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XLCR wins 2005 QLD Championships

June 13, 2005
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Howard Taylor being presented with the Baxter Family Trohpy for the Champion A Grade Band, by Maryborough Deputy Mayor Julie Arthur

Brisbane Excelsior, under the musical direction of Howard Taylor, has won the QLD State A Grade Championship held in Maryborough, June 11-13. The band won the Hymn, Test Selection and Stage March sections.

Windsor Brass with conductor, Dale Hosking

Windsor Brass, led by Howard and Dale Hosking, performed admirably on the weekend also, this being their first time in the B Grade section. They received 3rd in the Hymn Tune and Stage March.

The XLCR percussion section won Best Percussion Section at the “Best of Brass” Gala Concert as well as for the Parade of Bands.

2005 QLD Champions of Champions, Paula Russell with adjudicator Simon Kerwin

Excelsior were also convincing leaders in the solo events with the band claiming 9 individual titles. These were:
Julia Russell – Novice Upper Brass (closely followed by Mark Nettle and Kelly Clarke-Flesser from Windsor Brass)
Imelda Moore – Under 19 Any Other Instrument
Imelda Moore – Junior Champion of Champions
Dale Hosking – Open Soprano
Paula Russell – Open Bb Cornet
Paula Russell – Champion of Champions
Amanda Casagrande – Open Flugel and Champion of Champions runner-up
Steve Ridler – Open Horn (VERY closely followed by Imelda!)
Brad Hosking – Open Baritone
Stuart Bent – 2nd Open Trombone
Julie Woods – 2nd Eb Bass
Allan Lonergan – 3rd Eb Bass

Photo Gallery

Allen sharpens his skills

June 5, 2005
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Allen Clark recently attended a conducting workshop organised by ABODA (Friday, 3 June 2005), where he had an opportunity to conduct the Queensland Youth Wind Symphony for twenty minutes.

The workshop is held once a year. The band is over seventy strong and the minimum qualification is grade six AMEB or equivalent. Each member has to audition for the band each year.

“I was a little nervous to begin with, but the band members were very accommodating.” Each session was video taped so that each conductor could keep his/her own copy. The piece Allen selected to conduct was one of the movements from “Of Sailors and Whales” by W Frances McBeth, which has five movements based on scenes from Melville’s book “Moby Dick”.

Thanks to Allen Clark

Hundreds turn up to hear Windsor Brass

May 22, 2005
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Windsor Brass in Concert with
Wavell State High School Concert Band
(musical director Malcom Bell)
Sunday 22 May, 2005
Kedron-Wavell Leagues Club Community Centre
Musical Directors – Howard Taylor, Dale Hosking

Windsor Brass in Concert

What a fantastic concert this was! Newly promoted Windsor Brass performed to a full house at the Kedron-Wavell Leagues Club Community Centre. The audience response was somewhat overwhelming for this rapidly rising band, but it was a response they thoroughly deserved.

Windsor Brass featured two of its stalwarts in the concert – Jeff Herbert and Colin Topp. These two gentlemen have become inspirational figures in the banding movement. Jeff, playing The Nightingale (completely without music) accompanied by Windsor Brass, showed off his fluent technique on a piece he obviously loves. The audience thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated Jeff’s performance – I think he did too!

Jeff Herbert – Photo courtesy of Melanie Gregory

Colin Topp – what a class act! Colin played Watching the Wheat with a silky smooth sound and sensitive treatment. As with Jeff’s performance, the audience gave Colin a lengthy ovation which was only fitting for such a fine icon of brass banding.

Colin Topp – Photo Courtesy of Melanie Gregory

Another feature for the afternoon was Julie Woods. Gosh this lady can perform! Fresh from a week in hospital, Julie took to the stage with her usual captivating style and had the audience wanting for more! Julie sang Fever and Big Spender – her delivery fitting the mood of the pieces perfectly!

Windsor Brass also played the Hymn Tune (Spirit of the Living God), Stage March (Punchinello) and excerpts from the Test Pieces (Images and Music for a Festival) they will be playing at the State Championships in the B Grade section to be held in Maryborough on June 11-13.

The afternoon concert also featured the very talented Wavell State High School Concert Band directed by Malcolm Bell. This band played extremely well and obviously has some fine up and coming musicians within its ranks.

Well done Windsor, Howard and Dale. The concert was a huge success, and the presentation and delivery were superb.