How the Aussies Fared at the NZ National 2004
Over 100 Australians made the journey across the Tasman to participate in the 2004 New Zealand Nationals. As well as Willoughby City Band, who competed in the A Grade section, many went across to play in the solo events, several played for New Zealand bands, and others went to purely spectate and absorb the 5 days of intense, high quality brass banding that the NZ Nationals are renowned for. Helen Hoy, the NZ Contest Manager says, “….the support and participation from Australians at the NZ contest was overwhelming”. The Australian Nationals (held over Easter) and the NZ Nationals (held in July) provide the major contesting platform for brass banding in the Southern Hemisphere.
As usual, the contest held separate solo events for each of the instruments. Most events required the soloists to play a set test piece. Winners of these events then ‘played off’ for the overall Champion of Champions (Juvenille, Junior and Open). The Junior Champion of Champions winner was Alexandra Bowman (Eb Tenor Horn) from Tanunda in South Australia, who played Variations on a Welsh Theme (accompanied by Catherine Jones). Only 1 point behind Alexandra in the Junior Tenor Horn was Nicky Abkiewicz from Holroyd Brass in Sydney.
Competing in the Open Champion of Champions from Australia were Mark Fitzpatrick (Soprano Cornet – Rhapsody for Eb) from Hawthorn Band in Melbourne and Amanda Casagrande (Flugel Horn – Golden Summer Day by Andrew Batterham) from Brisbane Excelsior. Mark now holds both the Australian and New Zealand Soprano cornet titles, as well as being 2004 Australian Champion of Champions. For Amanda, the NZ title follows up on her 2003 Australian win on Flugel Horn.
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The ensemble from Holroyd Brass (Sydney) comprising Michelle Stewart, Fiona Stryowski, Nicky Abkiewicz and John Saunders playing Images (Steadman-Allan) were victorious - an outstanding result for such a strongly contested event (this year there were 17 entries).
In other solo events, Aussies were also well represented. Those to compete included James Bowman from Tanunda who came 2 nd in the Under 15 other instrument; Brent Hoy from Brisbane Excelsior who came 3 rd in the Open Amateur cornet (Zelda by Percy Code); Grant Hughson from Willoughby City Band, Sydney came 2 nd in the Open Bass Trombone playing Book of Alleged Romances by David Chaulk; John Saunders from Holroyd Brass (Euphonium – Party Piece by Phillip Sparke); Rick Casagrande from Brisbane Excelsior (Bb Bass – Haworth Suite movements 3 and 4 by Andy Duncan); John Szkutko from South Brisbane Federal (Eb Bass – Concerto for Tuba (from letter M) by Martin Ellerby); and, the open tenor horn (Sonata for Horn (movements 2 then 1 by John Golland) had 3 Aussies competing – Veronica Bowman (Tanunda), Imelda Moore (Brisbane Brass) and Ken Bradley (St Mary’s Band Club, Sydney).
Other Australians to take the stage within the ranks of competing bands were John Thomas, Howard Taylor and Matthew van Emmerick.
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Supporters from the Gunnedah Shire Band in New South Wales, led by Jason Katsikaris, and Julie Woods from Brisbane XLCR were ever present.
Mark Fitzpatrick (Hawthorn) and Brent Hoy ( Brisbane XLCR)
