Winners are grinners
Preston Band – Runners Up in ‘A’ Grade Competition
The Darebin City Brass – Preston Band has once again done the City of Darebin proud with a truly outstanding performance at this weekend’s competition. Under the Musical Direction of the renowned Ken Macdonald, Preston Band produced some of their finest playing of the last 24 months.
Adjudicator, Graham Lloyd had this to say of the bands performance,
“The clarity, style and overall sound of the band is truly exceptional. This has been a thoroughly enjoyable performance and one of the finest performances I have heard in this country”
Unfortunately, adjudicator Lloyd found it difficult to separate the top two bands and could only fault the band a mere 1 point behind winners, Footscray Yarraville Band.
Soloists of the day were on song. Charles Young on Tenor Horn and Jenny Magoulas on Flugelhorn made light, flawless work of their cadenzas in Preston’s Major Work, Paganini Variations. Special mention must also be made of first time Principal Cornet, George Melitsis who could not be faulted in his performance.
Preston is beginning to show great signs of once again rising up the ranks of Australian banding after a number of months of auditioning prospective Musical Directors.
Congratulations to both bands on an outstanding effort over the weekend. You have done your band and the City of Darebin proud!
Northern Brass – State ‘C’ Grade Champions
Nowhere in Australia’s Brass Band history has there been a more successful ensemble than the Darebin City Brass – Northern Brass.
Under the direction of Chris Lee, Northern Brass has once again proved themselves worthy of their outstanding reputation, taking out the Victorian State ‘C’ Grade title for a second time. Northern has proven itself the masters of Hymn and onstage March performances, winning the Aggregate and Champion title for the 2010 competition.
Band President and Northern MD, Chris Lee noted in his acceptance speech the need for organisations such as Darebin City Brass. Banding organisations which foster and develop the talents of the younger players are the future of the brass banding movement.
“I want to make sure I can enjoy banding in 10 – 20 years. Without the efforts of those in our organisations such as the invaluable Jack Kelly O.A.M. banding will die. I congratulate the Juniors who have played in all bands this weekend, and all who have supported through their formative years.”
Congratulations go to Northern Brass and those members of Preston who have worked together to produce this fantastic result.