Clockblox

Levin & Districts Brass Inc

National Contest 2003

  8 July.............Majority of band and supporters travel to Rotorua by bus, some by car
  9 July.............Ensembles compete
10 July............."Day off"  - Practices
11 July.............Street March
12 July.............D Grade competition
13 July.............Return to Levin

Photos 

Click on thumbnail to see enlargement.

Results

The band had a very successful Contest, with results that any band in any grade would find difficult to emulate.

On Wednesday 9 July, 4 ensembles competed in Section Two (for C & D Grade bands) of the Open Ensemble A (for 3 - 5 players), and took out two first equal placings along with a C Grade group, the next placing was Levin, and the remaining Levin ensemble followed, also equal with a C grade ensemble - i.e. 2 x 1st equal, 4th, 5th equal.  When considering these results it should be noted that there were A and B grade ensembles, judged at the same time, with lower marks than Levin.  It could also be noted that Dalewool Junior Band, who were to win the D Grade Aggregate later in the week, were place 3rd in the Open Ensemble B (for 6+ players).

Friday saw the Street March for all grades take place in the car park of Rotorua Central, a shopping complex.  This was a first in terms of venue format, largely dictated by the fact that most of the city centre streets have been made unsuitable for marching by the use of roundabouts and other traffic flow features.   News of the venue was met with considerable mutterings of disbelief - however it did seem to work adequately, in spite of a very short distance between the left and right turns.

The band won the D Grade Street March ("St Kilda"), and were awarded the newly allocated trophy for this event.  It could be said that we had an easy ride, being the only D Grade band marching, but the result speaks for itself when points awarded were higher than for three C Grade bands, and two B Grade bands!!

The D Grade stage competition  took place on Saturday 12 July.  As in the past, Levin took out the Sacred Item with "Aurelia" - a section of National Contest in which we haven't been beaten in recent years.  Placing second in the Test/Own Choice ("Three Miniatures"), and third in the Stage March ("Under the Double Eagle"), the aggregate took the band to Second in the D Grade, losing to Dalewool Juniors by 3 points.  Had Street March points counted towards the total, Levin would have been clear winners.

In summary:

	C & D Grade Ensembles 1st Equal: Levin & Districts Brass "Golliwog's Cakewalk" & "Puttin' on the Ritz"
	D Grade Street March 1st: Levin & Districts Brass
	D Grade Sacred Item 1st:  Levin & Districts Brass
	D Grade Own Choice 2nd:  Levin & Districts Brass
	D Grade Stage March 3rd:  Levin & Districts Brass
	D Grade Aggregate 2nd:  Levin & Districts Brass

Helpers & Supporters

Grateful thanks go to playing helpers Mike Sander & Mike Clark on cornet, Tracy Hammond on trombone, and Aaron Lloydd on percussion. 

The band is also grateful for the continued support of the "extended family", many of whom made the trip to Rotorua, and of the Levin community.

Comments

Smee:  Well, here we go with a few thoughts about contest 2003 starting pre-contest with last minute repair of instruments – I think that the repair craftsmen (bless them) are definitely fast approaching their “best-use-by” date and are now giving those of us that depend on them more nerves than we need !! I hope they have passed their skills on. 

So, off we went to Sulphur City – an amazing mixture of personalities; what a fabulous crew we turned out to be and what a great contest – I reckon the relaxed approach at Rotorua and the time we took to make our way there definitely contributed to our success. I have been eventing now at National contests for about 36 years and this has got to be the best. Even Roz, who has never been associated with brassies before, loved every minute, from Rob’s home-brew night, luging with the courier man (Brian we saw the “boy” really came bubbling to the surface!!), comments from the sheriff, the magnificent food, our great “roomies” (Manaaki & Martyn) and that fantastically spontaneous laughing policeman – that took sheer courage Norm.

Of course, there were other highlights – an opportunity to walk (how often do we rely on 4 wheels??), a great coach driver, the contrasting grumpy barman at the bowling club, the number of bodies that can be squeezed into a spa, how we managed to confuse a computer system at “Sizzlers” and Levin & Districts “togetherness”.

Ohhhhh, and naturally, the proud way we claimed the “D” grade marching trophy, beating several bands above our grade – well done ladies and gents, it put the polish on a truly memorable contest for me.

Finally, the thing that never ceases to amaze >> the quiet journey home !!

Chris (Band President):  Described the Contest Week as "outstanding".   Results were fantastic, especially the Street March, 1st, finishing ahead of 2 B Grade & 3 C Grade bands, and successfully defending and winning the Sacred Item.  There was a tremendous atmosphere while in Rotorua.  The band performed up to expectations and came off stage knowing they had given their best.  Credit must go to Conductor Robert Lynch who trained the band to peak at the right time, as did Drum Major Peter Smaling.  Levin Brass is a family orientated community band which is proud of its local roots while achieving high National standards.

Martyn:  It was my first time, I thought it was fun and exciting , every one was really cool, the weather was all right.  It should have been hotter. The sobriety, well uuuummmmmm.

Trish:  I had fun - great atmosphere, highly entertaining company.  Well done everyone, and thanks!!  Might I add that the "Laughing Policeman" did not display his true colours - he sings a very acceptable bass line!! 
 
Tracy:  Well, I had a great time.  I was impressed with the relaxed atmosphere and the 'family'-like friendship