Three of our bands (Brass, Wind, and Junior Brass) have been super busy over the past few months preparing for the National Band Championships in Newcastle. The 2023 event was the first time Nationals has been held “live” since 2019, and the first time in New South Wales since 2015, so it was a great opportunity for Wollongong to showcase our bands on the “national stage”.
Junior Brass Band: National C Grade Champions!
Congratulations to the Junior Brass Band, winning the Junior C Grade Brass Band competition with a clean sweep! The band played extremely well, placing 1st in the Hymn (“In Perfect Peace”), Test (“Fanfare, Theme & Finale for the HPs!”), Own Choice (“Neverland”), and Stage March (“Slaidburn”). There was some great individual and collective playing, and the audience loved their performance!
Wind Band: National C Grade Champions!
Congratulations to the Wind Band, winning the C Grade Concert Band competition with a clean sweep! The band produced some of its best performances to date, placing 1st in the Hymn (“O Magnum Mysterium”), Test (“K2 – The Savage Mountain”), Own Choice (“Beyond The Lucent Portal”), and Stage March (“Boomerang”). All of the soloists rose to the challenge, and there was some wonderful sectional and collective playing as well. Adding another dimension to an already special occasion, the band was privileged to have the composer of their Own Choice work “Beyond The Lucent Portal”, Jack Hwang, in the audience for the performance. Thanks to Jack for his wonderful composition, and to our Musical Director Leanne Walton for including the piece in our program and pushing the band to new heights!
The band has come a long way since our contest debut at the 2019 NSW State Band Championships where we placed 2nd in Open D Grade.
Julian Eckermann: 2nd Place Junior Euphonium!
Congratulations to Julian Eckermann from our Junior Brass and Brass bands, placing 2nd in the National Solo Junior Euphonium event! This year’s test piece “Freefall” by Jared McCunnie was extremely challenging, and Julian produced a brilliant and dynamic performance. It’s an honour for us to have such a talented euphonium player in our bands.