Commentary on day 1

Owen Melhuish

Day one of the 127th NZ National Brass Band Championships has dawned fine and mild but stormy conditions expected.

Crowds of people have been “hanging out” at the Bruce Mason Centre as there is a nice café atmosphere in the foyer area. The trade stands are experiencing good visitor numbers and there are many to choose from including the merchandise stand of Prestige Products which can produce Champion Brass on the Shore branded polo shirts, mugs, caps, music satchels and even teddy bears overnight for bands people.

Young players from Ascot Park Hotel Brass of Invercargill enjoy some social time in the Bruce Mason Centre Cafe	The KBB Music trade stand is popular with all musicians especially cornet players as there is a draw to win a Getzen 782S Eterna II Bb cornet.

After small minor crises with bomb scares and actual bomb explosions at Glasgow Airport Chief Adjudicator Nigel Boddice did get to New Zealand albeit a little shattered. He was interviewed today on Radio New Zealand Concert by David Morris (available on www.radionz.co.nz)

Tonight the Simon Hocking House of Travel Invitation Slow Melody competition was a feast of the finest playing from three countries – Australia, United Kingdom and New Zealand.

Third placed was Philip Johnston (BBb Bass) who played a sensitive Rusulka’s Song to the Moon (Dvorak) with accompanist Jill Pears. Second place was Trevor Bremner (Bb Cornet) playing Saturday Serenade from Manhattan (Philip Sparke) accompanied by his wife Betty.

Outright winner chosen by the panel of three judges Kevin Jarrett, David Gallaher and Nigel Boddice was Ricky McDonnell (Euphonium) playing the second Welsh national anthem Myfannwy (Parry) with a unique combination of piano (Petula Patey) and Harpist (Melody Lin). Ricky played number 12 of 12 and this was worth the wait as he won the Kevin Jarrett trophy for the second time.

Riki McDonnell, winner of ISM

[ Contests page ] [Previous commentary]  [Next]  [Inv. Slow Melody]