The next concert in Willoughby's successful concert series is on the way!

  The theme of the concert will be 'Movie Brass' - a feast of all your favourite movie themes, including old favourites as well as exciting new classics.

The 2008 NSW State Band Championships were held over the weekend of 6-7 September. Both junior and senior bands competed in their respective Junior A and Open A grades with solid results.

 The junior band ran second to Gunnedah Shire Juniors, who have always performed very solidly in Junior A Grade and are truly a force to be reckoned with. While Gunnedah out-classed our juniors in all three sections, our band certainly performed strongly and show they deserve their Junior A grading.

 In the Open A Grade division, the competition was certainly fierce, with many pre-contest predictions of an extremely tight contest at all parts of the grade. With the final results, one point separated the top two bands, with Kew Band Melbourne edging ahead of Waratah Brass - Newcastle. Willoughby ultimately placed 4th in what ended up being a fairly close contest between the remaining bands. Of particular note was our performance of Kenneth Downie's "Visions of Gerontius", a new work with some extraordinary technical demands that the band met head on.

 All in all, a solid result for both bands. Next stop - Nationals 2009 in Sydney.

Cliff was tuba player with the Sydney Symphony for years, was President of the Band Association of NSW and the founder and conductor of Waverly Bondi Beach Band.

For more information see 4barsrest downunder - The Death of Cliff Goodchild OAM .

Below is a letter from Sean O'Brien: 

Dear All,

I was informed this morning of the passing of Mr Cliff Goodchild, OAM.

I know many of you will have met Cliff, either as a musician or through the NSW School Band Festival. Cliff Goodchild has become synonymous with the instrument he played in the Sydney Symphony for 36 years, and his ongoing involvement with community banding. He will certainly be missed by the broader music community of Sydney.

If you would like to know details of Cliff's funeral, please let me know and I will pass on what information I have.

Regards,

Sean O'Brien
President

Brian Buggy OAM has agreed to stand in for Andrew Snell as interim conductor for 3 weeks while Andrew is away at a family reunion.

Brian currently conducts the Sydney Youth Orchestra's Philharmonia. 

Brian was Director of Music at Knox Grammar School in Sydney and for many years conducted all the family concerts around Australia for the ABC. Prior to this he was Musical Director for JC Williamson, conducting many of the premier performances of the leading musicals in Australia.

Brian is a man of many talents and is held in high regard by the Australian musical community. One of Brian's claims to fame is that he was Hugh Lunn's bandmaster and was featured in 'Over The Top With Jim'.

Following the amicable resignation of musical director Steven Hillinger, the Willoughby Youth Concert Band has been disbanded. Steven Hillinger said that due to other committments he was unable to continue as conductor.

The band, which started rehearsals in November 2007, was made up of 12-25 year olds and played advanced symphonic wind ensemble style pieces.

The Willoughby Band committee is optimistic about re-starting the band in the future. 

It is with heavy hearts that we inform you of the deaths of the children and mother-in-law of Darrell Hodges, secretary and tuba player with Waratah Brass. 

The children and their grandmother were allegedly killed by their grandfather, and were discovered by their mother on Monday afternoon. 

Willoughby Band extends their deepest, most sincere sympathies to Darrell Hodges and his family.

More information:

Thoughts and Prayers - 4barsrest Downunder 

Dad speaks of Cowra family slaughter - News.com.au 

Triple axe murder 'horror movie' for dad   - SMH.com.au 

 A cuppa, then she found them dead - SMH.com.au

As well as impressing the crowds at our Swinging Brass concert at the weekend, some of our band members impressed the judges at the annual NSW State Solos - results below.

NSW State Solo Results 2008 - Willoughby

JUNIOR EVENTS
 
Soprano:
1. Benjamin Blunt, Willoughby City Band
 
Flugel:
1. Justin Williams, Willoughby City Band

Tenor Horn:
4. Kelly McGuinness, Willoughby City Band
 
OPEN EVENTS
 
Soprano:
2. Benjamin Blunt, Willoughby City Band
 
Bb Cornet:
2. Brian McGuinness, Willoughby City Band
3. Gemma Hogg, Willoughby City Band

Flugel:
4. Mark Coleman, Willoughby City Band
 
Euphonium:
1. Jeff Ma, Willoughby City Band
 
Tenor Trombone:
1. Andrew Sambell, Willoughby City Band
 
Eb Bass/Tuba:
3. Joshua Jaworski, Willoughby City Band

 Congratulations to all involved! 

Willoughby Band's next concert in the 2008 concert series is here!

 Click here for full event details.