted and "dead sober" Jason Katsikaris said (a cheeky reference back to a former post-victory speech), as he took to the podium microphone to thank Bob Childs as well as his band.

"Bob is a master — and knows his stuff. His 'Revelation' from the European Championships has been on my mind for 20 years and was a great inspiration. We learn from what you guys do. Thanks to the band. You are marvellous players and marvellous folk, and I love you very much."

Photo-finish

Former champion Brisbane Excelsior could have done no more to reclaim the title, as Alan Spence led consistent high-quality renditions of the set-work, hymn 'Love Unknown', march 'The President' and own-choice selection of 'No Man's Land' by Thierry Deleruyelle. Their principal cornet, Dale Hosking claimed the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.

The latter brace on the Sunday afternoon came out on top in their disciplines, but it still wasn't quite enough come the photo-finish for the Queenslanders to claim a ninth title and a first since 2016.

Third place went to the Victorians of Darebin City Brass — Preston Band led by Broden Ford, as they produced a quartet of fine performances of the set-work, hymn 'Dear Lord and Father of Mankind', '...Dove Descending' and 'The Contestor' to secure their first podium finish since 2017.

Elite level

The top three bands certainly performed to the elite level over the two days, with Jared McCunnie's work asking questions of rhythmic coherence and balance as well as mixing visceral drama with heartfelt and well observed pathos. The reflective ending, subdued in dynamic but still retaining a proud sense of positivity was reminiscent of Eric Ball's 'Resurgam'.

Fourth placed Willoughby City Band (Dominic Longhurst), produced a brace of exciting performances especially on their own-choice rendition of 'Audivi Media Nocte', as they gave notice of their potential title winning aspirations, whilst there was much to enjoy from the other top-six finishers of Footscray-Yarraville City Band (Brenton Burley) and Brisbane Brass (Josh McKechie).

B Grade:

In the B Grade, David Bremner had no fewer than 56 different set-work, own-choice, hymn and march renditions to compare and contrast, with the contest of 14 well matched bands in the Town Hall ending after the Championship A Grade results had been announced.

In the end there was a clear victory for Boroondara Brass, as they claimed their third National title under Daniel van Bergen since 2016. It came courtesy of strong performances of the set-work, 'Hope' by Dorothy Gates and their hymn tune, 'The Garden', to add to their own-choice selection of the exciting 'The Chronicle of Anne Bonny' by Jared McCunnie and march, 'Temple 85' by Norman Bearcroft.

Former A Grade champion Gunnedah Shire Band was second, as they couldn't quite chase their rivals down despite an outstanding own-choice rendition of 'Hannibal' by Mario Burki. Third place went to Geelong West Brass Band (Jeff Steele), with the remaining top-six places going to City of Greater Dandenong Band, Cairns Brass No 1 Band and Brisbane Brass 2.

C Grade:

One of the most exciting young conducting talents in Australian banding certainly made his mark on the weekend, as Dominic Longhurst led Willoughby Band No.2 to the C Grade title.

He managed to juggle his commitments in leading the organisation's senior sibling to a fine fourth place finish in the A Grade, by inspiring a quartet of increasingly impressive performances of the set-work, 'The Viking Age', their hymn tune, 'In Perfect Peace', own-choice selection, 'The Raid' (Oliver Waespi) and the march 'Castell Coch' to secure a first National title.

Local favourites Newcastle PCYC Brass Band (Teena Wallace) pushed them close, with third place going to Moonee Valley Brass (Dean Hughes). The remaining top-six places were claimed by defending champion Wonthaggi Citizens' Band with welcome New Zealand visitors Maamaloa Brass Band and Sunshine Brass behind.

D Grade and Junior Brass:

The indefatigable Phillipa Edwards led Hyde Street Youth Band to a fine 'double' in the D Grade and Junior B Brass events.

Their performances Edward Gregson's 'Music for Greenwich' and their own-choice of Philip Harper's 'Kingdom of Dragons' was backed by excellent renditions of their hymn and march selections to claim a comprehensive D Grade victory over rivals Waratah Brass Academy Band and Boroondara Harmony Brass and Far Northern Brass.

That outstanding playing was repeated in the Junior B Brass, whilst the Junior C Brass title went to City of Wollongong Junior Brass Band.

Iwan Fox

Under the direction of Jason Katsikaris they claimed the famous Fireman's Helmet Championship Trophy in Newcastle, New South Wales after a neck and neck battle with rivals Brisbane Excelsior4BR

Results:

Open A Brass:

Adjudicator: Dr Robert Childs
Set Work: Siege (Jared McCunnie)
Hymn/Set Work/Own Choice/March = Total

1. Sydney City Brass (Jason Katsikaris): 97/196/195/93 = 581*
2. Brisbane Excelsior Band (Alan Spence): 95/195/196/95 = 581
3. Darebin City Brass — Preston Band (Broden Ford): 96/194/192/94 = 576
4. Willoughby City Band (Dominic Longhurst): 94/192/194/92 = 572
5. Footscray-Yarraville City Band (Brenton Burley): 91/191/193/90 = 565
6. Brisbane Brass (Josh McKechie): 92/190/186/90 = 558
7. Waratah Brass — Newcastle (Conrad Curry): 88/183/188/89 = 548
8. Warringah Concert Brass (John Saunders): 84/189/185/88 = 546*
9. Glenferrie Brass (Phillipa Edwards): 90/186/182/88 = 546
10. Glenorchy City Concert Brass (Simon Reade): 87/184/187/87 = 545
11. Holroyd Brass Band (Damian Butler): 83/187/186/84 = 540
12. Central Coast Brass (Darren Jones): 86/181/183/83 = 533

* Set Work mark takes precedence

Open B Brass:

Adjudicator: David Bremner
Set Work: Hope (Dorothy Gates)
Hymn/Set Work/Own Choice/March = Total

1. Boroondara Brass (Daniel van Bergen): 90/190/187/85 = 552
2. Gunnedah Shire Band (Anthony Rowe): 85/183/190/88 = 546
3. Geelong West Brass Band (Jeff Steele): 86/183/185/89 = 543
4. City of Greater Dandenong Band (Jamie Lawson): 88/187/182/85 = 542
5. Cairns Brass No 1 Band (Oscar McDonald): 87/191/180/82 = 540*
6. Brisbane Brass 2 (Elean Katahanas): 81/186/186/87 = 540
7. Windsor Brass (Dale Hosking): 79/178/189/90 = 536
8. Canberra Brass (Veronica Boulton): 81/185/183/83 = 532
9. Toronto Brass (Timothy O'Hearn): 84/182/176/80 = 522
10. Darebin City Brass — Northern Brass (Marc Nethercot): 82/179/179/77 = 517
11. Box Hill City Band (Simon Brown): 83/177/176/80 = 516
12. Surfers Paradise Brass (Scott King): 84/180/174/76 = 514
13. Parramatta City Band (Luke Bradbery): 78/173/178/81 = 510
14. Southern Brass (Andy Yule): 78/175/174/78 = 505

* Set Work mark takes precedence

Open C Brass:

Adjudicator: David Bremner
Set Work: The Viking Age (Thierry Deleruyelle)
Hymn/Set Work/Own Choice/March = Total

1. Willoughby Band No.2 (Dominic Longhurst): 77/176/185/80 = 518
3. Newcastle PCYC Brass Band (Teena Wallace): 80/181/179/74 = 514*
2. Moonee Valley Brass (Dean Hughes): 78/178/181/77 = 514
4. Wonthaggi Citizens' Band (Craig Marinus): 76/174/178/75 = 503
5. Maamaloa Brass Band (NZ) (Kalino Pongi): 74/173/177/72 = 496
6. Sunshine Brass (Heather Aitken): 75/172/175/73 =495
7. City of Wollongong Brass Band (Kevin Skues): 71/170/174/71 = 486
8. Bankstown & Yagoona Brass (Rae Forrester): 72/169/174/70 = 485

* Set Work mark takes precedence

Open D Brass:

Adjudicator: Dr Robert Childs
Set Work: Music for Greenwich (Edward Gregson)
Hymn/Set Work/Own Choice/March = Total

1. Hyde Street Youth Band (Phillipa Edwards): 94/195/193/92 = 574
2. Waratah Brass Academy Band (Therese Hayden): 90/190/192/91 = 563
3. Boroondara Harmony Brass (Spencer Nelson): 91/191/189/90 = 561
4. Far Northern Brass (Dr Fletcher Mitchell): 88/192/187/88 = 555

Junior B Brass:

Adjudicator: Andrew Snell
Set Work: Capriol Suite (Peter Warlock arr. Phillip Littlemore)

1. Hyde St Youth Band: 87/174/179/87 = 527
2. St George Brass Band: 84/170/173/85 = 512

Junior C Brass:

Adjudicator: Andrew Snell
Set Work: Fanfare, Theme and Finale for HPs! (Mark Ford)

1. City of Wollongong Junior Brass Band: 85/169/173/86 = 513
2. Northcote High School Brass Band: 82/164/159/84 = 489