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This year's Australian Nationals see ten bands compete in the Open C Grade Brass. The C Grade competition is the only Open Brass contest where a reigning champion (Wonthaggi Citizens’ Band) can reclaim their National title, but there will be nine other bands looking to spoil the party! For whoever is crowned champion, B Grade contesting will surely not be far away. The C Grade competition has proven in the last 7 years to be a strong predictor of formidable B Grade bands, with Marion City (2012/2013 Winners) and Northern Brass (2014/15 Winners) both winning back to back C Grade titles, prior to Latrobe Federal’s 2016/2017 success. Could this year's winner go on to be another strong B Grade contender in years to come? Only time will tell!  Test Piece – ‘A Summer Rhapsody' by Kerry ThomasAnother newly commissioned work, ‘A Summer Rhapsody’ is a compositional change from Waespi’s ‘The Graces of Love’ from last year’s National contest. Very Philip Sparke in style, this work will certainly be well enjoyed by the bands. Rich with colour, strident rhythmic passages and catchy melodic lines, there is plenty for the C Grade competition to bite their teeth into. Rhythm is going to be the crucial challenge for bands. The final section is driving, yet the fluctuations between 4/4 and 6/8 may prove problematic on the ever-excitable contest stage, even after weeks of extensive practice. The syncopations and semi-quaver ostinati particularly in the cornets will also prove to be a real determinant in band’s test piece result and may even decide the competition! Looking at last year's Nationals test work results, Wonthaggi stood out heads and shoulders from the remainder of the competition on the test work (three points clear of second place), so they will likely be setting the benchmark of performance standard for day one. Maitland City secured a 3rd place with Waespi’s test piece in 2018 (much higher than their overall 7th place), so a similar confident rendition of ‘A Summer Rhapsody’ could secure them another high score this year. PredictionsWonthaggi Citizens’ will be the front runners after their formidable victory last year. However, this is their first interstate contest since 2004, and playing on unfamiliar territory may unsettle them! Also venturing up from Victoria are recently promoted Creswick Brass Band. Coming off the back of their National Open D Grade victory last year, alongside a C Grade victory at Mount Gambier in November, a determined Creswick may prove to be a real challenge to the C Grade field. Warriparinga Brass are heading up from South Australia. A poor day in the office on the Sunday last year saw them fall to 11th place, after their formidable 2nd place at Launceston in 2017. A 3rd place at the South Australian States and 2nd place at Mount Gambier hopefully has them eyeing off 1st at the Nationals in a few weeks’ time. Heading further north to New South Wales, South West Sydney Brass enter their first National contest since 2015. Having never dropped below 3rd place, they are a particularly strong outfit for contention. Joining them are Bankstown City and Maitland City. Bankstown City have narrowly missed out on placings at the last two NSW State Band Championships, and will be looking to rebound from their 12th place finish at the Nationals last year. Maitland City sat in the middle of the pack in Melbourne in 7th, and struggled in the State Championships in 6th, but will also be looking to return to success! The final four competitors all enjoy a home state advantage, and will be hungry to keep the trophy from going interstate anytime soon! No Queensland bands competed in the Open C Grade Nationals last year, but all four National contenders partook in the Queensland State Championships. Placing 2nd were Nambour & Maroochy District “Sunshine Brass”, who really shone in the sacred item and march. 3rd place went to Brisbane Brass No 3, who have enjoyed a fair share of success at a state level but have missed out on National placings since 2006’s Open D Grade 2nd place. In 4th place last year were Capricornia Silver, who have settled in nicely into the C Grade competition since 2016, but will be looking to return to higher grades. Closing out the Queensland competitors are Bayside Brass, who haven’t competed at the Nationals since 2014, but with Jennifer Owens at the helm will be looking to rebound off their 5th place at the States last year. All in all, a fantastic line up of bands, but here are my predicted top 5: 1) Wonthaggi Citizens’ 2) South West Sydney 3) “Sunshine Brass” 4) Warriparinga 5) Brisbane Brass No 3 Dark Horse: Creswick You might also like...
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AuthorJared has written articles for the British Bandsman, as well as local community radio stations 3MBS and Radio Monash. 
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