News

7 Sep 2008

Warringah is Sydney's Best A Grade Band

Warringah Concert Brass gave a convincing performance at the recent State Championship held at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith on Sunday.

Kew Band (VIC) took out first place, followed closely by Waratah Brass (Newcastle), and then Warringah Concert Brass.
Our scores placed us a solid third in each section, with an overall third placing. This is a pleasing result considering this is our second year competing in A grade.

Warringah
Hymn: 45
Test: 91
Own Choice: 94

Holroyd
Hymn: 42
Test: 88
Own Choice: 89

Kew
Hymn: 47
Test: 94
Own Choice: 96

Willoughby
Hymn: 41
Test: 87
Own Choice: 92

St Marys
Hymn: 40
Test: 87
Own Choice: 88

Waratah
Hymn: 46
Test: 95
Own Choice: 95

Our Youth Band won the Junior B grade section, but unfortunately had no competition this year.

16 Aug 2008

Warringah Concert Brass with Special Guest - Professor David King

16 August, 2008
Musical Director: John Saunders
Guest Soloist and Conductor: David King
Chatswood Salvation Army

The Warringah Concert Brass conducted by John Saunders played to a near capacity audience at the Chatswood Salvation Army.

The audience was treated to a precise and well balanced portrayal of James Curnow's Fanfare and Flourishes. The band embarked on a rendition of the first piece that was commissioned as a purely brass band composition for a major competition – Labour and Love composed by Percy Fletcher. The band featured dramatic work by the tenor horn, euphonium, trombone and cornet soloists as well as tender moments throughout the piece. The basses in some of the quieter sections were very precise and tuneful, really adding full tone colour to the band sound.

Now for what the crowd was waiting for – David King taking up the cornet, for the first time as soloist in Sydney in 30 years. David gave us all an unforgettable rendition of the cornet solo classic, The Paragon composed by E. Sutton. With sympathetic band accompaniment, there were warm and delicately played sections by David which were an absolute delight to listen to. The technical demands, and in particular the triple tonguing and interval work was so precise – the playing standard is world class.

The band then settled in to perform a quiet piece, Reflections in Nature, composed by Robert Redhead. While the beginning was a bit tentative and not quite together, the band settled quickly with the bass end laying an awesome quality of sound, providing the rest of the band a great platform to blend into. The last section began to build from very subtle and sensitive percussion playing and warm bass sounds, through to the tutti section which was well balanced with great blending of tone colours, and then the climax to a big full band sound finish.

We all then were treated to another solo from David, Over the Rainbow, arranged by Ray Farr. Again David showed us such a warm sound filled with much emotion. The band balance was steady with great vertical sounds from the band; however at times a little loud. Nevertheless the ensemble did show very sensitive and controlled playing.

The band got serious – they gave the audience a "by the skin of your teeth" performance of the major work it will be performing as its Own Choice in a few weeks time. It was very dramatic and the euphonium soloist was absolutely awesome in his sections, with the basses again providing amazing colour and texture to the band sound and performance. Well done band. With 3 weeks to the NSW States, the band will be ready and will make an impression with this piece.

With a well earned interval for David King and Band, the Warringah Youth Band under the baton of David King took the stage and we were treated to a very moving rendition of Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus, arranged by Patrick Rivers. The tone colours, balance and maturity of playing and sound quality of this young ensemble was truly amazing. David really worked the young musicians well to give them some self confidence by giving them a taste of their unlimited potential.

John Saunders came back to the stage where the band then gave us a very spirited, well balanced, confident and exciting rendition of the piece, Oregan, by Jacob de Haan – this young ensemble is firing and is well prepared to take out the NSW Junior B Grade title.

WCB retook the stage and entertained with a rendition of Cartoon Music by Peter Graham. It was fun stuff and the band seemed to enjoy the shenanigans of the percussion section and the 2nd Euphonium player who killed the nightingale!


David King - the cornet player


David came back on one last time to give a most memorable performance of Concerto for Trumpet, composed by Harry James (arr. Elgar Howarth). The piece was in big band style and David showed both subtle tone and brash panache which astounded the audience with the incredible technique, sound and style of playing throughout this performance.

The band showed the warm sounds and soft dynamics it's capable of with a moving rendition of A Little Prayer composed by Evelyn Glennie (arranged by R. Childs). This performance was reflective and peaceful, and the bass sounds were subliminal – a truly gorgeous piece.

And to finish off the program, David King took the Warringah Band through its paces with a rendition of Shine as the Light composed by Peter Graham. The sounds coming from the band are truly special and at times the sound and technical playing absolutely amazing.

I truly enjoyed the performance by the Warringah Bands tonight. David King as guest soloist and guest musical director was absolutely world class and is a very rare and special person who gives and motivates like I've never seen. This was a very special night.

This outing for the band was a great preparation for the NSW State Championships coming up on the 6th and 7th September 2008 – A Grade competitors – watch out!

Stephen Kiraly

8 Jun 2008

Warringah do it again!!!!


WCB has again stamped its seal on being the most entertaining band in NSW!

At the East Coast Championships held in Newcastle on the June long weekend, Warringah won the entertainment section of the Championship.

The Own Choice Test and Hymn section was won by Waratah Brass Newcastle by a small margin.

27 Apr 2008

FABB Invitation

Warringah Concert Brass is proud to announce their invitation to attend the FABB Australasian Open in 2008.

The Federation of Australasian Brass Bands has a goal to promote the banding movement to all levels of our community and hope that individuals with musical talent and inclinations have a viable pathway into the community whether their goals be as a professional or amateur musician.


A great result by WCB at the 2008 National Championships in Brisbane as well as our 4 year winning streak at the Battle of the Bands has made WCB very deserving of our place in this competition.

This invitation only competition is the first if its kind in Australasia and we are extremely excited about the opportunity to be a part of it.

26 Apr 2008

Go the Sea Eagles!

Before a crowd of over 16,000 people WCB performed as the pre match entertainment prior the Sea Eagles vs. Bulldogs.
The Sea Eagles were victorious over the Bulldogs in the game.
The performance gave WCB the opportunity to play in front of the appreciative local crowd.