Brass band ecstatic over world title

Press, 30 July 1985, Page 2

Brass band ecstatic over world title

PA Dunedin New Zealand scored the highest musical points overall and regained the World Champion Brass Band title at the World Music Concourse yesterday. The National Band of New Zealand finished 4.5 points clear in the brass band section. The 350.5 marks were the highest musical points awarded in the competition held in the Netherlands, and it was the first time a brass band has won the distinction. The band came second in the set marching section and third in the display marching. New Zealand first won the champion title in 1962 and again in 1970. Four years later it came second. The past vice-president of the Brass Band Association, Mr Tony Lewis, said the mood of the band after the win was ecstatic. He said they were overjoyed to win but to become the champion of champions was a special reward. The band was also well placed in the marching

competition, taking third place for display marching and second for the straight marching. Mr Lewis said the marching results were remarkable as New Zealand’s team of 36 had to compete with American teams of 150 or more “who could really put on a display.” At present, the band is on a sell-out tour of Europe and will return to New Zealand on August 21. After giving a series of New Zealand concerts the band will split up but another National Band will reform in five years to contest the title.