The Bunbury City Band is seeking to appoint a Musical Director to lead the band for a 1 to 3 year term commencing on 1 January 2014.
The Bunbury City Band has been providing entertainment and musical support to the greater Bunbury community for almost 110 years. Band members come from all walks of life and are widely varied in age and musical expertise.
The band has been winners of the National Brass band “C” Grade Championship in 1979 and winners of the Queens Cup competition in the South West on several occasions. The Band rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7.30 to 9.30pm in the band rooms located off Cobblestone Drive, Bunbury.
The Musical Director is required to:-
• Train the Band with the aim of high standards in musical performance.
• Administer all aspects of the musical program of the Band.
• Finalise arrangements for Band engagements in liaison with the Committee.
• Submit a written report at the Annual General Meeting.
• Complete such tasks as directed by the Committee which will contribute to successful performance by the Band.
A moderate honorarium is currently paid for this position.
Applications addressed to the Secretary, Bunbury City Band, PO Box 179, Bunbury WA 6231 will close on 1 November 2013.
For further information contact Graham Martinson on 0408 711 929 or gramart@iinet.net.au or look up the Bunbury City Band on Facebook.
Musical Director for Bunbury City Band
Trumpets and Tulips at Araluen
Bands from all over Perth head to the hills in September.
Escape the election madness on September 7 – head out to Araluen Botanic Park in Roleystone for a picnic and an afternoon of free musical entertainment by some of Perth’s best community bands. At the same time, explore the grounds of the park and enjoy the sights of the tulip festival.
The festival will commence in the main amphitheatre at 10.30am and run throughout the afternoon – weather permitting.
For more information visit the 4barsrest website. Park entry fees may apply.
2014 ‘National Australia Brass Youth Band’ Summer Course
The 2014 ‘National Australia Brass Youth Band’ summer course takes place January 18th -23rd 2014. The Course is 5 Days & 5 nights with accommodation & food provided at the Tallebudgera Sport & Recreation Centre, Gold Coast, Queensland. Tuition is by the NAB tutors under the directorship of Professor David King. The course is open to young Australian brass band musicians between the ages of 14-23. The course will again include a morning concert at Dreamworld and the day at the theme park.
Send an email to youth@nationalaustraliabrass.com to get your application form and full details.
Greg Longhurst Administrator
2014 National Australia Brass Youth Band
youth@nationalaustraliabrass.com
Ph 02 9572 8198 Mob 0430 466 747
Unley Concert Band SA
Nicole from Unley Concert Band in South Australia has asked that we post the following information.
“We are currently seeking a new musical director and have decided to extend our hunt to the rest of Australia.”
UK Cory Band
Here, finally (!), are the details of the welcome function that the Western Australian Band Association (WABA) will be hosting for the visiting UK Cory Band. All members and friends of affiliated bands are welcome.
Monday 5th August, 2013
3:00pm to 5:00pm
Duxton Hotel (Function Room 4)
1 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Canapes will be served
PYO Cash Bar available
RSVP by Friday, 2nd August to secretary@waba.asn.au or 0438 273 092
Please see also the flyer below with concert and booking details for those who have not yet booked. Good seats are still available.
Annual General Meeting – NOTE – Venue Change
Western Australian Band Association (Inc)
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
9:00 am, Saturday August 10, 2013
Canning River Eco Education Centre at the Kent Street Weir in Cannington (Wilson)
Executive positions for election in 2013:
Senior Vice President
Vice President, Contests
Secretary
Treasurer – extraordinary election, resignation
Nominations are invited for the above positions. Please use the nomination form.
Cory Band to Break New Ground Down Under
The current World number 1 brass band, World Concert Champions, and 2013 European Champions Cory Band will be heading for their first ever tour to Australia in August 2013.
Report & Results: 2013 Australian National Championships
Brisbane Excelsior reclaims National title in Perth under the baton of Howard Taylor.
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Brisbane Excelsior has regained their premier position as Australia’s leading top flight band by winning the 2013 National title amid the magnificent surroundings of Winthrop Hall at the University of Western Australia in Perth.
