The Brass Band festival held at Mount Gambier on Saturday 15 November featured 8 bands across all grades in an interesting contest which adjudicator Bill Broughton stated reflected community banding at its best.

The music contest followed an earlier street macrh event where 4 bands strutted their stuff to see Maroondah Brass emerge victorious.

Before the afternoon contest the bands participated in the Christmas Parade where up to 25,000 people lined the main street to watch the colourful spectacle.

The results of the music contest:

Points: Hymn+Major work+Concert item+March=Total

A Grade

1. Kew Band Melbourne, Mark Ford, 50+98+98+49=295
Harmony Music, Sparke
2. Tanunda, Veronica Bouton, 49+96+96+48=289
Harmony Festival, de Haan

B Grade

1. Maroondah Brass, Ron Moore, 48+96+95+48=287
Between the Two Rivers, Sparke
2. Geelong West, Jeff Steele, 46+92+94+48=280
Vitae Aeternum, Lovatt-Cooper

C Grade

1. Marion City, Veronica Boulton, 47+90+89+47=273
Music for a Festival, Sparke
2. Mount Gambier, Graham Lyle, 48+89+88+47=272
Oregon, de Haan

D Grade

1. Warriparinga Brass, Veronica Boulton, 46+88+88+46=266
A Northumbrian Suite, Johnson
2. Hamilton Brass 45+80+80+45=250
Suite Peer Gynt, arr. Cook

All bands received a winners or runner up trophy and cheque since there were only two bands in each grade.

The majority of the bands commented on the festival in favourable terms such that many indicated their intention to return again on the 3rd Saturday in November in 2009.

Another feature of the 2008 event was the appearance of the Salvation Army’s Veteran’s Band Melbourne who performed through the weekend to large audiences.

All in all the festival was rated a quality event by those in attendence.