Record Attendance at Champs

MEDIA RELEASE – 3 July 2006

For immediate release

RECORD ATTENDANCE AT CHAMPS

A record number of brass bands are to attend the 126th Brass Band Championships in Dunedin this week.

Spokesman Owen Melhuish says “We welcome 30 bands from throughout New Zealand including two from Australia, that’s over 1000 musicians, plus supporters who will be looking to take home trophies from the many events over the five days of competition. A southern south island contest normally has an average of 24 bands but this year we have a record number attending including over 250 soloists.”

Chief Judge will be Kenneth Young from Wellington who himself is a brass player with a distinguished career with the NZSO. He will judge the Invitation Slow Melody event which since 2000 has

become more and more popular (Wednesday 5th July 8.00pm Glenroy Auditorium a the Dunedin Centre) as well as the Open Champion of Champions (Thursday 6th July 7.30pm at the same venue) followed by band events in four grades on Friday and Saturday at the Regent Theatre and Kavanagh College. Kevin Jarrett MBE will assist Young in choosing the top bands.

Bands will also parade through the Octagon on Friday lunchtime.

After four days of competition the 126th NZ Brass Band Championships will be down to the wire as two Kiwi banding greats battle it out for the coveted Scenic Circle Hotels Band of the Year.

It is a classic Canterbury versus Otago clash with NZ Community Trust Woolston Brass from Christchurch (David Gallaher) away to St Kilda Brass of Dunedin (Steve Miles) who perform at the Regent Theatre Dunedin on Sunday 9th July at 2.00pm.

Door sales at all venues bookings for the Scenic Circle Hotels Band Theatre www.ticketek.co.nz

Contest details and results available from website www.bbanz.co.nr

ENDS

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