After a five-year break Howard Taylor returned to Brisbane Excelsior Band to steer them to a memorable home city Premier Grade national victory.
And in reclaiming the iconic Fireman's Helmet trophy for a tenth time together, little wonder he said, "It's good to be back" as he thanked his players from the stage. However, he still endorsed his desire that despite feeling "over the moon" he wanted to move his fine band "onward and upward."
After this victory, the renewed trajectory has been set.
Three way battle
In what proved to be an engrossing three-way battle at Brisbane City Hall, a remarkable 199-point own-choice performance of Paul Saggers' evocative 'The Falcon in the Snow' secured the title success. Unlike Robert Falcon Scott's tragically ill-fated Antarctic expedition, on this occasion it was a journey that pipped its rivals.
Victory was further endorsed by topping the stage march element with 'O.R.B.' as well as the sacred item discipline with 'In This Quiet Moment'.
It also saw Queensland band make up the lost ground on the set-work 'A Road Less Travelled By' which had seen them end the first day in third behind rivals Willougby City and defending champion Sydney City Brass.
Nearly a double
Willoughby and MD Dominic Longhurst may well have thought they themselves were going to be crowned champion for the first time since 1989, and secure a historic 'double' after he led their No.2 Band to the A Grade title.
It was certainly going to take something special to beat them after a finely balanced take on the set-work and sacred item 'The Saddest Noise' led the way at the halfway point.
That was followed the next day by a thrilling world premiere of the MDs own nautically inspired 'Tempest's Jewel', which gained 198 points from adjudicators Russell Gray, David Bremner and Louisa Lawless. However, a slightly scruffy 'Ravenswood' march (which ended fifth) saw them just fall short of victory.
Sydney hunt
Sydney meanwhile remained very much in the hunt as Jason Katsikaris drew refined accounts of the set-work and sacred item, 'The Light of the World' to go with a bold 'Simoraine' march, although they never sounded at ease with the darker atmospheres needed with their own-choice of 'Myth Forest'.
Although the podium finishers were in a defined class of their own, Russell Gray admitted that the judges had been "blown away" especially by the own-choice standard from all the competitors and soloists in particular. He said its had been "a feast" which had seen MDs analysis the scores to produce "an amazing job".
Footscray Yaraville City eventually came fourth in a neck and neck battle with Darebin City (who came third on their own-choice, 'This World') with Brisbane Brass just behind.
A Grade:
With the restructuring of the competitive sections in 2024, the A Grade now offers a closely matched battle between ambitious bands — and none more so than Willoughby Brass 2.
Since MD Dominic Longhurst's arrival in 2022 they have moved up the New South Wales State and National contesting ladder, securing titles long the way. After coming runner-up in the A Grade last year, this year they went one better in commanding fashion.
Interesting future
Their seven-point margin of victory came courtesy of discipline-topping performances of the set-work, 'Toccata e Fantasia', sacred item, 'Procession to Covenant' and their own choice of 'Music of the Spheres', whilst they came second on their march 'The Wizard'.
What the future now holds will be interesting though as their talented MD may well be faced with having two Willoughby ensembles in the Premier Grade in 2027. That is potentially a welcome dilemma for another day though.
The endorsement of their current quality came from adjudicator Russell Gray who offered his "congratulations to the winner in particular". Meanwhile the winning MD took the opportunity not only to thank his band who had "really astounded me over the last few years", but also for the way in which their "hard work and belief" had come from their trust in him.
High standard
That was evident over the two days, although Russell Gray did point out that although there was a "very, very high standard"on the set-work from the competitors, he did feel that they had thrown "all their eggs into the same piece". When it came to the own-choice selections he felt there were occasions acoustically when "I couldn't hear the band" due to problems with percussion and bass line balances.
"That said," he added, "the overall standard was great with soloists really stepping up".
Kensington & Norwood continued their upward progress at the contest under Jonathan Baker as they came runner-up after coming third last year, whilst Victorian State Champion Glenferrie Brass claimed their best finish in third under Phillipa Edwards.
The remaining top-six places went to Geelong West, ahead of Boroondara Brass and Cairns Brass.
B Grade:
There was a great deal of engaging music making to compare for adjudicator Peter Luff in the B Grade contest at the Ithaca Auditorium, as 14 bands battled for the honours.
In the end there was a clear-cut victory for Whitehorse Brass as the Victorian ensemble, formed as a senior band in 2015 as part of the Box Hill City Band organisation, took the honours under MD Broden Ford.
