Six bands participated in this years East Coast of Australia Festival of Bands organised by the Hunter Regional Band Association — three bands in Division One and three in Division Two.
The adjudicator for the Test and Sacred Items was Ian Cook, who joined with local personality and entertainer Vince Parmeter to adjudicate the Entertainment section.
Results were as follows:
SACRED ITEM AND OWN CHOICE
Division One
1. Waratah Brass, Matthew van Emmerik, Between the Moon and Mexico (Sparke), Lord of All Hopefulness (Downie), 48+98=146
2. Warringah Concert Brass, John Saunders, Dances and Allehuias (Sparke), Just As I Am (Heaton, 47+96=143
City of Holroyd Band conducted by Mark Strykowski competed only for adjudication comments at the event due to not meeting some of the contest criteria. Its performances included Heaton's 'Just As I Am' and 'Devil and the Deep Blue Sea' by Bourgious.
This win for Waratah Brass with Matthew van Emmerik as conductor follows its Own Choice win at this years nationals and also marked the first performance of Dayne Grindley on Principal cornet.
Division Two
1. CNL Brass, Ron Boaden
2. Newcastle PCYC, Teena Wallace
3. Waratah Brass No. 2, Conrad Curry
ENTERTAINMENT
Division One
1. Warringah Concert Brass, John Saunders
2. Waratah Brass, Matthew van Emmerik
City of Holroyd Band, Mark Strykowski — participation only
Division Two
1. CNL Brass, Ron Boaden
3. Waratah Brass No. 2, Matthew van Emmerik
2. Newcastle PCYC, Teena Wallace
