Hundreds of musicians from across Victoria took to the stage in Ballarat at the weekend to compete in the Victorian Band Championships, with Ararat City Band having a weekend to remember.
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Competing in C Grade for the first time “in decades”, Ararat beat seven other sides to win the C Grade competition.
Ararat moved up a division this year after winning the D Grade state title in 2017.
“We were fortunate enough to win on our return to C Grade which came as a bit of a surprise,” Ararat City Band president David Cosgriff said.
“Stepping up a grade is always difficult so we were just hoping to be competitive. To actually win was amazing.”
The 2018 contest attracted the best bands from both regional and metropolitan areas of the state.
23 concert and brass bands competed for a title.
“All bands performed either three or four pieces of work ranging from a march and a hymn to a concert item or major work,” Victorian Band Leagues president Kevin Cameron said.
“The competition in Ballarat was tough given we assembled the best from right around the state.”
Having won a D Grade national championship recently, Ararat will now look ahead to next year’s nationals in Queensland in the search of another.
“Success breeds success so hopefully we can keep improving and trying new things,” Mr Cosgriff said.
“It is a great opportunity for players to develop themselves personally and practice difficult pieces of music.”
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