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Australians take our Silverware
MEDIA RELEASE – Sunday 8 July 2008
For immediate release
Australians take our Silverware
The 127th NZ National Brass Band Championships were completed on the weekend in North Shore City with visiting Australian band Brisbane Excelsior Brass, under conductor Howard Taylor, taking the New Zealand A grade title for the first time. While only winning the sacred item they impressed the judges in other events to take the aggregate.
Brisbane Excelsior are recent Australian champions and Howard Taylor is the conductor for the National Band of New Zealand this year.
Second equal placed Dalewool Auckland Brass (conductor Nigel Weeks), took honours in the A grade test, and Kew Band Melbourne (conductor Mark Ford) were on equal points in the aggregate.
Woolston Brass (under new conductor Graham Hickman) were watched closely as they were 2006 champions. They were still in the prizes taking the Own Choice selection with a very fine account of Philip Wilbys’ Vienna Nights.
In other grades the up and coming band Pelorus Trust Wellington Brass (conductor David Bremner) took the B grade section, Eastern Bay of Plenty Brass (conductor Alan Spence) were worthy winners with a clean sweep in the C grade.
The D grade was a little closer with Papakura City Brass (conductor Ian Levien) winners and in the Youth Grade the Pelorus Trust Wellington Youth Brass took the hat trick after winning the previous three contests in the Youth Grade.
Earlier in the festival the Junior Champion of Champions was taken by talented cornet player Thomas Eves of Woolston Band Christchurch and the Open Champion of Champion also from Woolston – Phil Johnston Bb Bass (Tuba).
The Invitation Slow Melody event was hotly contested and local home town player Riki McDonnell (Euphonium) impressed the judges most.
Another home town victory was for the North Shore Brass who got some silver ware in the Scenic Circle Hotels Band of the Year entertainment competition on Sunday.
ENDS
Further details, points photos and commentary is available on www.brassnz.co.nz
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