20 November 2011

The Dandenong Band took to the streets of Mount Gambier early on Saturday morning (19th November) for the adjudicated Street March performing Colonel Bogey to an enthusiastic crowd of onlookers. If that didnt wake the local residents then the massed bands march to follow (playing McAnnallys Waltzing Matilda) surely would have! 

After a quick costume change into the bands new Christmas uniform of tinsel Christmas trees (designed and crafted by Nicole Mathers and her band of merry elves) we eagerly partook in the WIN TV Christmas Parade to a receptive and excited street audience.

Later in the afternon the band got down to business at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre as they took to the stage in the main contest - the first time the band had competed at Mt.Gambier in over 30 years! 

After a rocky start to the march Mercury, the band quickly settled down and eased into an emotional performance of their chosen hymn, Amazing Grace. The lively latin groove of Amazonia from Peter Grahams Windows of the World had the audience dancing in their seats and then on the edge of their seats during the beautiful fifth movement, Celtic Dream (featuring Jeff Steel, David Martin and Rachelle Thom). The sixth movement had it all with swing jungle drums, a funk trumpet solo by Tim Hellyer, an open drum cadenza by Steph Gilfedder and back into the Latin groove to finish it off. 

For their entertainment item the band featured what is typically the most comical section of a band  the percussionists  in an hilariously entertaining rendition of Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines which included singing, dancing, paper planes, costumes, more percussion than you could poke a stick at (pun intended) and of course the kitchen plates -vs- rubbish bin as performed so delicately by Steph Gilfedder.

The adjudication by Mr. Bruce Armstrong gave the band a total of 289 out of 300 to place the City of Greater Dandenong Band in first place of the B Grade Section. Celebrations ensued well into the night (and the next day for some) leaving us with fond memories of a great weekend which we are more than keen to do again!

The band would like to thank John Conway, Darren Cole, Broden Ford, Chris Smith and Kathryn Smyth for all their work and time helping the band at this competition and especially Jeff Steel who stepped in at the last minute. A special thanks to Nicole Mathers for organising the Christmas parade costumes and to all the groupies who came along to support the band. Also a big thank you to Michael Mathers, Catherine Fisher, and to the entire band for everyones hard work in making it such an enjoyable weekend. Overall, a fantastic trip with a solid and entertaining performance, a great result and some quality time to bond as a band.

More results can be found at: www.mountgambierbrassfestival.org

and footage of the bands performances at www.youtube.com