Challenge
Conducted by Howard Taylor, they narrowly beat off the challenge of the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia (RASWA) conducted by Dr Robert Childs, with Darebin City Brass directed by Tom Paulin in third.
Top class performances of ‘In This Quiet Moment’, ‘The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’, ‘ORB’ and ‘From Ancient Times’ gave the Queensland Band a four point winning margin in the four legged contest of hymn tune, set work, march and own choice selection – although the result was in considerable doubt as an inspired RASWA pushed the eventual winners all the way to the finishing line.
Iconic trophy
Brisbane topped the points scoring charts in the set work and march, but with Darebin claiming the hymn tune prize thanks to their performance of ‘The Day Thou Gavest’ and RASWA producing a top class rendition of ‘A Tale As Yet Untold’ in the own choice section, it was no wonder that MD Howard Taylor wore a relieved look on his face when collecting the iconic Fireman’s Helmet National Trophy.
In the end though, the greater depth of quality throughout the four disciplines over two separate days of competition, gave them their sixth victory in their last seven appearances at the National event – although not many of their previous victories would have perhaps been as close as this.
Opened door
Although they appeared to have clasped the famous winner’s trophy with two hands following their Friday afternoon performances of the hymn tune and set work, an uneven rendition of the Van der Roost own choice certainly opened the door for their local rivals, although they regained their composure with a rousing rendition of the old Oldham Rifle Brigade march to regain the title once more.
B Grade:
There was success to celebrate for Western Australian ‘Sand Gropers’ in the B Grade, as Perth’s Canning City Brass under Dr Geoffrey Lowe claimed their first ever national title.
Their performances of ‘I Vow to Thee My Country’, the set work, ‘Lyonesse’, the march ‘The Australasian’ and their own choice of ‘Mountain Views’ saw them claim the title by a clear five point margin from New South Wales rivals Toronto Brass, with City of Greater Dandenong in third.
C Grade:
There was also a clear cut victory for Marion City from South Australia in the C Grade, as they claimed their first national success since 1973.
Their performances of ‘In Perfect Peace’, ‘Northern Landscapes’, ‘Rolling Along’ and ‘Four Dances’ from the ballet ‘Checkmate’, gave them an eight point winning margin over runner-up Warringah Concert Brass, with Town of Victoria Park Brass.
D Grade:
There was also another first time winner in the D Grade, as Goldfields Brass directed by Keith Nicholas claimed the title by a massive ten point margin from reigning champion Warriparinga Brass, with Bunbury City in third.
Goldfields delivered a quartet of fine performances on their hymn tune, ‘Deep Harmony’, set work, ‘Prelude, Song & Dance’, march, ‘The Digger’ by Percy Code and their own choice selection of ‘Convergents’.
Other titles
In what was a very busy weekend if music making on the university campus, the Junior C Grade Brass Championship went to sole entrant Morawa DHS Senior Brass Band, whilst the prestigious Champion of Champions Solo Championship title was claimed by one of Australia’s rising young talents, 17 year old cornetist, Dominic Longhurst of St Mary’s Band Club Brass Band in New South Wales.
A full retrospective of the Australian National Championship will appear on 4BR in the next few days.
