News

4 Aug 2007

David Thornton Concert @ St Andrews Cathedral

Review By Mark Howcroft;


When attending a concert featuring one of the world’s foremost Euphonium players, you obviously expect to hear some great playing.
I can only say that David Thornton was simply awesome tonight!
In the wonderful acoustic of the famous Saint Andrews Cathedral, David Thornton, together with Warringah Concert Brass, put forward a splendid program.
Opening with Gordon Langford’s On Ilkley Moor, the band got everyone used to the acoustics. A little dark for an opener but well played none the less.
It was then time for David Thornton’s first offering in the shape of Philip Wilby’s magnificent Concerto for Euphonium. This four movement tour-de-force is a definite challenge for both soloist and band. Whilst the band did seem at times to be too loud in their accompaniment, the magical sound of David shone through brilliantly to fill every corner of the Cathedral. David’s performance was absolutely flawless and only proved why he is regarded as one of the best in the business. The extended applause at the finish was very much deserved! The band did well under the direction of John Saunders in the tricky accompaniment, but unfortunately tended to over power the soloist at times.
The Day Thou Gavest was next up which displayed a truly big sound from the band with some very controlled and balanced playing.
David Thornton returned to stage to introduce the next item entitled Arioso which he himself has arranged from the enduring melody by Bach, for Euphonium quartet. The quartet was doubled to feature some of Australia’s best Euphonium talent. David, together with Matthew van Emmerick, Barry Garnon, Bob O’Brien, Thomas Humphrey, John Saunders, Matthew Hurditch and Mark Howcroft, filled the Cathedral with euphoria.


David then took centre stage once again to perform Terry Camsey’s A Joy Untold which easily got the hairs on the back of your neck tingling. This was some of the most beautiful Euphonium playing I have ever heard. Truly stunning.
Mark Freeh’s arrangement of the Cuban classic Malaguena rounded off the first half which showed off the band’s versatility with pizzazz.
Peter Meechan has certainly contributed some fine works for Brass Band and his fine composition Purcell Variants was an excellent opener for the second half. John Saunders interpretation of the score was inspiring and was clearly the band’s best contribution for the night.
The audience eagerly awaited the return of David Thornton and he certainly did not disappoint. Andy Scott’s My Mountain Top was easily the highlight of the night. Complete with accompanying CD, the band took a short break while David displayed what can only be described as a mesmerising display of shear talent. David had moved position half way down the Cathedral’s isle to allow the surround sound CD accompaniment to envelope the entire performance. I, along with every member of the audience, were spellbound by David’s sensitive playing. This is an absolute gem of a piece and David is to be congratulated for introducing this fine work to the Euphonium world.
David took a short break for the band to perform Dean Goffins The Light of the World which showed that the band was also capable of sensitive playing.
Devils Duel by Peter Meechan is the title track of David Thornton’s latest CD which takes its inspiration from the story of Paganini whose virtuosity was astounding. David certainly proved that he too is also capable of outstanding virtuosity in this energetic work.
David’s final offering was a very moving performance of Joy Webb’s There Will Be God. What a fitting choice to end with. David left no doubt that he can stir the emotions right to the very end.
It is often said that the famous Black Dyke Band have boasted Euphonium legends for over 150 years. Well, David Thornton is a living one!!
The Band finished the night off with Eric Ball’s The Kingdom Triumphant which was a fitting conclusion to a very memorable concert.
Mark Howcroft

6 May 2007

Warringah Youth wins Sydney Metros

CONGRATULATIONS TO SOLOISTS IN THE YOUTH BAND!

Members of Warringah Youth Brass have again proved that they are a force to be reckoned with. At the Metropolitan Solo Championships, Warringah Youth Brass scored a total of 73 points in the aggregate shield competition for their first ever win of the shield.
This win comes on the back of the band's National Championship win in Ivanhoe at Easter.
Results-
UNDER 11 ANY INSTRUMENT (RESTRICTED)
Katrina LLOYD, Warringah Concert Brass 88

UNDER 11 ANY INSTRUMENT - UNRESTRICTED
Dominic LONGHURST, City of Holroyd 97
Katrina LLOYD, Warringah Concert Brass 85
Sean HOU,t George Brass 75

UNDER 11 SLOW MELODY
Katrina LLOYD, Warringah Concert Brass 85

UNDER 13 NOVICE CORNETS
Mitchell BOYD, Bankstown City 80
Leslie HEMPERGER, St George Brass 81
Robert SELOSSE, Willoughby Band 82
James POWER, Warringah Concert Brass 83

UNDER 13 NOVICE
OTHER BRASS INSTRUMENTS
Chris MANN, Warringah Concert Brass, 82
Lachlan WILSON-POINTER, Willoughby Band, 80
Michael POWER, Warringah Concert Brass, 81

UNDER 13 ANY BRASS INSTRUMENT
Stephen KING, Warringah Concert Brass 83
Daniel HURDITCH, Warringah Concert Brass 80
Dominic LONGHURST, City of Holroyd 88
Jeremy LLOYD, Warringah Concert Brass 86

UNDER 13 SLOW MELODY
Dominic LONGHURST, City of Holroyd 86
Daniel HURDITCH, Warringah Concert Brass 80
Jeremy LLOYD, Warringah Concert Brass 85
Stephen KING, Warringah Concert Brass 82
Chris MANN, Warringah Concert Brass 81

UNDER 13 DUETS
Sean HOU & Dean HOU, St George Brass 75
Jeremy LLOYD & Daniel HURDITCH, Warringah Concert Brass 85

