Brisbane Excelsior and its Musical Director, Howard Taylor, won every event at the Australian National Championships in Adelaide. With near perfect scores in all 5 events, adjudicators Kevin Jarrett and Barrie Gott both independently thanked XLCR for providing them with performances that rated as one of the finest musical experiences they have heard………” the winning band’s performance of ‘Tristan Encounters’ was better than the top three performances from the 2004 NZ Championships and equal to any band in the world”. (Kevin Jarrett)
The bands performance of Paganini Variations left not only many of the audience in tears, but also several of the players. Contest officials were seen mopping the floor of water after the horn section had left the stage!
Barrie Gott commented on the delivery of the hymn tune “His Provision” – XLCR knew the words to this hymn and played with great sensitivity.
A very emotional Musical Director, Howard Taylor, achieved one of his major goals – the Australian National Championships, and dedicated his award of the Champion Conductor to his father.
Dale Hosking, soprano cornet for XLCR, had a ‘blinder’ of a weekend and was suitably awarded the Musos Media award for best soloist in an A Grade band. Other soloists in the bands performances included Rodney Everitt, Paula Russell, Amanda Casagrande, Steve Ridler, Ashley Gittins, Brenden Wheeler, Brad Hosking (with tuning slide in!), Brett Baker, Julie Woods, Steve Whittington, Rick Casagrande, the percussionists, and of course, the 3rd cornets. There was also frequent mention in the adjudicators comments about the high quality of the band accompaniment.
Drum Major, Rick Casagrande, celebrated the third year in a row where XLCR were awarded the prize for the best A Grade marching band in Australia. There is no doubt that the presence of Black Dyke trombonist, Brett Baker, within the ranks of the band for the street march contributed enormously to the bands success in this event this year.
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