A reflection by Craig Wood, Mount Gambier City Band: While the Mount Gambier City Band was disappointed with its results in the C Grade Victorian Band Championships in Ballarat yesterday, the band's players and Musical Director Jarrod Harrison were not disappointed with their performance.
In a tough competition held at the historic Her Majesty's Theatre, the band scored lower than expected in the performance of four pieces of music, including the test Piece: "Sinfonietta" by Gordon Langford. Eventual winners. the City of Traralgon band won the points tally and took the mantle of Victorian Champions from Darebin City Northern Brass who finished unplaced.
The local band takes solace from the overwhelming number of supporters who contacted the band before and after the contest. For the first time, the brass championship performances were streamed on live video through the internet and the City bands' on stage showing was watched by many Mount Gambier residents and followers.
Musical Director Jarrod Harrison, showing why he is considered in band circles as a most promising up and coming leader, took responsibility for the band's performance. He stated that the band had played as he had asked them, and had not left any thing out of the stage performance.
In music competition it is always difficult to know the specific expectations of an adjudicator about a piece of music on a particular day. Getting each player to share the same expectations is also problematic. And unfortunately for the City band, it was a simple case of the interpretation and technique not being what the adjudicator, Sean Preist from Tasmania, was looking for on the day.
Mr Harrison has now taken his charges to four band contests in two and a half years, and regardless of Sunday's results, the band has experienced significant growth and improvement over that time.
With business as usual, the City band will continue rehearsing and combining contests with community service. Individual players will represent the city in the South Australian Solo Championships in September before the local Senior's Concert at the Band Hall in October. The band also looks forward to the Christmas Parade, the Lions' Club Blue Lake contest and the Limestone Coast Tattoo, all in November.
Craig Wood,
Secretary: Mount Gambier City Band
In a tough competition held at the historic Her Majesty's Theatre, the band scored lower than expected in the performance of four pieces of music, including the test Piece: "Sinfonietta" by Gordon Langford. Eventual winners. the City of Traralgon band won the points tally and took the mantle of Victorian Champions from Darebin City Northern Brass who finished unplaced.
The local band takes solace from the overwhelming number of supporters who contacted the band before and after the contest. For the first time, the brass championship performances were streamed on live video through the internet and the City bands' on stage showing was watched by many Mount Gambier residents and followers.
Musical Director Jarrod Harrison, showing why he is considered in band circles as a most promising up and coming leader, took responsibility for the band's performance. He stated that the band had played as he had asked them, and had not left any thing out of the stage performance.
In music competition it is always difficult to know the specific expectations of an adjudicator about a piece of music on a particular day. Getting each player to share the same expectations is also problematic. And unfortunately for the City band, it was a simple case of the interpretation and technique not being what the adjudicator, Sean Preist from Tasmania, was looking for on the day.
Mr Harrison has now taken his charges to four band contests in two and a half years, and regardless of Sunday's results, the band has experienced significant growth and improvement over that time.
With business as usual, the City band will continue rehearsing and combining contests with community service. Individual players will represent the city in the South Australian Solo Championships in September before the local Senior's Concert at the Band Hall in October. The band also looks forward to the Christmas Parade, the Lions' Club Blue Lake contest and the Limestone Coast Tattoo, all in November.
Craig Wood,
Secretary: Mount Gambier City Band
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