UNDER 15 TUBAS
Euan WILSON-POINTER, Willoughby Band 81
Stephen KING, Warringah Concert Brass 82
James BARROW, Castle Hill RSL Youth 84

HARRY WOODS MEMORIAL AWARD
UNDER 15 OTHER BRASS INSTRUMENTS
Jeremy LLOYD, Warringah Concert Brass 84
Siobhan McGUINNESS, Willoughby Band -
Laura CHRISTIAN, Warringah Concert Brass 85
Adam POWERS, Warringah Concert Brass 86
Jack D'ARCY, Willoughby Band 83

UNDER 15 SLOW MELODY
Luke RYAN, De La Salle Caringbah 80
Adam POWERS, Warringah Concert Brass 83
Siobhan McGUINNESS, Willoughby Band _
Adam BOKARIS, Bankstown City 81
Laura CHRISTIAN, Warringah Concert Brass 82
Matilda MORAN, Sutherland PCYC 85
Joshua SPRAKE, De La Salle Caringbah 81

UNDER 15 ANY BRASS INSTRUMENT
James BARROW, Castle Hill RSL Youth 80
Kostas KOTROLOS, De La Salle Caringbah 81
Adam POWERS, Warringah Concert Brass 82
Dominic LONGHURST, Mountains Youth Band 88

UNDER 19 TRUMPETS & CORNETS
Tara ROBERTSON-HALL, Sutherland Shire Brass 74
Angus LLOYD, Warringah Concert Brass 72
Stephen NAPPER, S.S.S.W.E -

UNDER 19 OTHER BRASS INSTRUMENTS
Blake ROBERTSON-HALL, Sutherland Shire Brass 89
Denbigh MORRIS, Castle Hill RSL Youth 88
Joshua JAWORSKI, Sutherland PCYC 87
Daniel BRUNKER, De La Salle Caringbah 84
Matthew HURDITCH, Warringah Concert Brass 85

UNDER 19 SLOW MELODY
Kelly McGUINNESS, Willoughby Band 70
Angus LLOYD, Warringah Concert Brass 69
Daniel BRUNKER, De La Salle Caringbah 62
Stephen NAPPER, S.S.S.W.E -
Hayley BERRY, Sutherland PCYC 69
Sarah MELDRUM, City of Wollongong 87
Tara ROBERTSON-HALL, Sutherland Shire Brass 84
Nicky ABKIEWICZ, City of Holroyd 97
Matthew HURDITCH, Warringah Concert Brass 94
Rebecca YOUNG, Meriden School 85
Blake ROBERTSON-HALL, Sutherland Shire Brass 88
Jacqueline LUCK, Yagoona District 70
Joshua JAWORSKI, Sutherland PCYC 75

UNDER 19 ANY BRASS INSTRUMENT
Stephen NAPPER, S.S.S.W.E -
Rebecca YOUNG, Meriden School 85
Kelly McGUINNESS, Willoughby Band 87
Matthew HURDITCH, Warringah Concert Brass 92
Joshua JAWORSKI, Sutherland PCYC 86
Nicky ABKIEWICZ, City of Holroyd 97
Blake ROBERTSON-HALL, SSB Concert 89
Daniel BRUNKER, De La Salle Caringbah 85
Sarah MELDRUM, City of Wollongong 91

8 Apr 2007

WCB at 2007 National Championships

The 2007 National Brass Band Championships saw the return of Warringah Concert Brass (WCB) to the A Grade arena. On the first day of competitions WCB put in a very strong performance in both the test piece, 'Terra Australis' (Ellerby) and the hymn selection 'The Light of the World' (Goffin). For the first year back in A grade, being placed 6th in the hymn and 7th in the test piece in a field of 16 bands is quite an achievement. The second day of competition consisted of the own choice major work 'English Heritage' (Lloyd) and the stage march 'The Arabian' (Rimmer).

It is clear to all at WCB that being in A grade is a challenge, and that we have established a good platform to springboard from in the future. One pleasant surprise to the group was a top ten placing in the street march under the direction of drum major Darren Cole.

6 Apr 2007

Warringah Youth Brass Victorious in Junior C Grade

Warringah Youth Brass, under the musical direction of John Saunders, has won the 2007 National Junior C grade Championship. This is the second year running that the youth band has claimed this title. This year the band faced some strong competition from bands with much older players, but were able to take the championship with a clean sweep in all sections of the competition, winning the test piece, the own choice, the hymn and stage march.

Congratulation to John, the fantastic players in the youth band, and all the parents and supporters that cheered them on.

Results: Junior C

1. Warringah Youth Brass, NSW, 46+184+188+44=462
2. Whitehorse Juniors, Vic, 43+182+182+42=449
3. Bendigo Youth Brass, Vic, 40+180+180+40=440

19 Feb 2007

2007 AGM for WCB

The 2007 Annual General Meeting of Warringah Concert Brass Inc. took place on Monday 19th February.

During the meeting new officers were elected.

The committee for 2007 is:

President Robert O’Brien
Vice President Rebecca Sutherland
Secretary Stacey Gamlin
Assistant Secretary Kimberly Lovell
Treasurer Darrall Cutting
Public Officer Anne Lovell

Music Director John Saunders
Assistant Music Director Darren Cole
Assistant Music Dir. (Youth) Kimberly Lovell


General Committee members:
Stephen Kiraly
Cathy Hurditch
Kevin Dallas
Glenda Lloyd