CNL Brass was one of four entries in Open B Grass Brass at the Band Association of New South Wales State Band Championships held at Penrith on Saturday 30 August.
The Band was promoted to Open B Grade at the end of 2011. It was unplaced in its two appearances in 2012 and 2013. There was a reward this year for the many hours of rehearsals, including sectional rehearsals and special rehearsals scheduled by musical director John Kellaway. CNL Brass gained a place-Third Place– behind the winner, visiting Queensland Band, Cairns Brass and the second placed Toronto Brass.
CNL Brass did suffer a setback, in that the band’s principal cornet, Bruce Fletcher, became ill in the week preceding the event and could not participate. Teena Wallace, solo cornet, “stepped up” to play the principal cornet’s parts and, with only one rehearsal, Meredith Wilson, a solo cornet player with Newcastle PCYC Brass Band, “stepped in” to play Teena’s parts.
The band is currently considering entering the National Band Championships, which will be held in Sydney over Easter, 2015.
Cardiff Brass 