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Anzac Day 2020
Despite the difficulties of our current Covid restrictions, both Junior and Senior Band members continued to support our returned service men and women on ANZAC Day as so many rose early to play in their own driveways. While this was immensely different from our usual City March, our members showed pride and musicality commemorating from their own homes. Many dressed in uniform and held ‘services’ for their neighbours. We will remember - LEST WE FORGET
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National Band Championship 2019
As always, the journey to the nationals begins with great anticipation on September 1 with the announcement of the test pieces – Oliver Waespi’s “Berglicht” for the Junior A Grade division, and Peter Graham’s “Metropolis 1927” for Open A Grade. Both pieces gave their challenges for our two bands, but our Own Choices brought their rewards. Martin Ellerby’s “Dona Nobis Pacem” proved an instant hit with the members of the Youth Wind Orchestra, taking to the many challenges of the work like a fish to water, and Michael Daugherty’s “Lost Vegas” proving to suit the North West team perfectly.
With these pieces in the folders along with our Hymns and Marches (YWO with “When the Stars Began to Fall” and “Dambusters”, and NWWE with “Greensleeves” and “The Liberty Bell”), and rehearsals completed by the Monday before Easter, we commenced our travel, arriving for Solos on Thursday where 25 members of our organisation competed. What a wonderful day for everyone at the magnificent Conservatorium.
Come Good Friday, our MD James Brice familiarised himself with the main auditorium of Brisbane City Hall before rehearsals which took place at the YWO Camp at Redland Bay for both ensembles, followed by a combined band dinner.
Some of our proudest moments as an organisation are when our 2 bands get together and display an amazing sense of comraderie and mentorship. Dinner together with over 100 young and not so young musicians, can only be of a huge benefit to every single member of our incredible organisation. The sea of blue and white support in the audiences when our senior band was on stage is something we will continually foster and be exceptionally proud of.
The last time the Nationals were held at Brisbane City Hall was in 2008, and we were all excited to play in the main auditorium with its vibrant and lively acoustic.
After supporting our junior members in the Brisbane City Hall, North West Wind Ensemble members enjoyed a relaxing day before returning to the City Hall in the late afternoon to prepare for our performance. Taking to the stage around 8pm, with the full support of all YWO members in the audience, North West also performed in the same order as YWO – Test first, then Hymn, Own Choice then March. “Metropolis 1927” provided a solid start to the performance, but it was “Lost Vegas” that had the band truly “fired up”. With a score of 197 points, “Lost Vegas” achieved the highest individual score for any single item of any band over the entire contest. Outstanding performances in both Hymn and March led to North West retaining the National Championship, the band’s 7th Nationals victory. Local powerhouse band Queensland Wind Orchestra gave some amazing performances to place second, with the Queensland Youth Orchstra Wind Symphony placing third.
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YWO Band Camp 2019
YWO are really excited to be heading off on our annual music camp this weekend. With 4 hours sectional tuition by some of the best tutors in Sydney, close to 12 hours of rehearsals and a ripper music trivia evening, we are looking forward to hours of musical fun and friendships that will last a lifetime.
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YWO Band Camp 2020
Fifty six members of our Youth Wind Orchestra spent an incredible weekend in February at the magnificent Crusaders at Galston Gorge. With 4 hours sectional tuition by some of the best tutors in Sydney, close to 12 hours of rehearsals and a ripper music trivia evening, we enjoyed hours of musical fun and friendships that will last a lifetime. Thanks James and YWO!
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