*
banner

Judges announced for Australian National Championships

The line-up of judges has been confirmed for teh forthcoming Australian National Championships in Melbourne

Austrlian Nationals
  The Championships take place in Melbourne this year

The adjudication panel for the 2025 Australian National Championships have been announced.

Sponsored by Yamaha Music Australia, the event will take place in Melbourne over the period 18th — 21st April. The individual events will take place at Xavier College and Methodist Ladies College in suburb of Kew.

Open and A Grade

The new Open Premier Grade and Open A Grade competitions will be adjudicated by Norwegian conductor and Yamaha Artist, Margie S. Antrobus alongside New Zealand conductor performer Tyme Marsters and Melbourne Staff Band of The Salvation Army conductor and performer, Ken Waterworth. Margie S Antrobus will also judge the Junior Grade contests.

B, C & D Grade

The Open B Grade will be judged by the experienced music educator and clinician Dr Heather Aiken, alongside composer and educator Brian Hogg, and conductor and Docemus Medal recipient Bryan Hurdley.

Music educator and conductor Dr Joanne Heaton will join freelance trumpet performer and educator David Musk and New Zealand trombonist Richard Shirley for the C Grade competition, with composer Louisa Trewartha, trumpet player Andrew Porter and tuba performer Karina Filipi judging the D Grade bands.

The Open Premier Grade bands will perform the set-work, 'King Kong on Rue Igor Stravinsky' Paul McGhee as well as their own-choice, scared item and march.

The new Open Premier Grade will be adjudicated Margie S. Antrobus alongside Tyme Marsters and Ken Waterworth4BR

Set Works:


Open Premier Grade: King Kong on Rue Igor Stravinsky (Paul McGhee)
Open A Grade: Journey to the Centre of the Earth (Peter Graham)
Open B Grade: A Journey to the Bermuda Triangle (Pimpanit Karoonyavanich)
Open C Grade: Inspiration (Jan de Haan)
Open D Grade: Legend in Brass (James Curnow)

Junior A Grade: A Summer Rhapsody (Kerry Thomas)
Junior B Grade: A Bournemouth Suite (Benjamin Tubb-Hearne)
Junior C Grade: Haunted (Adrian Hallam)

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


York Barbican

National Finals to move to York

February 27 • The Section 1-4 National Finals will be held York Barbican this year as the contest heads north from Cheltenham.


Norwegain

11 bands face potential Norwegian national relegation

February 27 • Bands that failed to pay their annual NMF membership fee on time could find themselves relegated to the bottom tier of their National Championship.


French National Championships

French bands prepare for National challenges

February 27 • The 2026 French National Championships take place in Forges-les-Eaux in Normandy this weekend.


ISM

ISM to host Make Music Work conference day

February 27 • If you want to find out how to make a sustainable career in the music industry then get along to the ISM 'Make Music Work' conference day in London in April.


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 1 March • St. Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street. London SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - London Central Fellowship Band

Saturday 7 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Tuesday 10 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Harlow Brass Band

February 27 • We are a friendly, non-contesting band who have the following vacancies:. Trombones, 2nd Horn, Back Row Cornets, Percussion. . We rehearse every Thursday in Harlow, 8-10pm and play at local events throughout the year.


Newmarket Town Band

February 27 • Newmarket Town Band is inviting applications for the post of 'Musical Director'. We are a non-contesting band who play to a high standard with regular bookings throughout the year. Rehearsals are held on Wednesdays 7:30 - 9:30pm


Banks Brass Band

February 25 • It's not too late to join Banks Brass Band, a friendly non-contesting band near Southport. All players welcome particularly euphoniums, trombones and basses. Rehearsals: Mondays 8.00-9.30pm in the Hub@Banks community centre, PR9 8BL


David Hirst

MA, B.Ed (Hons), LTCL
Conductor, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd