The stage was set for another exceptional day of brass solo and band performances.

The auditorium at the St Marys Band Club neared full capacity as the afternoon performances began.

Adjudicator for the International Soloist of the Year was Nigel Weekes.

Nigel congratulated the organisers on what would have to be one of the worlds most prestigious solo events on the brass band calendar.

For the adjudicator, there was no doubt...

Winner: Katrina Marzella

The person to represent Australasia, effectively runner-up, at the British Open was announced as Mark Howcroft.

As we heard it:

Matthew van Emmerik, Euphonium, Aus Nat
Quatre Variations sur un theme de Domenico Scarlatti by Bitsch
Stylish opening with good dynamics to open. All technical difficulties overcome. This is all going very well. Good feel to slow movement. Excellent dynamics though maybe a little too aggressive at times. Great performance — top marker for the competition.

Kevin Joughin, Cornet, SA
Concerto I by Brandt
Start not so secure — how often has does this opening trip up the best of soloists. Intonation problems creep in. Soloist does not seem comfortable. It starts to come together more towards the end but unfortunately probably all too late. Excellent finish.

Phil Johnston, Bb Bass, NZ Nat
Concert Fantasie by Cords
Confident opening with good sounds. All phrases shaped so well. Such sensitive, thoughful and musical playing. Only minor insecurities at times — intervals sometimes suspect? Breath control and dynamics are excellent. Sense of rhythm, purpose and forwardness is always felt. Absolutely brilliantly played. Exciting to finish. Whether it is the right choice of solo for this instrument remains to be seen.

Ben Noonan, Cornet, WA
Concerto for Bb Cornet by Wright
Opens well then loses its way slightly. Gets back on track just as quick. Bright sound. Terrific flexibility and technical control strongly evident. Second movement well controlled but sound could do with more warmth. Great style in third movement. An overall top performance from a fine player.

Katrina Marzella, Baritone, Great Britain
Concerto for Baritone by Duncan
Exciting start. It has it all. Sound, dynamic contrast. This soloist means business. Great cheeky style — just oozes confidence. She is engaging the audience so well. Slow movement is so moving. Absolutely beautiful playing. Real goose bump stuff. A couple of uppper register hiccups seem to not matter. This was a performance that had everything. A totally captivating passionate winning rendition. Oh...and one more thing — no music in sight. Going to be very difficult to beat.

Paula Russell, Cornet, TAS
Cornet Concerto by Tomlinson
Very controlled and sensitive opening. Made to feel so easy. Just some minor slips detract slightly. So much to compliment in this performance. Some beautiful moments captured in the slow movement — with great sound. Top shelf playing — a very musical reading of an extremely difficult solo. Girls leading the way so far!

Mark Howcroft, Euphonium, NSW
Anastasia by Johnston
Excellent start. Lovely playing in the opening phrases — but is this the style the composer intended? Boldness and strength of style comes later — much better. Great technique and control shown. Fire and passion shown all too briefly, in a piece that demands far more. However, an extremely fine player and performance.

Steve Ford, Eb Bass, VIC
Cappricio by Newton
Great sounds to open. Articulation all so very clean. Always very musical and once again showing off this full round, absorbing sound. Style always convincing. This was an excellent performance and one which will be right up there.

Greg Aitken, Trombone, QLD
Concertino by Larsson
Opening settles well after some slight intonation worries. Nice clean sounds. Everything in place and always in control. Some of the best playing found in the final movement — a very spirited ending.

The afternoon was a captivating collection of outstanding playing — one could safely say, "one of the best years ever". There was not one weak performance, and all players represented their state or country with conviction. All accompanists were outstanding which added to the overall high standard.

For us, though, there was one which stood out from the rest — Katrina Marzella, a complete professional performance which had the audience in the palm of her hand. We shall see...