West Coast District Brass Band Association
District Contest

19-20 August 2006

On a weekend that had promised doom and gloom weather-wise, Motueka Band and their stalwart Contest Committee beat the odds and provided beautiful, if a little cold (but what could one expect at this time of the year) weather for the West Coast Brawss Band Association Contest held on 19-20 August.

It was pleasing for the host band and the Association to have all but one of the member bands taking part – although all bands had members present. Due to the vast area that this Association covers, it has been found necessary to conduct the solo and party events on the same weekend. It was extremely pleasing to have the Takaka Citizens Band taking part as they have not been available in years past. Bands people were in relaxed social mode and enjoyed Takaka’s participation. Bands taking part were Hokitika, Motueka, Marlborough, Nelson, Takaka and Westport.

Neil Seaton, Chief Adjudicator, and Andrew Mitchell, Assistant Adjudicator, commented at the conclusion of the contest that it had been an enjoyable weekend of banding, that the standard in all cases had been very high and this showed that banding within this region was healthy. Chief Military Judge, Les Stanton, also commented on the high standard presented in the Street March saying it had been hard for his “merry men” to choose winners from the contesting bands.

At the closing event – the “Concert” of light items - Association Vice President, Doug Sowman, thanked all who participated, especially the Motueka Band for its dedication in running this enjoyable contest, and announced that next year’s contest would take place at Greymouth in May. As a final accolade, Association Chief Supervisor, Richard Simpson, made the comment that the contest had flowed smoothly and problems had been minimal. We now all look forward to Greymouth in 2007.

Results:

Street March
1st Marlborough First Class
2nd Westport Municipal
3rd Takaka Citizens

Champion Drum Major
Chris Lawton, Nelson City Brass

Sacred Item
1st Nelson City Brass
2nd Marlborough First Class
3rd Westport Municipal

Selection
1st Marlborough First Class
2nd Nelson City Brass
3rd Westport Municipal

Stage March
1st Marlborough First Class
2nd Nelson City Brass
3rd Westport Municipal

Entertainment Selection
1st Marlborough First Class
2nd Nelson City Brass
3rd Westport Municipal

Champion Conductor
Nicola Moynihan, Marlborough First Class

Novice Slow Melody
1st Rory Milne, Hokitika Municipal
2nd Robert Riach, Marlborough First Class

Junior Slow Melody
1st Vincent Milne, Hokitika Municipal

Intermediate Slow Melody
1st Nathan Keoghan, Westport Municipal
2nd Ben French, Nelson City Brass
3rd Simon Moroney, Nelson City Brass

Premier Slow Melody
1st Michael Ford, Marlborough District Brass
2nd Denis Teeling, Marlborough District Brass
3rd Graham Moseley, Marlborough District brass

Veterans Slow Melody
1st Peter Goodman, Nelson City Brass
2nd Maurice Abrahams, Nelson City Brass

Junior Solo – 13 yrs and under Air & One Variation
1st Daniel Black, Marlborough First Class
2nd Letitia Moseley, Marlborough First Class
3rd Georgia Scherf, Marlborough First Class

Junior Solo – 15 yrs and under Air & 1-3 Variations
1st Steven Moseley, Marlborough First Class
2nd Hannah Cunningham, Marlborough First Class

Junior Solo – 17 yrs and under Air & Variations
1st Marsha Mason, Westport Municipal
2nd Blair Mason, Westport Municipal
3rd Erynne Scherf, Marlborough First Class

Intermediate Solo – Air & Variations
1st Nathan Keoghan, Westport Municipal
2nd Adrian Laurence, Nelson City Brass
3rd Shannon Kissell, Marlborough First Class

Premier Solo – Air & Variations
1st Michael Ford, Marlborough District Brass
2nd Kevin Moseley, Marlborough District Brass
3rd Denis Teeling, Marlborough District Brass

Open Duet
1st Marlborough District BB No. 1, Marlborough District Brass
2nd Westport No. 1, Westport Municipal
3rd NelMot, Nelson City Brass/Motueka Municipal Combination