The 2026 Yamaha Australian National Championships are currently taking place in Brisbane.
Annette Ries, President of the Queensland Band Association which is hosting the event until 5th April at Brisbane City Hall has welcomed competitors and visitors saying that there was "palpable excitement"for what promises to be a weekend of "music making, friendship and celebration."
The event can be followed on live stream broadcast by Tim Kelly and www.brassbanned.com
Judges
The brass band competition adjudication teams are headed by principal judge Russell Gray, alongside David Bremner, Louise Lawless, Peter Luff and Helen Williams.
Bands in all sections must perform a set work, hymn/reflective work, own-choice march and own-choice test-piece. There is a sperate 'Parade of Bands' competition as well as extensive solo and ensemble competitions, including the Blue Riband 'Champion of Champions' event.
Competing bands:
Premier Grade:
Adjudicator: Russell Gray; David Bremner; Louisa Lawless
Set Work: A Road Less Travelled By (Philip Sparke)
Brisbane Excelsior
Brisbane Brass
Darebin City Brass Preston
Footscray Yarraville City
Willoughby City
Sydney City Brass
A Grade:
Adjudicator: Russell Gray
Set Work: Toccata a Fantasia (Thomas Doss)
Boroondara Brass
Cairns Brass
Geelong West Brass
Glenferrie Brass
Holyrod Brass
Kensington & Norwood Brass
South Brisbane Federal
Willoughby Brass 2
B Grade:
Adjudicator: Peter Luff
Set Work: Prisms (Peter Graham)
Box Hill City
Brisbane Brass 2
Canberra Brass
City of Greater Dandenong
Diamond Valley Brass
Maribyrnong Brass
Parramatta City Band
Sunnybank Brass
Surfers Paradise Brass
Townsville Brass
Warringah Concert Brass
Whitehorse Brass
Windsor Excelsior
Wonthaggi Citizens' Band
C Grade:
Adjudicator: David Bremner
Set Work: Invisible Fire (Dorothy Gates)
Bayside Brass
Capricornia Silver Band
Footscray-Yarraville Western Brass
Gosford City Brass Band
Gunnedah Shire Band
Hyde Street Youth Band
D Grade:
Adjudicator: Helen Williams
Set Work: The Keeper of the Winds (Benjamin Tubb-Hearne)
Bankstown & Yagoona Brass
Benowa Brass
Boroondara Harmony Brass
Brisbane Brass 3
City of Ballarat Municipal Brass
City of Wollongong Brass
Drayton Brass
Lutwyche Excelsior
Marist Brass
Thuringowa Brass
Junior A Grade:
Adjudicator: Louisa Lawless
Set Work: Saint Saens Variations (Philip Sparke)
Box Hill Academy Brass
Hyde Street Youth
Junior B Grade:
Adjudicator: Louisa Lawless
Set Work: Cordell Suite (Helen Perkin)
Brisbane State High School Brass
City of Wollongong Junior Brass
Richmond Youth Brass
