Lead Story

Band ready to brass off

Moreland Community News Tuesday, Feburary 14 2006 by Charmalne Camilleri

Moreland City Band will battle it out at the national band championships in April.

Wally Pope conducts band members, from lef, Bridget Garlick-Slomon, Betty Stokes, Michael Stapletonm Keith Ford and Warren Jensen.

The 32-piece brass outfit will compete againstg the best of brass in Brisbane for the honour of being named the top band in the A grade section.

President Warren Jensen says the event is huge for the band. "In sporting sense, it's the grand final," he says. "This is the big thing. You only get one shot at it."

Jensen says failing to prepare is preparing to fail, so intense rehearsals are under way. "It's like sport, you need to be fit to play. A lot of the preparation is similar to that of a footy team. You've got to have the preparation, the skilled players and the team believing in what they can achieve."

The band's big guns include 28 brass and three permission players. They will perform three major works, two marches and a hymn at the 'battle'. Judges look for timing, tuning, technique and balance in dynamics.

"Thirty minds have got to become one mind in musical interpretation," he says. The band has a calendar of events coming up, including the Sydney Road Street Party in March and festivals across Melbourne.

Jensen says although it will be a joy to perform to an audience of more than a thousand brass fans at the championships, it's the judges his players will have their eyes on.