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*This article was written for the British Bandsman Magazine*
Source: Facebook
Sydney City Brass, under Jason Katsikaris, have claimed the Australian National A Grade title for 2019, conquering some of the biggest names in Australian banding in the process. Finishing 10 points clear of WA Brass under David Bremner in 2nd place, the newly formed Sydney group left a lasting impression on the banding community, not least of which being Steven Mead in the adjudicator’s box. Brisbane City Hall’s Main Auditorium’s rich reverb proved to be a popular acoustic for the event.
At results, it was the popular locals Brisbane Excelsior who secured victory in the hymn first up. However, Sydney City Brass’ powerful performance of set work ‘Handel in the Band’ by Kenneth Downie put them on track for victory. Darebin City Brass – Preston Band rebounded from a tough day in the office on Friday with the highest scoring performance of the weekend with 194/200 on Own Choice major work “Hypercube” by Oliver Waespi. However, Sydney City sealed their victory with the winning on-stage march with their powerful rendition of ‘The President’. The project band, who faced some criticism online for their un-orthodox formation, sealed the National title in formidable fashion, taking the Fireman’s Helmet back to Sydney with them.
Brisbane Excelsior still secured a placing in 3rd, a surprise to the public’s predictions both online and at City Hall. Their Brisbane counterparts in Brisbane Brass No. 1 and South Brisbane Federal Band secured 5th and 6th place, with Darebin City Brass – Preston Band’s strong Sunday performance pushing themselves into 4th place. Open A Grade adjudicator Steven Mead expressed that he was “very pleasantly surprised” by the Australian A Grade competition. “I was expecting one or two very good bands but as it turned out there were at least five or six. The winning performances in the set test piece and own choice wouldn’t have been out of place in any Championship Section National Finals in the UK. I guess my only criticism would be that some bands tried to emulate the really biggest dynamics of some of the European bands, and at times this just didn’t work for them as the musical ideas got rather bloated and the sound distorted.” About Sydney City, Steven Mead said they “did a fantastic job on the set test piece ‘Handel in the Band’, capturing every nuance, and really making the score extraordinarily transparent. Jason Katsikaris really worked the band hard and got them to fully appreciate his wishes.” This year’s Nationals also marked the final championship of Australian banding legend Mark Ford, who saw off his banding career under the baton of son Broden Ford in A Grade band Kew Brass. Mark’s legacy at Kew Band and Brunswick Brass in many respects shaped the direction of banding in the early 21st Century, and his contributions were acknowledged in the awarding of the Frank Wright Medal to him in 2018.
In the Open B Grade, it was Waratah Brass Newcastle who secured the National title after a commanding victory on the test piece of Benjamin Tubb-Hearne’s ‘The Legend of Pandora’ and Own Choice selection ‘Tallis Variations’. They were a narrow two points ahead of Geelong West, with Toronto Brass in 3rd. Adjudicator Barrie Gott, who had the difficult task of ranking the 16 band competition, exclaimed at results that “I’m still looking for Pandora!” but found that there were “some wonderful performances”.
In the Open C Grade, Craig Marinus’ Wonthaggi Citizens’ band reclaimed their Australian National title with a clean sweep of all four of the on stage events, winning a remarkable 10 points clear of Bankstown City Brass, who were narrowly followed by Sunshine Brass. ‘A Summer Rhapsody’ by Kerry Thomas was well-loved across the grade, with most bands performing better on the set test than their own choices on Sunday.
Far Northern Brass secured their first National title in the Open D Grade competition. Eaglehawk Citizens’ secured a very narrow victory on the test piece ‘Vengeance’ by Jared McCunnie, but could only manage 2nd place overall, with Thuringowa Brass Band coming 3rd.
The Street Parade on Saturday was tested by rain and threats of thunderstorms, but proceeded to the mass appeal of the general public. Assessed on quality of Inspection, Change of Direction, Music and Drill, the Street Parade provides an opportunity for the brass bands to play for the general public and put on a more entertaining performance, with many bands turning to creative and contemporary culture for inspiration. It was B Grade band Sunnybank Brass who secured the most entertaining turn prize, followed by Victorian C Grade bands Wonthaggi Citizens’ and Creswick. The Jim Brill Memorial Trophy for Best Drum Major was appointed to Trish Allen of Cairns Brass.
Oceanic brass banding will return in July with the 2019 New Zealand National Band Championships in Hamilton. For the remainder of 2019, Australian bands compete in their respective State Band Championships throughout August and in smaller local competitions right through the year. In 2020, the Australian National Band Championships will be held in Perth, Western Australia.