As it happened:
www.4barsrest.com/live/2013AustralianNationals
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‘…it was no wonder that MD Howard Taylor wore a relieved look on his face when collecting the iconic Fireman’s Helmet National Trophy’
~ 4BR
Open A Grade Brass:
Venue: Winthrop Hall
Adjudicator: Richard Evans
Points: Hymn/Test/Own Choice/March
1. Brisbane Excelsior (Howard Taylor), 2/6, 48/193/194/47=482
2. RASWA Brass (Robert Childs), 5/4, 47/191/195/45=478
3. Darebin City Brass – Preston Band (Tom Paulin), 6/3, 49/189/190/43=471
4. South Brisbane Federal Band (Mareika Gray), 4/7, 47/185/191/44=467
5. Footscray Yarraville (Phillipa Edwards), 3/8, 43/185/191/46=465
6. Brisbane Brass (Bill Barker), 8/5, 46/187/184/39=456
7. K&N Spring Gully Brass (Dr Kevin Cameron), 7/2, 46/183/185/41=454
8. Tanunda Town Band (David Polain), 1/1, 42/181/187/40=450
Open B Grade Brass:
Venue: Winthrop Hall
Adjudicator: Richard Evans
Points: Hymn/Test/Own Choice/March
1. Canning City Brass Band (Dr Geoffrey Lowe), 3/2, 43/186/191/40=460
2. Toronto Brass (Timothy O’Hearn), 2/1, 42/182/188/42=455
3. City Of Greater Dandenong (Michael Mathers), 1/3, 44/184/185/38=451
Open C Grade Brass:
Venue: Callaway Music Auditorium
Adjudicator: Mark Ford
Points: Hymn/Test/March/Own Choice
1. Marion City Band (Veronica Boulton), 1/1, 41/175/43/187=446
2. Warringah Concert Brass (John Saunders), 2/2, 40/172/41/185=438
3. Town Of Victoria Park Brass (Joshua Davis), 4/3, 37/168/38/179=422
4. Geraldton City Band (Joanne Sorensen), 3/4, H/35/165/36/176=412
Open D Grade Brass:
Venue: Callaway Music Auditorium
Adjudicator: Mark Ford
Points: Hymn/Test/March/Own Choice
1. Goldfields Brass Band (Keith Nicholas), 6/3, 36/163/38/166=403
2. Warriparinga Brass (Veronica Boulton), 3/4, 33/166/33/161=393
3. Bunbury City Band (Bill Curtis), 1/6, 32/161/34/162=389
4. Busselton Brass (Nicky Hair), 4/1, 30/160/36/163=389
5. The Challenge Brass Band (Les Sivwright), 2/5, 31/159/35/159=384
W. Melville AFA Brass), Brian Dodds), 5/2
2013 Australian National Championships – Preview
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to his trip to the Australian National Championships in Perth this weekend.
Winthrop Hall at the University of Western Australia in Perth
The 2013 Australian National Championships will be taking place this weekend at the University of Western Australia in Perth.
The excellent facilities at the University’s Winthrop Hall will provide the venue for all the main events, which will reach a climax with eight A Grade bands competing for the National title on the set work of ‘The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’ as well as their own choice selections.
Perth return
It is the first time that the Nationals have been back to Perth since 1979, and there is a great deal of excitement in the local banding community for an event that also encompasses the various National Solo Championship categories, a fine gala concert and the wonderful parade of bands on the Saturday through the streets of the city.
Richard Evans has been given the task of adjudicating the top section bands at the Callaway Music Auditorium. The A Grade action starts on Friday 29th March with the competitors getting to grips with their hymn tune choice and set work performance, followed on the Sunday by their march and own choice selections.
4BR will be in Perth, as Iwan Fox and Anthony Banwell bring you a flavour of the championships as well as teaming up with our friends at brassbanned.com who are streaming the action live on the internet.
More information:
For additional information about the 2013 Australian National Championships, please go to: nationalbands2013.com/
A Grade:
Friday 29th March: Hymn & Test Piece
Sunday 31st March: March & Own Choice
Adjudicator: Richard Evans
Test Piece: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Derek Bourgeois)
Competing bands:
Brisbane Brass (Bill Barker)
Brisbane Excelsior (Howard Taylor)
Darebin City Brass – Preston Band (Tom Paulin)
Footscray Yarraville City Band (Phillipa Edwards)
K&N Spring Gully Brass (Dr Kevin Cameron)
South Brisbane Federal Band (Mareika Gray)
The Royal Agricultural Society of WA Brass (Robert Childs)
Tanunda Town Band (David Polain)
There is a solid looking line up of A Grade contenders, with Dr Robert Childs leading local favourites The Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia Brass, as they seek to lay their hands on the famous Fireman’s Helmet National Trophy, which was first presented in 1971.
They are up against seven rivals, headed by pre-contest favourites and former champion, Brisbane Excelsior conducted by Howard Taylor, who have won this title on five of their last six appearances.