It follows their success at the Victorian State and Australian C Grade championships in 2024, and the incremental progress made in 2025 when they also took part in the New Zealand Championships.
Fine performances
Fine performances of the set-work, 'Prisms' as well as their sacred item, 'His Provision', own-choice of 'Vistas' by Martin Ellerby and their apt march selection of 'The Champions' saw them secure victory by a clear five and half point margin. No wonder they took to their Facebook page to say that they were, "over the moon".
The podium places went to Townsville Brass from Queensland, with local favourites Brisbane Brass 2 in third. The remaining top-six places were claimed by Canberra Brass, Windsor Excelsior and Diamond Valley Brass.
C Grade:
Another inspiring conductor led her band to an overwhelming success in the C Grade, as Phillipa Edwards and Hyde Street Youth Band from Melbourne stamped their musical authority with a 20-point victory.
Excellent performances of the 'Invisible Fire', 'Hope', 'Mercury' and 'Lions of Legends' topped all four individual disciplines to complete victory in fine style.
With just two players over the age of 22, their inclusive ethos has been inspired by their MD — one she summed up on Facebook with her endorsement of 'Community, Mastery, Joy'. All three were displayed in full as they won the title in splendid fashion.
Although the overall margin of victory was large, there were also fine performances from the closely matched podium finishers of Bayside Brass and Capricornia Silver who finished just ahead of Gunnedah Shire, Gosford City Brass and Footscray-Yaraville Western Brass.
D Grade:
City of Ballarat Municipal Brass were the only band to successfully defend their National title on the weekend, as led by Belinda Sileni they took the D Grade honours with bold confidence.
Their performances of the set-work, 'The Keeper of Winds' alongside 'In Perfect Peace', 'Simoraine' and 'Pastiche for Brass & Percussion' topped all four disciplines and thoroughly impressed adjudicator Helen Williams.
2027 hat-trick
Reflecting on their success on their Facebook page they said: "We are officially 'back-to-back' National Champions! We'd like to thank our conductor Belinda Sileni for her tireless work, and for all our members dedication to our team goal- the extra rehearsals, the homework and the team work all paid off. Until next year...can we pull off the hat-trick?"
On this form they would be a short each-way bet.
Second place for the second year in a row went to Marist Brass Band from Victoria, with the final podium spot claimed by Thuringowa Brass. The other top-six places went to Bankstown & Yagoona Brass, Drayton Brass and City of Wollongong Brass.
Junior A Grade:
Although there were only two competitors in the Junior A Grade event, the duo certainly brought the best out of each other with performances of note.
In the end it was Box Hill Academy Brass conducted by Lauren Innes that came out on top from defending champion Hyde Street Youth Band led by Phillipa Edwards and Fern Gass.
Fine event
There was certainly a great atmosphere created by the hosts in Brisbane with excellent venues packed with supporters over the four days (including the 'Parade of Bands').
In addition to the main band contests (and concert band events) there were keenly fought solo and ensemble championships, with the outstanding young trombonist Elijah Baker of Willoughby City claiming a remarkable Junior Champion of Champions and senior Champion of Champions double triumph.
Iwan Fox
It's good to be backHoward Taylor, MD, Brisbane Excelsior Brass
Results:
Premier Grade:
Adjudicator: Russell Gray; David Bremner; Louisa Lawless
Set Work: A Road Less Travelled By (Philip Sparke)
Hymn/Test Piece/Own Choice/Stage March = Total
1. Brisbane Excelsior (Howard Taylor): 96/194/199/97 = 586
