News
April 2024 update:
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Well the start of the year has been a very busy one for us with all the preparations for the Nationals Band Championship and a Fringe event. Both events went well, see below for a Nationals wrap up.
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Easter Friday saw us perform our Hymn Tune and the Set Test Peice "The World Rejoicing." Both went pretty well and we were happy with our performance. Saturday saw many of the band members volunteering as officials at the event. Sunday night we played in front of a full Elder Hall as last band on before results were announced, we all kept our cool given the extra nerves and again came off the stage happy with our efforts.
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The results presentation showed the great comradery between all the competing brass bands with a very vocal/rowdy bunch. It was also a gripping score announcement (better than the Brownlow) as only 1 point separated the top three A Grade bands with the Champions Brisbane Excelsior winning on a count back to the Set Test Piece. We placed 8th out of 10 and were only one point behind our local rivals Kensington & Norwood Brass, so we are pleased with our efforts considering we are a regional community brass band. Follow this link for a full score sheet.
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Just a bit of a shout out to a few people also in regard to the Nationals. First of all, to Thomas Ludi-Schutz who stepped in to conduct at short notice to cover for Bruce Raymond. Tom did a great job in his first competition conducting, and at an A Grade level as well. You did a great job drilling us and keeping us calm. We also had a few people change instruments just prior, so they did well to adapt, they were Josh Ryan moving to Flugel Horn, Peter Fechner on Solo Horn, Keith Miller to Solo Cornet. We also had some new members come in so welcome to Simon McCauley on Tuba, Eliza & Matt Buckoke on Percussion. We'd like to also thanks our permitted players that helped, Jonathon Aston on Bass Trombone, Kerry Hewett on Tenor Horn & Corinne Eustice on Percussion. I hope I remembered everybody.
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Still on Nationals news, some more congratulations to give out. First to Shelley Spencer for having her composition "Saul" selected as the Open C Grade Brand Band National Set Test Piece. I'm sure this was a great honour and you enjoyed listening to all the different interpretations of the piece. Shelley also competed in the Open Bb Cornet Solo after a fairly lengthy absence from playing and scoring 85. To Ethan Fechner for competing in Junior Euphonium and scoring 85. And finally, we welcomed a new Band Baby during the Nationals with Poppy Hall arriving Sunday Morning to overjoyed parents Emily and Steven Hall. Thanks also to Jacob Staehr for filling in for Steven on Sunday.
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So now that's all over we are in great shape to focus on our next big thing that we all enjoy so much - Melodienacht!
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If you missed the announcements so far, we are overjoyed to welcome Libby O'Donovan as our guess artist this year. Tickets sales are now live on Ticketebo so head there to secure yours now! Musical Director Bruce Raymond is back to lead the band with some new music that I'm sure you will love as much as we do. The dates this year are Friday 24th and Saturday 25th of May, doors open at 7pm, show starts 7:45pm. Gather your friends, maybe consider booking some accommodation, and think about the food and drinks you will bring with you. Don't forgot the raffle with some fantastic prizes to be won on the night, and or legendary silent auction etc.
Once again on ANZAC day we will have the honour of playing at the Tanunda Dawn Service. Several of our players will also play at other various ANZAC day services.
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The band will also take part in the Barossa History Fair 5th May, with the band hall being open to visitors from 10am to 4pm, we will play at our hall at approximately 11am, Noon, and 2:30pm. The band is also set to play in the main street at around 1:30pm. This is a great chance for people to analyse our long and rich history as the oldest band in the southern hemisphere (Est 1857).
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