RESULTS Open 'A' Grade Brass Band Results: Place) Band: Hymn; Test Piece; Own Choice; Stage March = Total 1) Sydney City Brass (NSW): 91; 191; 193; 96 = 571 2) WA Brass (WA): 89; 189; 191; 92 = 561 3) Brisbane Excelsior Band (QLD): 92; 188; 185; 94 = 559 4) Darebin City Brass - Preston Band (VIC): 84; 180; 194; 95 = 553 5) Brisbane Brass (QLD): 90; 186; 187; 88 = 551 6) South Brisbane Federal Band (QLD): 86; 176; 188; 90 = 540 7) Glenorchy City Concert Brass (TAS): 88; 178; 178; 93 = 537 8) Kew Band (VIC): 83; 183; 181; 89 = 536 9) Warringah Concert Brass (NSW): 85; 182; 177; 91 = 535 10) Cairns Brass No. 1 (QLD): 87; 173; 183; 87 = 530 11) Willoughby Band (NSW): 82; 172; 175; 86 = 515 Highest Placed Australian Band (Gal John Trophy): Sydney City Brass (NSW) Highest Aggregate Points (Ian Mathers Trophy): Brisbane Excelsior Band (QLD) Open 'B' Grade Brass Band Results: Place) Band: Hymn; Test Piece; Own Choice; Stage March = Total 1) Waratah Brass Newcastle (NSW): 85; 187; 184; 96 = 552 2) Geelong West Brass Band (VIC): 96; 184; 176; 94 = 550 3) Toronto Brass (NSW): 97; 168; 182; 95 = 542 4) Box Hill City Band (VIC): 95; 181; 168; 90 = 534 5) Brisbane Brass No. 2 (QLD): 89; 175; 180; 89 = 533 6) Gunnedah Shire Band (NSW): 93; 185; 170; 83 = 531 7) City of Greater Dandenong Band (VIC): 83; 174; 178; 93 = 528 8) Townsville Brass (QLD): 86; 178; 174; 85 = 523 9) Parramatta City Brass (NSW): 82; 171; 172; 92 = 517 10) City of Launceston RSL Band (TAS): 94; 180; 156; 84 = 514 11) Marion City Band (SA): 91; 164; 166; 91 = 512 12) Darebin City Brass - Northern Brass (VIC): 92; 169; 154; 87 = 502 13) Surfers Paradise Brass (QLD): 90; 159; 158; 88 = 495 14) Windsor Brass (QLD): 87; 162; 164; 81 = 494 15) Sunnybank Brass (QLD): 84; 165; 162; 82 = 493 16) Canberra Brass (ACT): 88; 158; 160; 86 = 492 Open 'C' Grade Brass Band Results: Place) Band: Hymn; Test Piece; Own Choice; Stage March = Total 1) Wonthaggi Citizens' Band (VIC): 91; 190; 189; 91 = 561 2) Bankstown City Brass (NSW): 90; 187; 186; 88 = 551 3) Nambour & Maroochy District "Sunshine Brass" (QLD): 89; 188; 184; 89 = 550 4) Capricornia Silver Band (QLD): 84; 179; 187; 90 = 540 5) Warriparinga Brass (SA): 88; 185; 180; 86 = 539 6) Maitland City Brass Band (NSW): 85; 181; 182; 87 = 535 7) Brisbane Brass No. 3 (QLD): 86; 183; 178; 84 = 531 8) Creswick Brass Band (VIC): 87; 177; 173; 83 = 520 9) South West Sydney Brass (NSW): 83; 174; 176; 85 = 518 Open 'D' Grade Brass Band Results: Place) Band: Hymn; Test Piece; Own Choice; Stage March = Total 1) Far Northern Brass (QLD): 90; 190; 188; 88 = 556 2) Eaglehawk Citizens' Brass Band (VIC): 88; 192; 187; 86 = 553 3) Thuringowa Brass Band (QLD): 89; 189; 185; 87 = 550 Junior 'B' Grade Brass Band Results: Place) Band: Hymn; Test Piece; Own Choice; Stage March = Total 1) Sunshine Coast Youth Band - Bright as Brass (QLD): 88; 193; 191; 83 = 555 2) North West Junior Band (TAS): 87; 192; 192; 82 = 553 Junior 'C' Grade Brass Band Results: Place) Band: Hymn; Test Piece; Own Choice; Stage March = Total 1) Brisbane State High School Brass Ensemble (QLD): 86; 187; 179; 85 = 537 2) Brisbane Brass Juniors (QLD): 84; 185; 178; 84 = 531 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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