*
banner

Soloist Success

The 2008 Sydney Metropolitan Band Branch Solo & Ensemble contest was held last weekend.

Harry Woods Memorial Trust winners
 

The solo and ensemble contest, held at the Bankstown Grammar School, received a total of 214 entries from 22 bands. Entries increased in the order of 35% on last year’s competition and the Branch was extremely pleased with this response.

The Branch was proud to introduce three new adjudicators to the competition – Darrell Hodges, Lauren Moule and Bev Newitt.

Each of these adjudicators is a very experienced musician who took the opportunity to attend an adjudicator’s workshop held late last year, conducted for the Branch by Andrew Snell.

They joined the adjudication panel headed by Andrew Snell and Robert Bedwell who are both highly respected for their knowledge of musical performance assessment.

The Sydney Metropolitan Band Branch would like to thank all the band members who entered the competition and, as with all band contests, we are indebted to our strong group of volunteers who support us each year and ensure the success of this event.

Perpetual trophy winners at the contest were:
Harry Woods Memorial Award (Combined Brass Instruments) and Mollie Neale Memorial Award (Under 13 Slow Melody): Dominic Longhurst, City of Holroyd Brass.

Aub Owens Trophy (Under 15 Any Brass Instrument: Cameron Robertson, City of Holroyd

Ken Luzzi Memorial Award (Under 15 Slow Melody): Cameron Robertson, Castle Hill RSL Youth Band

H.J.Cartledge Trophy (Under 19 Any Brass Instrument): Chris Moran, Sutherland PCYC Concert Band

Sydney Metropolitan Band Branch Trophy (Under 19 Any Woodwind or Reed Instrument): Jennifer Rhodes, Meriden School Concert Band

T.E.Gawn Trophy (Open Concerto): Jeffrey Ma, Willoughby Band

Clifford Family Trophy (Australian Composition Open Solo): Brian McGuinness, Willoughby Band

Open Slow Melody: Nicky Abkiewicz, City of Holroyd

Cath Hagerty Memorial Award (Under 11 Any Instrument): Sean Hou, St. George Brass

Jack Williams Memorial Award (Under 15 Any Woodwind Inst.): Yeri Kim, Meriden School Concert Band

Sydney Metropolitan Aggregate Shield (Most successful Band): City of Holroyd Band

City of Holroyd scored a total of 52 points in the aggregate shield competition for their first ever win of the shield.

Meriden School Concert Band finished only 1 point behind City of Holroyd with Warringah Concert Brass finishing third.

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    


Brass Band Treize Etoiles

World Rankings: 2025 End of year update

January 7 • Treize Etoiles shine bright as Swiss stars claim historic top spot in 2025 World Rankings after a stellar season.


Composer Competition

Whelan makes magic to win UniBrass prize

January 7 • 'All Magic Comes at a Price' wins the 2026 UniBrass Composition Competition title.


Joey Wong

4BR Wednesday interview with Joey Wong

January 6 • We meet up with the 22 year old conductor from Hong Kong hoping to become the 2026 National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Conductors Competition winner.


Winter Gardens

North West Regional line-ups announced

January 6 • 75 bands will kick off the 2026 Regional Championships in Blackpool in March.


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


Mid Rhondda Band

January 6 • Mid Rhondda Band are currently looking for a trombone player and percussionists to join the team. We are a friendly, welcoming 3rd section band working towards competing in the Welsh Area in March. We also have a variety of events booked for 2026.


The Marple Band

January 6 • Bb Bass and Tuned Percussionist vacancies to join our fabulous band. We are a friendly, ambitious 2nd Section band, starting an exciting new year.


Christchurch Vintage Brass

January 6 • Bb Bass required for our friendly non contesting day time band. We rehearse Monday afternoons from 13:30 in Southbourne near Bournemouth with refreshments afterwards. MD Steve Chislett.


Andrew White

MA(Ed Man), B Ed (Hons), BBCM, ADNCB, PGCE, Cert Ed
Conductor, Arranger, Adjudicator & Educationist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd