*
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    


Podcast

Festival focus for 4BR Review podcast

January 14 • Join the live podcast broadcast this evening with Iwan Fox, Chris Thomas and Dr David Thornton as they preview the attractions at the forthcoming RNCM International Brass Band Festival.


RBC

Area test-piece focus at RBC Brass Day

January 14 • Players, conductors and brass band supporters can enjoy a full day of Third and Fourth Section test-piece workshops in Birmingham — with a Thomas Fountain bonus.


RNCM Festival

Cymbals to soundtracks on offer at RNCM Percussion Day

January 14 • There will be a full day of percussion attractions on offer at the RNCM in February.


Desford

Desford landmark with latest Vietnam tour

January 14 • The 2025 National Champion will head to Vietnam as they mark their 20th overseas tour.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Chinnor Silver

January 13 • New Year,New Section,New MD and for you New Band?. We are looking for a Tuned Percussionist for the areas and beyond.. Rehearsals are on a Wednesday evening 8-10 in our own bandroom (so no setting up each time).


Chinnor Silver

January 13 • Our COMMUNITY BAND is meeting again on Monday (19th) at 11am in our own bandroom.. We welcome players of all abilities to join us for a relaxed,friendly rehearsal with cake and coffee thrown in all free.. Playing with us doesn’t affect your own band


Otley Brass Association

January 11 • Tenor Trombone Player needed for 6 week holiday cover with Otley Brass Band.. Practice is Tuesday nights 7.30-9.30pm at Otley Courthouse, LS21 3AN


Ian Holmes

BA (hons), PGDip (RCM), ARCM, ALCM
Conductor, piano accompanist and educator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd