New Zealand flugel player Kevin Hickman, representing Sydney City Brass, claimed the prestigious 'Champion of Champions' solo title at the recent Australian National Championships in Newcastle, New South Wales.

The event rounded off an extensive weekend of competition and saw adjudicators Dr Robert Childs and Andrew Snell comparing the performance of 10 category finalists.

Outstanding

His outstanding rendition of the William Himes 'Flugel Concerto' meant that he also became one of only a handful of players to have been crowned 'Champion of Champions' in both New Zealand (2006) and Australia.

For many years an outstanding cornet and flugel player with Woolston Brass Band in New Zealand, Kevin is a Staff Sergeant in the New Zealand Army Band, who immediately offered their congratulations.

Incredible musician

Dr Robert Childs also described him as "an incredible musician"after claiming the title in a keenly fought event, and after he had helped Sydney City to the A Grade title playing cornet.

"We were unanimous in our thoughts,"Bob told the audience.

"There were three particularly outstanding performances," he added in noting the "lovely playing" of tenor horn Nicky Abkiewikz from Brisbane Excelsior on a new work, 'Mirage' by Andrew Baker, and the "exceptional" Brisbane XLCR tenor trombonist and former Junior Champion of Champion, Harrison Steele- Homes, who performed the 2nd & 3rd movements of the David 'Trombone Concerto'.

Communication

Elsewhere, although he felt the delivery of the performances were all very good, he did state that there was what he called "a lack of communication" between the some of the soloists and the audience.

"It is not a criticism but an observation to note," he said, as he felt some had got themselves "tied up in the competition" and had "played to themselves".