*
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    


Brighouse

British Open Countdown: T minus 7

September 5 • 10 bands taking part this year have lifted the famous British Open Gold Shield in triumph...


Mead

Tour marathon for Mead

September 5 • Steven Mead marks a musical milestone with a marathon Asian tour.


Boax

Bands need to tick right Boax at Registry

September 5 • Cory Band baritone player Charlie Boax has joined the Brass Band Players Registry as their new Office Administrator.


Brass Monkeys

Podcast: The Brass Monkeys — Episode 38

September 5 • The North Wales banding boys are back with more chat.


The Hepworth Band - Public Rehearsal ahead of the 2026 British Open

Tuesday 8 September • Ossett Town Hall, Market Place, Ossett WF5 8BE


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Enderby Band

September 5 • Championship section band seeking CORNETS (positions negotiable), Eb BASS, and PERCUSSIONISTS to join our committed, hard-working and friendly team, performing a balanced diary of concerts and contests.


Harrogate Band

September 4 • The Harrogate Band are looking for a 1st Baritone and Soprano player to complete our team. Forward thinking and exciting band with a wide range of engagements and contests. Rehearsals are Wednesday 8pm in our own bandroom with great transport links.


Yorkshire Imperial

September 3 • Yorkshire Imperial band have SECOND HORN and BBb BASS vacancies available. . At Imps we have a proud tradition, clear ambitions and a sensible, well-planned schedule. We're looking for musicians who want to make outstanding music & will enjoy the journey.


Jack Capstaff

Bmus (Hons)
Conductor | Composer


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd