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Australian Brass

Last Saturday, 4 July'98, I attended a magnificent concert at the ABC
studios in Sydney by the Australian Brass. Despite the fact that this group
had only had the opportunity to practice together for a week, the standard
of playing was impeccable and the programme wildly entertaining! This is a
championship grade brass band comprising top players from every state in
Australia who get together for a week or so every year to prepare a quality
programme and tour several towns giving brilliant concerts.

*  Carnival Overture: Dvorak
*  Rusalka's Song to the Moon: Dvorak - (a sweet Conrad Curry on cornet)
*  March from Symphonic Metamorphosis: Hindemith arr. Barrie Gott
*  Air from Suite in D: Bach (made me wish I was back on Horn)
*  Isaiah 40: Redhead       (as 1st bari in the Oz National last Easter in
Melbourne, I strongly empathised with Matthew van Emmerik for the solo in
the first few bars!)
*  Trombone Vespers: Steadman-Allen (made me glad I'm back on Trom.)
*  William Tell Finale: Rossini

*  Fanfare for the Common Man: Copland arr. Snell   (nearly blew out the
lights in the auditorium!)
*  Batman
*  Bugler's Holiday: Leroy Anderson - (all lower cornets as soloists!)
*  Leningrad: Billy Joel arr. Sebregts
*  Mapleleaf Rag: Scott Joplin arr. Goff Richards
*  Psalm 100: Curnow
*  Stars and Stripes Forever: Sousa
*  with an encore of Procession to the Minster. (how come they had any lip
left?)

It is a real pity that the audience numbered only about 150, much less than
each of the other 3 concerts on the tour, despite the large number of brass
bands in Sydney. It's an interesting question as to why most bands couldn't
muster a dozen of their players to come and support such a worthwhile
venture and be hugely entertained as well. Is it that publicity within the
brass band community was inadequate, even though every band secretary
received a letter? Or is it that most band players have no interest in
listening to other bands? Or could it even be; "no-one from MY band was
selected"?

The concept of Australian Brass developed after a visit to Europe in 1993
by John Thomas of Queensland, himself a talented and experienced tenor horn
player. Having played with some of the finest brass ensembles in Europe, he
returned to Australia with a burning ambition to form an ensemble combining
some of the best of Australian Brass. Two years later, with the help of
principal trombone player, Greg Aitken, also steeped in the best traditions
of brass banding, "Australian Brass" was formed.

Applications were invited from the brass band fraternity of Australia and
in July 1995 in Melbourne, Australian Brass become a reality. Musical
direction was given by Eric Banks OBE and Mac Carter. During their
week-long rehearsal they held workshops and recorded their first CD as well
as a final concert in the prestigious Dallas Brooks Hall.

In September 1996 they met in Adelaide for another week of fine music under
Eric Banks. In 1997 the Band made a successful tour of southern Queensland
under the direction of Barrie Gott. This year the Band toured Northern NSW
with very successful concerts and workshops in Tamworth, Inverell and
Newcastle, again under the direction of Barrie Gott. Barrie is a composer,
adjudicator and teacher who is trained in trumpet and currently is the
Musical Director of the A-grade Brisbane Excelsior Band.

After the concert we all repaired to the Museum pub near the infamous Kings
Cross for a few ales and a spread of sandwiches and party nibbles. Many
thanks to all who organised the tour and gave their time and services,
particularly Digger and John Thomas and the Saunders. Apparently most of
the extra-curricular activities of the band players were monitored by the
evil eye of Monkey (yes, he of this band list!). Step out of line (his
line) and the wrong-doer would be awarded an inordinate number of "snot
points". Accumulate too many of these and the unfortunate would be given a
red card and subjected to a public punishment, the details of which cannot
be disclosed in a family forum such as this! Garry Kosky, of
Waratah-Mayfield Band, as the last and most deserving recipient, is
probably still aching after that evening at the pub.

A brilliant, if temporary, band. A great group of guys! A great time was
had by all. Can't wait till next year!


Darrall Cutting
Warringah Concert Brass.


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