Australian National Championships 2004

The Nationals, Launceston 2004
Australian Brass Band Championships
Various bands and conductors
Muso's Media: MM2014
Total Playing Time: 2hrs 5.09

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It was the name of Chief Adjudicator, Major Ian McElligott who made the headlines as opposed to the bands at this year's Australian Championships for ex military man in his oral adjudications certainly raised a few eyebrows over the course of the weekend.  Interesting listening then when casting the critical ear over the competition's compilation CD then! 

At the end of the day, the adjudicator's lot can be a lonely one as they are the one's required to come up with a result that only one band will agree with; the rest as Fred Mortimer used to say, can make their own arrangements.  Well, it's a case of taking it on the chin (something the Australians for one aren't too great at doing it must be said), and moving on the next contest, but the way in which it was done by this adjudicator bordered not just on the distasteful, but also on the faintly ludicrous. This made "Bodyline" seem like a mild disagreement between friends.

This is a disc of intriguing listening.  When you look at the tracks on the double CD, you see a good mix of Test pieces, Hymns, Marches and incidental music from across the various sections. 

The set work in the A Grade section, Martin Ellerby's Chivalry receives two, yes two, airings.  Hawthorn Band under Tom Paulin were declared the overall winners and you get an indication of the quality of this band in their performance of the work.  A nice fat round sound, with some exceptional soprano playing from Mark Fitzpatrick who in addition became the champion soloist for his weekend's efforts.  Also, Hawthorn are featured with the winning hymn, Love Divine, and William German's, The President. 

The producers of the disc decided that Brisbane Excelsior's performance of Chivalry should be included on this release.  Fortunately for 4BR, Katrina Marzella gave us an insight into the Championships as she was playing with Brisbane XLCR (as they like to term themselves).  Without question, Brisbane's interpretation is extremely musical, and made an impression on this reviewer a little bit more than Hawthorn's performance, but that's contesting and whether the judge was right or wrong with his decision is a mute point -  it is only their decision that counts. 

Those that were present can have the opportunity to review the performances and decide for themselves what they think. For those that weren't present, two contrasting performances and for Katrina, a permanent reminder of what appears to have been a memorable weekend.

Elsewhere on the disc, Waratah Brass (Ron Prussing) give a thoroughly enjoyable (and very musical reading) of Peter Graham's dark work, 'Montage',  and it was this performance that had them declared as 'own choice winners'. The band is also featured with a neat performance of Robert Redhead's 'Reflections in Nature'.  Fans of Philip Sparke's music get two offerings.  Firstly, Between the Moon & Mexico, which helped Kew Band and Mark Ford achieve fourth place overall.  In addition, Gunnedah Shire (Jason Katsikaris) performed in the B Grade section and Sparke's 'A London Overture', helped the band win the own choice section.  In addition, the band performed High Command, a march that brought them success in the winning stage March category. All three performances are of a high quality indeed.

The B Grade winners however were Alpine Energy Timaru Brass (Dwayne Bloomfield) from New Zealand.  Discover why in a piece by the conductor, entitled 'Behold the Narrows from the Hills' - it is very nicely played.  Away from the serious compositions on the release, enjoy a real gem when it comes to euphonium playing with Joe Cook in the Meditation from Thais.  The man's class shines all the way through.

NZ Community Trust Woolston Brass is also featured twice.  Firstly, in the march, ORB, that certainly doesn't hang around tempo wise at the beginning (to put it mildly) and the have the honour of bringing the whole disc to its conclusion with Derek Bourgeois' 'Blitz'.

Major Ian McElligott's opinions at the contest certainly add a touch of spice when listening to this recording of the weekend's events.  Ok, this disc is only a snapshot, but you get a good idea of the standard of the Australian competition, and it does make you wonder how bands such as Brisbane Excelsior and Hawthorn to name just two, would get on in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.  On this evidence, they would certainly hold their own. Certainly a disc that is recommended for those present to listen again, and for those that weren't, a chance to be your own judge on what you hear, without upsetting anybody.

Malcolm Wood

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