Commentary on day 2

Owen Melhuish

Day two of the Champion Brass on the Shore has run smoothly according to the organisers. All events have run mostly to time and a friendly atmosphere by officials and volunteers in all the various halls has ensured competitors and supporters are enjoying themselves.

An interesting story from the Bass Trombone event as Stephen Lomas from the BTM band in Wales had entered the event as he was passing through New Zealand on a holiday. He had not been to a competitive event like this before but took first place and a spot at the Open Champion of Champions tonight.

A highlight for Phil Johnston was the gaining of an amazing 99 points in his Open BBb Bass event judged by Adrian Raven.

The large field in the Open Euphoniums was a closely run affair with 20 starters, the title going to talented player David Chaulk.

Early evening the Junior Champion of Champions was picked from a talented field with third placing going to Marimba player Angus Wilson of Boorandara Brass from Melbourne, second was 2005 winner Vinny Jervis (EEb Bass) of Castle Trust Hamilton Brass with outright winner being a Woolston Junior Band product in Thomas Eves (Bb cornet). Thomas is now fourth man down in the Woolston’s front row team.

Tonight’s Champion of Champions event was world class according to the three judges Adrian Raven, David Gallaher and Kevin Jarrett. “There is great strength in New Zealand banding currently” said Kevin Jarrett. “We had a real hard job picking the winner from three outstanding performances” said Jarrett.

They gave special mention to Fendall Hill (Eb Soprano) who played his own composition Definitions. Third placed was tenor horn player Mike Ford of Marlborough District Brass who performed Rhapsody No.1 for Eb Horn by John Golland. Second was an artistic performance by cornet player Trevor Bremner of Tucker by Erik Leidzen with the winner being New Zealand’s own world class bass player Phil Johnston playing Variations for Ophicleide by G Kummer and his accompanist was Jill Pears. Phil last won the Champion of Champions in 1998.

Trevor Bremner, Phil Johnson and Mike Ford

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