Marieka Gray has flown in from the UK to direct South Brisbane Federal Band, as they look to claim their first title since 1958, whilst former Grimethorpe principal cornet Tom Paulin leads Darabin City Brass.
The third Brisbane based challenger comes in the form of Brisbane Brass conducted by Bill Barker, whilst K&N Spring Gully will be looking to secure their first National title success since 2002 under the baton of Dr Kevin Cameron.
The consistent Footscray Yarraville City Band under Phillipa Edwards will be looking to improve on last year’s fourth place as they seek to recall memories of their great ‘triple crown’ success at the championships 30 years ago, whilst Tanunda Town makes a welcome return to the contest for the first time since 2005 under David Polain.
B Grade:
Friday 29th March: Hymn & Test Piece
Sunday 31st March: March & Own Choice
Adjudicator: Richard Evans
Test Piece: Lyonesse (Simon Dobson)
Competing bands:
Canning City Brass (Dr Geoffrey Lowe)
City Of Greater Dandenong (Michael Mathers)
Toronto Brass (Timothy O’Hearn)
Although there are just three bands competing in the B Grade event, there should be plenty of great music to enjoy as the trio tackle Simon Dobson’s wonderfully evocative ‘Lyonesse’ as the set work, before showcasing their own choice selections.
Last year’s runner-up Toronto Brass, led by Timothy O’Hearn is the possible pre-contest favourite, although they will expect a strong challenge from City of Greater Dandenong under Michael Mathers and Canning City Brass directed by Dr Geoffrey Lowe, who came 5th and 7th at the 2012 event.
C Grade:
Friday 29th March: Hymn & Test Piece
Sunday 31st March: March & Own Choice
Adjudicator: Mark Ford
Test Piece: Northern Landscapes (Peter Graham)
Competing bands:
Geraldton City (Joanne Sorensen)
Marion City (Veronica Boulton)
Town of Victoria Park Brass (Joshua Davis)
Warringah Concert Brass (John Saunders)
Four bands line up to battle it out in the C Grade event, where adjudicator Mark Ford has the task of finding out who is best on the set work, ‘Northern Landscapes’ by Peter Graham and their own choice selections.
Marion City Band returns to defend its title under the baton of Veronica Boulton and will be favourites to do just that, despite what promises to be a strong challenge for last year’s fifth placed finisher Warringah Concert Brass, and the debutants of Geraldton City and Town of Victoria Park Brass.
D Grade:
Friday 29th March: Hymn & Test Piece
Sunday 31st March: March & Own Choice
Adjudicator: Mark Ford
Test Piece: Prelude, Song & Dance (John Golland)
Competing bands:
Bunbury City (Bill Curtis)
Busselton Brass (Nicky Hair)
Goldfields Brass (Keith Nicholas)
The Challenge Brass Band (Les Sivwright)
Warriparinga Brass (Veronica Boulton)
Five bands line up to tickle the fancy of adjudicator Mark Ford in the D Grade contest, with last year’s third placed finisher Warriparinga Brass the only returnee.
They are up against four bands that are either making their debuts or haven’t competed at the championships for well over a decade in Bunbury City, Bussleton Brass, Goldfields Brass and The Challenge Brass Band.
Junior C Grade:
Friday 29th March: Hymn, Test Piece, March, Own Choice
Adjudicator: Mark Ford
Test Piece: The Territorians (Bill McAllister)
Morawa DHS Senior Brass (Dean Carslake)
Just the one band in the Junior section (and no bands in Junior A or B), so a chance to relax and enjoy a winning performance without the added pressures of worrying about rivals for Morawa.
National Band Championships at Easter
Hi all.We are still in dire need of volunteers for the National Band Championships at Easter – particularly on Easter Saturday morning when we are simultaneously running the Parade of Bands in Northbridge, and the Concert Band competition at UWA.
If you have a few hours to spare and think you could help, please contact me ASAP. There is a volunteers’ induction day TOMORROW, Saturday 16th March, but if you cannot attend that you will be briefed separately.