9 April 2012

A fantastic weekend of performances by the City of Greater Dandenong Band saw the band place equal fourth in the 2012 Yamaha National Band Championships Open B Grade Section. 

The band got off to a great start on the Friday evening with a solid and exciting performance of their chosen hymn – ‘All Hail The Power (of Jesus' Name)’, and the test piece – ‘Cross Patonce’. Early Saturday morning the sound of bass drums could be heard throughout St Kilda as all the bands took to the streets in the Marching Championships. Dandenong presented a very tidy drill inspection followed by a solid performance of ‘Victoria’ on the street march (see video below). With entertainment points up for grabs at the change of direction, the band undertook a very ‘unorthodox’ turn, reversing its way out of the corner like a truck ... complete with reversing "beeps"! Needless to say this brought about much laughter and cheers from the surrounding crowd! After a long day the band was on stage again Saturday evening to perform their own choice – ‘Trittico’ and stage march – ‘Mercury’. Challenged with tiredness and fatigue (the band didn't hit the stage until well after 10pm) the band fought through and once again presented a very exciting and energetic performance.

The band placed second in the Street March with the highest score of all the B Grade bands for the Inspection. 

Musical Director and Drum Major - Michael Mathers, was awarded Champion Drum Major for B grade. 

The band placed fourth in the Own Choice for their performance of Trittico and second in the Stage March for an overall score of 479 (out of 500) to put them in equal fourth place with another local band - Diamond Valley.  A count back to the Test score placed the band fifth.  With interstate bands claiming the top three spots, Dandenong band can now rightly claim a place as one of Victoria's top B Grade bands.

Overall a brilliant weekend was had by all and a huge thank you and congratulations to ALL of the players and supporters.  Everyone put in 110% leading up to and during the competition and made sacrifices to make the weekend as enjoyable as it was.

Musical Director Michael Mathers was very pleased with the result and is confident the band is moving in the right direction., "2010 saw the band placed 7th out of a field of 8 and last year we placed 8th out of 12. This year, to finish 4th or 5th out of 11 definitely shows we are getting better and that is being recognised beyond our own walls.  More importantly, we are having fun doing it and that makes my job a lot easier".

Special thanks to the Secretary, Catherine Fisher, for all her organisational work and to the Musical Director, Michael Mathers, for all of his hard work, time, and dedication.

Watch the band on the Street March here