The 2016 Yamaha Australian National Band Championships was declared a great success by bands, soloists, adjudicators, officials and visitors alike over the Easter weekend.
Holding the event at Trinity College in the City of Gawler, north of the City of Adelaide, proved to be an inspired choice as the city embraced the Championship with much enthusiasm. The streets were decorated with banners for days before the event, provided by the City, which added to the festive atmosphere that gave the bands a perfect setting for their Parade of Bands display on the Saturday morning which was live streamed across the world by Brassbanned.com. This part of the weekend can be seen here.
Local media added to the festivity with good support ensuring the Championships were given good exposure to the locals.
The weekend commenced on the Friday morning when the Brass Bands presented their Hymn and Test music for the adjudicators illustrating by their performances that many weeks of rehearsal had been devoted to preparing the bands to offer their very best While the Concert Bands performed throughout the Saturday the Parade of Bands unfolded in the main street of Gawler which attracted a large crowd in a carnival atmosphere. The local coffee shops did a great trade as people watched the bands strut their stuff with great displays and a variety of bright music.
On Sunday the brass bands returned to present their Own Choice and Stage March selections across the four grades before the adjudicators delivered their score sheets to the officials and the results were announced. The final day (Easter Monday) had a packed program of both brass and concert band soloists presenting their best to win their various sections with an option of then entering the Champion of Champion sections in both categories for both junior and senior sections.
The organizers chose a great venue for the Championships with ample room around the grounds for various food stalls and spaces where both competitors and visitors could relax and enjoy the company of like-minded friends, both old and new, and browse the varied trade stalls. The enthusiasm of the large contingent of volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the weekend really made the event a success for the participants as things generally flowed along as planned. A huge 'well done' is directed to everyone involved for a great weekend of community banding at its best.
The full results of the weekend have been posted here.
The attention now shifts to Launceston for the 2017 Yamaha Australian National band Championships which will be held at Easter on the weekend of April 14th to 17th.
