*
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    


4BR

4BR Review — Episode 23

October 10 • Join Iwan and Chris as they look back at how the 2026 National Championship title was won and lost at the Royal Albert Hall in London last weekend — and some of the questions that arose from it.


Gregson

Gregson set for Chicago Symphony Orchestra performance

October 10 • Edward Gregson's 'Symphony in Two Movements' is to be performed by the symphonic brass and percussion ensemble of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra later this year.


Navigation Inn

Time please — as Navigation Inn closes doors...

October 10 • The most famous brass band pub in the world has closed its doors — perhaps for the very last time.


Blackford

Orbital countdown for Tredegar

October 10 • The fourth of the commissioning bands will perform Richard Blackford's 'Orbital' in West Sussex later today as Tredegar get ready for lift off in Ardingly.


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Brass

Saturday 10 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Autumn Concert

Saturday 10 October • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Garforth Brass - Annual Chairman's Charity Concert

Saturday 10 October • Miners Welfare Hall. 56 Main Street. Garforth . Leeds. LS25 1AA LS25 1AA


Bedford Town Band - Autumn Concert also featuring our Academy

Saturday 10 October • Putnoe Heights Church. Putnoe Heights. Bedford MK41 8EB


Regent Hall Concerts - Trafalgar Brass

Thursday 15 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Epping Forest Band

October 8 • Euphonium and solo horn wanted to join our friendly sociable 2nd section band. Based in Essex with close links to the M11 and the underground central line. Instrument's provided of required


Bedford Town Band

October 8 • Bedford Town Band are looking to recruit a Solo trombone and Repiano cornet . We are playing at the Wychavon Contest in a few weeks and are looking to be in the frame at the 1st Section Regionals . Rehearsals Thursday 7.45 at Castle Newnham School.


Pilling Jubilee Silver Band

October 7 • Pilling Band (ambitious 3rd Section Band North West) are seeking a few final players to complete their team under new MD Mark Vause. We are looking for 2 good front row cornet players, baritone, Eb/Bb bass and tuned percussion.


John Maines

BA (Hons)
Presenter, compere and conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd