Dalewool Auckland Brass Clinch Second Brass Band Title
A record 31 bands and 250 soloists attended the 124th Brass Band Championships held this weekend in Christchurch. It was
a triumph for Dalewool Auckland Brass conducted by Nigel Weeks. Defending their title from 2003 the band celebrated wins
in the test and own choice selection to win by 2 points over rivals NZ Community Trust Woolston Brass of Christchurch
who won the Sacred Item section.
Chief Adjudicator Dr Bob Childs placed Trusts Waitakere Brass third in the A grade who were conducted by fancied English
conductor Gary Cutt.
Dalewool now move on to the British Open in September, a first for them but continuing a proud history of New Zealand
success in the home of brass bands.
Earlier the B grade was won by Trust Porirua City Brass under veteran Kevin Jarrett, just beating new comers to the B
grade the Alpine Energy Timaru Brass by only one point. Third placed were New Plymouth City Brass.
The C grade saw another Woolston band take the grade. Woolston Junior Band in only their third year in the C grade took
the honours while in the D grade Dalewool Youth Band also conducted by Nigel Weeks capped off the weekend for the
Aucklanders.
The champion street march band honours were shared between two Cantabrian bands Canterbury Foundation Brass and NZ
Community Trust Woolston. Champion Drum Major was Todd Turner of Canterbury Foundation Brass.
Solo events were well patronised and none less so than the invitation slow melody. A relatively new event, which is now
well established in the brass band contest scene. It now attracts an international field from players that are
attending with their bands. Riki McDonnell (Euphonium) an Aucklander playing with Marlborough Districts Brass held off
to take the Kevin Jarrett Cup over second placed Trevor Bremner (Cornet) of New Plymouth City Brass.
Bremner was also second in the Champion of Champions event and this was won by David Chaulk (Trombone) – a Canadian now
living in Wellington. Phillip Johnston of NZ Community Trust Woolston Brass (B flat bass) was third.
Earlier in the day heats for the Junior of Champion of Champion had Alexandra Bowman of Tanunda Town Band clinch the
trophy – a notable first for an Australian. Second was Slade Hocking (Cornet) of Alpine Energy Timaru Brass with Joshua
Stevens (Euphonium) of Hawera Municipal Band taking third place.