9 April 2015
MEDIA RELEASE
Local band’s success at National Band Championships
Unley Concert Band (UCB) has returned from the 2015 National Band Championships, held in Sydney over Easter, with champions in their ranks.
The local community band competed in the highly competitive A Grade competition where it placed third overall and received the top mark for its hymn performance. UCB players also competed in the solo and small ensemble contests with success:
- Dominic Meehan – Woodwind Champion of Champions, first place Open Alto Saxophone
- Alison Harris – first place Open Horn
- Sarah Byron – third place Open Alto Saxophone
- Laura Possingham – third place Open Flute
UCB President Michaela Scherer said it was a fantastic result for the band.
“These are fantastic results for our band and the Unley community,” said UCB President Michaela Scherer. “We’re a true community band: we don’t audition and we’re run by volunteers from within the group. For us to return home with champions amongst our members and as a competitive A Grade band is absolutely brilliant and a testament to the hard work of our members and support from our local community.”
Musical Director Dr Stephen Boyle said the band’s achievements are among its best results.
“The competition was strong and we were up against some excellent bands,” he said. “For us to come home with a first place in the hymn and having prevented the winning band from taking a clean sweep of all categories is absolutely superb. This is the first time UCB has placed first in one of the A Grade categories. We’re now looking to build on this year’s success and be an even stronger competitor at next year’s championships in Gawler.”
UCB’s next performance is a jazz cabaret at the Fullarton Park Community Centre on Saturday 23 May. For more details about the cabaret and the band, visit www.ucb.org.au.
