The intensity and commitment the players of Kew Band Melbourne (KBM) have given to rehearsals over the past few months, under new MD Steve Bastable has paid off, as they returned to their home state of Victoria as New South Wales champions.

Close contest

KBM were awarded first place in the Sacred and Own Choice events, and were second to Waratah Brass — Newcastle, under the direction of Matthew van Emmerik, in the Test.

Choices

Interestingly, KBM decided not to compete in its own state championship this year and had also declined an invitation to compete in the Federation of Australasian Brass Bands "Australasian Open" being held in October.

Standards

Whilst KBM were overall winners on the day, and Waratah were closely matched, the standard of playing wasn't quite the 'new benchmark in banding downunder' expected by some.

That being said, adjudicator Mark Ford commented to 4BRDU that the first three placed bands in the test, and first four in the Own Choice were impressive in terms of National standards.

I was looking for a performance that would take Spectrum into the 21st Century, and only one band really did that.Adjudicator, Mark Ford.

Mark Ford said, "I was looking for a performance that would take Spectrum into the 21st Century, and only one band really did that. Ultimately, the final decision in the test was one based on interpretation."

Bad day

Sadly, it was not a good day for defending champions St Mary's Band Club who had an unfortunate mishap with the crash cymbal strap breaking in the final bars of Spectrum resulting in a domino effect of other unwritten percussive sounds.

Added to this, earlier in the day, one of its players was withdrawn from taking to the stage following the discovery of an unsigned registration document. In what was essentially an administrative oversight, the band were fully co-operative with the Band Association of New South Wales.