This afternoon has bought enormous hope to the future of brass bands as an entertainment vehicle.
From the competition aspect of this afternoon, in order for a performance to be truly entertaining, the quality of the music performance must prevail. With this in mind, our predictions are:
1. Woolston
2. Waitakere
3. Warringah
4. XLCR
Day 2, Sunday 26 October, 1.00pm (EST)
The 'York' Australasian Entertainment Championship
30 Minute Own Choice Program
Adjudicators: Steve Bastable, Barrie Gott, and Kenneth Young
Compere: Peter Younghusband
1. Brisbane Excelsior, Howard Taylor
1300hrs
Programme: Also Sparch Zarathustra, The Eve of War, Someone Cares, Puttin' on the Ritz, Here's that Rainy Day, Helter Skelter, The Appian Way — Pines of Rome
Brass Soloist: Paula Russell, cornet
Non-brass Soloist: Moana Manu, xylophone
Very slick presentation with good use of multi-media. Cornet soloist, Paula Russell showed class as usual, and xylo soloist a real crowd pleaser.
Voice over very effective and provided cohesion.
Nothing really new in the program but tried and true nevertheless.
2. St Mary's Band Club, Paul Terracini
circa. 1345hrs
Programme: Overture to La Forza Del Destino, Cortigiani, Meditation — from Thais, O du mein holder Abenstern, Else's Procession to the Minster
Brass Soloist: Jeff Ma, Euphonium
Non-brass Soloist: Christopher Hillier from the Australian Opera, Baritone
Themed "A Night at the Opera", this program bought some culture to the afternoon. Unfortunately, intonation issues in the more exposed music did detract from presentation.
An injection of class was the presence of Christopher Hillier from the Australian Opera.
There is no doubting Paul Terracini's ability to appreciate fine music. However, if this repertoire is to be fully 'entertaining' is does need to be performed at the highest level.
3. Footscray-Yarraville, Phillipa Edwards
circa. 1420hrs
Programme: Mars — The Bringer of War, Rusulka's Song to the Moon, Fly me to the Moon, Spice Brass, Knight of Cydonia
Brass Soloist: Jamie Lawson, cornet
Non-brass Soloist: Phillipa Edwards, vocalist
Not sure that the random action of slurping from water bottles lends itself to quality TV performances.
Lovely slow melody from Jamie Lawson — great sound.
Stage band format a refreshing change.
The Spice Girls — o my...we are actually speechless. Guys in drag either works or it doesn't — it made us giggle.
Entire concept brilliantly constructed marred only by some 'pregnant' pauses between items due to stage movements.
Voice over effective, and sometimes really funny, though not always well timed in its placement.
Inclusion of electric guitar and piano added extra punch to a fantastic arrangement of the final number.
Well done 'Scraggers'.
4. Woolston Brass, Graham Hickman
circa. 1505hrs
Programme: Excerpt from Swan Lake Act 1, S'isch Abe-n-e Monsch uf arde, Blue Bells of Scotland, Fever, Flowerdale, Scherzo from Symphony no. 10, Signed Sealed Delivered, Comedy Tonight
Brass Soloist: Colin Clark, Soprano
Non-brass Soloist: Laura Bunting, vocalist
Great opener, followed by some very emotional and gorgeous playing in the second item.
David Bremner was sensational as was Colin Clark — absolute world class performers. The accompaniment for the soloists was sensitive and balanced.
A raunchy rendition of Fever sent a few temperatures rising in the auditorium.
Not too much else to say here — a show that was packed with class, versatility and huge emotion — had us totally entranced from start to finish.
Can't imagine this one being beaten.
5. The 'Trusts' Waitakere Brass, Steven Booth
circa. 1605hrs
Programme: March: Te Wero, Movement 2 Fendall Trumpet Concerto, My Mistake, Pokarekare Ana, New Zealand in Union 2011
Brass soloist: Fendall Hill, Soprano
Non-brass soloist: vocalist
Striking opening with Maori's leading the band in the traditional welcoming Haka.
The band's program was either composed or arranged by members of the band — a fantastic achievement.
Congrats to Fendall Hill who performed his own composition, and also managed to smile his way through a microphone malfunction in 'That was my mistake'.
One of the best things happening for this performance was the absence of chairs, which allowed the stage movement to flow without detracting from the visual.
The band's production was professional, seamless, and included plenty of variety in musical style and choreography. The inclusion of traditional Maori dance and culture was powerful and compelling.
An outstanding presentation.
6. Warringah Concert Brass, John Saunders
circa. 1645hrs
Programme: Coconut Champagne, Flashdance, Stripper, The Swan, El es el Senor, The Not So Square Dance, Soul Bosa Nova
Brass Soloist: Thom Humphrey, euphonium
Non-brass Soloist: Anthony Brahe, marimba
Well put together — bordering on 'cheesy' in a couple of spots but we still loved it.
MD John Saunders played a great role as roving compere.
The dying swan was an interesting take on a serious number. Thom Humphrey did well to maintain composure when the swan was dying.
Austin Powers — always a crowd pleaser, and well portrayed.
The band's use of the auditorium maximised their presentation effectiveness.
Another well constructed program — professionally presented.
7. Brisbane Brass, Greg Aitken
circa. 1725hrs
Programme: Can you Feel it, Eleanor Rigby, Axel F, Turn the Beat Around, Mamma Mia, Gaelforce, Typewriter, Mack the Knife, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Final Countdown
Brass Soloist: Danni Rich, flugel
Non-brass Soloist: ,typewriter
Our toes never stopped tapping, with the theme being 10 to 1 top hits. BB plays this style of music so well.
The stage craft was perhaps unimaginative compared to the other bands who played this afternoon.
A crowd pleasing program.
