The Wind Symphony, conducted by Simon Reade, won the open A grade Concert Band section, while the Brass band, conducted by Simon Cawthorn, won the open B grade Brass Band section.

6 Ensembles

The Hobart City Band, which has 6 different ensembles, and over 100 members, has worked very hard over the past few years to raise the standards of all its ensembles to a national level. The recognition of this over Easter is a great achievement for the band.

Wind Symphony

The Wind Symphony won the Hymn (Be Thou My Vision), and the test piece, while coming second in the March (Little Ripper), and Own Choice (Extreme Makeover).

Conductor Simon Reade said “he had made the band learn a hell of a lot of notes and was very proud of the players and the hard work they put in”.

The Wind Symphony made the move to A grade at the 2007 Nationals and came 2nd, so it was very satisfying to improve that result in Sydney – especially with the caliber of bands competing in the section (all former winners of the A grade title).

Clean Sweep

The Brass Band made a clean sweep winning the March (The Contestor), gaining 49 points in the Hymn (In Perfect Peace), Test Piece, and own Choice (Dances and Arias).

It was a privilege to conduct the players in the band over the last 4 years.Simon Cawthorn, MD Hobart City Band

Simon Cawthorn was over the moon with the win saying: "It was a privilege to conduct the players in the band over the last 4 years”.

This is the second B grade National title for the brass band in the last 3 years after it was regarded from D grade in 2005 and C grade in 2006.

Busy

Both bands have a busy concert schedule coming up with the Hobart Eisteddfod, Annual Hobart City Band Gala Concert and Tasmanian State Championships.

In addition the Wind Symphony has high profile performances for the 60th Intervarsity Choral Festival in July and a concert in November of new works by Tasmanian Composers.

Both bands will feature on a CD currently in production of the winning repertoire from the Sydney Nationals, and look forward to preparing for the nationals in 2010 when it will be held in Hobart.