National brass band champs a century first for Timaru

National brass band champs a century first for Timaru

The public of Timaru will be treated to a musical extravaganza in brass next month that has been 100 years in the making – for the first time in over a century the region will host a national brass band contest.

The contest from July 4 until July 8 will bring together more than 1000 players, 29 bands and 750 supporters in a five-day musical extravaganza of brass that will also include a dazzling display by top A-grade Australian band Footscray-Yarraville City Band, from Melbourne.

A 25-band Stafford Street march between 12:15pm and 2pm on Friday July 6 will offer a spine-tingling display of precision marching, sparkling uniforms and instruments, and stirring brass music.

Chairman of the Heartland Festival of Brass Timaru 2012 Eoin Powell, of Timaru, said today the Melbourne band would brave chilly South Canterbury conditions to put on their best display, showcasing the quality of a top-notch A Grade Australian brass band.

“Their test piece, Breath of Souls (P.L. Cooper), is a brand new work, not one year old,” Mr Powell said.

“It had many interesting features, including no mutes for any players and multiple choice cadenzas. They are very excited to be a part of this competition, and look forward to making some great music,” he said.

Mr Powell said organisers were delighted to bring the first national championships in over a century to Timaru.

“But it is tinged with some sadness. The earthquakes in Christchurch had robbed that city of the spectacle. The quake damage in 2010 and 2011 had caused the national management committee to relocate the spectacular event. So their loss is our gain,” he said.

Mr Powell said nine A Grade, eight B Grade, six C Grade and five D Grade bands, as well as the Nelson Vivace Youth Brass Band would give stunning displays.

“They are all very excited to be part of this elite competition and are looking forward to making some great music.”

He said the public was welcome to attend any of the contest events being held from Wednesday July 4 until Saturday July 7 at the various venues throughout Timaru.

Solo and ensemble events will be held at Aoraki Polytechnic on the Wednesday and Thursday, with the other premier solo events at Mountainview High School on those days also. The junior champion of champions will be at Mountainview High School at 5pm on Wednesday July 4. On the Friday and Saturday, A and B Grade band events will be held at the Theatre Royal, while C and D Grade band events will be at Mountainview High School.

Mr Powell said the public was considered when planning the spectacle of displays.

Of particular interest will be the invitation slow melody at Mountainview High School, at 7:30 pm on Wednesday July 4; the Champion of Champions event at Mountainview High School at 7:30pm on Thursday July 5; the street march in Stafford Street, between 12:15pm and 2pm on Friday July 6 involving 25 of the bands, and the Band of the Year event at the Theatre Royal at 2pm on Sunday July 6.

Mr Powell said Timaru had fared well in other top level brass band championships.

“In 2003 our own Alpine Energy Timaru Brass Band took out the B Grade competition in the Australian Brass Band Championships.

“They have always been a strong contender in the B Grade at all national contests, and we are hoping for local success in 2012,” Mr Powell said.

“We would encourage the South Canterbury community to support the contest by attending as many events as possible, and providing a warm welcome to all the contestants.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media