Adjudicator: Professor David King
Accompanist: Tony Baldwin
Compere: Robert Pearce
The winner of the 2009 Ern Keller Memorial International Soloist of the Year is:
Glenn van Looy
Australasian Representative at the 2009 British Open:
Bruce Myers
The adjudicator, Professor David King, used a set of criteria based on the letter 's' — sense of criteria, sound, style, space, symmetry, security, sense of performance, and stage presence.
Professor King congratulated the St Mary's Band Club for again, sponsoring and promoting brass band musicianship across the globe.
Special mention was also given to Ken Bradley for his continued energy and input as the event organiser.
As we heard it:
1. Tyme Marsters (New Zealand), Flugel, Concertino for Flugel Horn (Himes)
Spirited opening, smooth style, but a slight sense of panic in places. Top flugel sound, lovely atmosphere created and sensitive touches in second movement. Strong finish. Tendancy to rush at times and a few slips could be costly.
2. Bruce Myers (New South Wales), Tenor Horn, Masquerade (Sparke)
Gorgeous opening. So much control and feeling...mmmm...quality starts to slide. Obviously great technique but clarity not always strong.
3. Glen Van Looy (Great Britain (Belgium)), Euphonium, Concerto per Flicornobasso (Ponchielli)
Without music. Wonderful sound, confident and stylish opening. There is much to admire about this performance — so mature, technically proficient, consistent and controlled.
4. Dale Hosking (Queensland), Bb Cornet, Fantasie Brilliante (Arban)
No music — gives a real sense of performance. Good sound, stylish and confident. Not always convincing technically.
5. Matthew van Emmerik (Victoria), Euphonium, Symphonic Variants for Euphonium (Curnow)
Very ambitious work. Confident and convincing opening. Shame the accompaniment overpowers at times. Multiphonics ??? Some incredibly good playing but also some moments of doubt for us.
6. Mark Smith (South Australia), Flugel, Concertino for Flugel Horn (Himes)
Accurate and consistent though in need of more musical sparkle. True flugel sound not always evident.
7. Ben Noonan (Western Australia), Bb Cornet, Konzertstuck Nr. 2 (Brandt)
Some fine moments but overall lacking in consistency.
8. Joe Cook (Tasmania), Eb Bass, Variation for Ophicliede (Kummer)
A performance from a fine player who is obviously really enjoying his latest instrument change.
20th Annual Ern Keller Band of the Year
Winner: Prestige Brass
Solo Prize: Mark Howcroft, St Marys Band Club
Adjudicators: Professor David King, Brian Evans, Greg Aitken
Draw:
1. St Marys Band Club Brass, Paul Terracini
Overture — Shostakovich
When You Wish Upon a Star (arr. Terracini)
Quadre Bones (Green)
I Wanna Be Like You (arr. Terracini)
Dundonnell from Hymn of the Highlands (Sparke)
2. Prestige Brass, Mark Ford
Horizons (Lovatt-Cooper)
Virtuosity (arr. Peberty) Soloist: Paula Russell
Hymn from Gallimaufry Suite (Harper)
The Last Samurai (arr. van der Velde)
Aleotoric Interlude
Finale from "Paganini Variations"
3. Willoughby City Band, Andy Snell
Celtic Fire (Barry)
Irish Washer Woman (arr. Langford)
Irish Blessing (arr. Bradnum)
Final Fling (Sparke) Soloist: Jeff Ma
Three Scottish Dancess (arr. Farr)
4. Waratah Brass, Ron Prussing
Able (arr. Himes)
Charade (arr. Lloyd)
Summertime (arr. Snell)
Puttin on the Ritz (arr. Snell)
The Last Spring (arr. Steadman-Allen)
Excerpt from 'Swan Lake' (arr. Davis)
