The 'Master' Riki McDonnell becomes the Champion of Champions at the New Zealand Championship in New Plymouth.
The cream of all New Zealand's brass band musicians took to the stage in New Plymouth yesterday evening to battle for the ‘Champion of Champions’ solo title.
Top class performers
With 13 top class performers to adjudicate on, judges Steven Bulla, Brent Large and Kevin Dell had one heck of a task, with the overall standard as high as anyone could remember for the event.
In the end, the title went to one of the true greats of antipodean banding, as euphonium star Riki McDonnell of Wellington Brass secured yet another prestigious solo award in his amazing career, thanks to an outstanding performance of ‘Glorious Liberation’.
Masters title
Earlier in the day Riki had claimed the keenly contested Masters title, beating the legendary cornet player Trevor Bremner in second place with Peter Adams in third.
Former Black Dyke baritone player Steven Booth claimed a well deserved second place with the virtuoso BBb tuba player Philip Johnston in third.
Awards
Meanwhile, Fraser Robertson, an EEb tuba player with Dalewool Auckland Brass was presented with the Pat Cole Medal as the youngest winner of an Open Solo competition class at the championships, by winning the Open EEb tuba class.
Tenor horn player Claire Yorkstone of Ascot Park Hotel Brass of Invercargill was presented with the Dunedin Ladies Brass Band Trophy as the female soloist gaining highest points in the open solo classes by winning the Junior Horn title.
Result:
Champion of Champions:
1. Riki McDonnell (Wellington Brass)
2. Steven Booth (Trusts Waitakere Auckland Brass)
3. Philip Johnston (Woolston Brass)
Pat Cole Medal: Fraser Robertson (Dalewool Auckland)
Dunedin Ladies Brass Band Trophy: Claire Yorkstone
Masters:
1. Riki McDonnell (Wellington Brass)
2. Trevor Bremner (The Devon Hotel New Plymouth Brass)
3. Peter Adams (Papakura City Brass)