2. Willoughby Band (Dominic Longhurst): 95/197/198/93 = 583
3. Sydney City Brass (Jason Katsikaris): 94/196/195/96 = 581
4. Footscray-Yarraville City (Glyn Williams): 92/193/196/95 = 576*
5) Darebin City Brass — Preston (Andrew Snell): 93/192/197/94 = 576
6) Brisbane Brass (Michael Keen): 90/190/193/91 = 564
Highest Placed Australian Band (Gal John Trophy): Brisbane Excelsior Band (QLD)
*Set Work takes precedence
A Grade:
Adjudicator: Russell Gray
Set Work: Toccata a Fantasia (Thomas Doss)
Hymn/Test Piece/Own Choice/Stage March = Total
1. Willoughby Band No. 2 (Dominic Longhurst): 96/197/196/93 = 582
2. Kensington & Norwood Brass (Jonathan Baker): 95/195/193/92 = 575
3. Glenferrie Brass (Phillipa Edwards): 91/192/195/94 = 572
4. Geelong West Brass (Jason Mears): 94/194/188/89 = 565
5. Boroondara Brass (Daniel Van Bergen): 93/191/189/90 = 563
6. Cairns Brass No. 1 (Jon Christodoulides): 90/189/191/91 = 561
7. Holroyd Brass (Dale Vail): 90/187/190/88 = 555
8. South Brisbane Federal (Rowan Yates): 89/188/187/88 = 552
B Grade:
Adjudicator: Peter Luff
Set Work: Prisms (Peter Graham)
Hymn/Test Piece/Own Choice/Stage March = Total
1. Whitehorse Brass (Broden Ford): 96.5/194/192/93 = 575.5
2. Townsville Brass (Danny Deilkens): 97/195/190/88 = 570
3. Brisbane Brass No. 2 (Elena Katahanas): 99/194/184/90 = 567
4. Canberra Brass (Veronia Boulton): 90/193/185/91 = 559
5. Windsor Excelsior (Dale Hosking): 93/194/180/91 = 558
6. Diamond Valley Brass (Jeff Steele): 95.5/192/170/82 = 539.5
7. Sunnybank Brass (Joshua Sephton): 91.5/174/181/92 = 538.5
8. City of Greater Dandenong (Jamie Lawson): 87.5/170/183/81 = 521.5
9. Warringah Concert Brass (John Sanders): 82/164/180/94 = 520
10. Maribyrnong Brass (N/K): 89/165/177/87 = 518
11. Box Hill City (Simon Brown): 88/168/176/85 = 517
12. Surfers Paradise Brass (Scott King): 83.5/166/182/83 = 514.5
13. Parramatta City (Luke Bradbury): 89/168/172/80 = 509
14. Wonthaggi Citizens (Craig Marinus): 81/162/174/83 = 500
C Grade:
Adjudicator: David Bremner
Set Work: Invisible Fire (Dorothy Gates)
Hymn/Test Piece/Own Choice/Stage March = Total
1. Hyde Street Youth (Phillipa Edwards): 92/190/192/90 = 564
2. Bayside Brass (Damien Bowden): 90/187/184/83 = 544*
3. Capricornia Silver (Jacinta Delalande): 88/183/186/87 = 544
4. Gunnedah Shire Band (Sebastian Rowe): 87/180/188/88 = 543
5. Gosford City Brass (Rowen McBride): 89/186/185/82 = 542
6. Western Brass (Jared McCunnie): 86/182/187/85 = 540
*Set Work takes precedence
D Grade:
Adjudicator: Helen Williams
Set Work: The Keeper of the Winds (Benjamin Tubb-Hearne)
Hymn/Test Piece/Own Choice/Stage March = Total
1. City of Ballarat Municipal Brass (Belinda Sileni): 97/194/197/95 = 583
2. Marist Brass Band (Colin Wellard): 96/193/195/91 = 575
3. Thuringowa Brass Band (Lachlan Cutler): 91/191/192/93 = 567
4. Bankstown & Yagoona Brass (Anthony Marsden): 94/190/193/88 = 565
5. Drayton Brass (Caroline Ryan): 92/187/191/89 = 559
6. City of Wollongong Brass (Kevin Skues): 87/188/188/90 = 553
7. Boroondara Harmony Brass (Robyn Lowenstein Waugh): 93/186/186/86 = 551*
8. Lutwyche Excelsior (Cathy Reid): 90/185/189/87 = 551
9. Benowa Brass (Kerrod Wemyss): 88/183/190/87 = 548
10. Brisbane Brass No. 3 (Meg McWilliams/Emily Matthews): 86/184/187/85 = 542
*Set Work takes precedence
Junior A Grade:
Adjudicator: Louisa Lawless
Set Work: Saint Saens Variations (Philip Sparke)
Hymn/Test Piece/Own Choice/Stage March = Total
1. Box Hill Academy Brass (Lauren Innes): 95/190/192/94 = 571
2. Hyde Street Youth (Phillipa Edwards): 93/188/190/93 = 564
Junior B Grade:
Adjudicator: Louisa Lawless
Set Work: Cordell Suite (Helen Perkin)
Hymn/Test Piece/Own Choice/Stage March = Total
1. Brisbane State High School Brass (N/K): 89/188/189/88 = 554
2. Richmond Youth Brass (Adam Arnold): 88/187/187/89 = 551*
3. City of Wollongong Junior Brass (Desmond Canning): 87/184/190/90 = 551
*Set Work takes precedence
