What is Contesting?

Brass banding is a competitive activity where we perform set pieces and own-choice major works in front of adjudicator/s and audiences. The contests are structured events where bands are judged on their technical proficiency, musicality, and overall performance quality. The tradition of brass band contesting dates back to the 19th century and is deeply rooted in the history and culture of brass band music.

Wellington Brass Band believes contesting is important as it encourages excellence pushing bands to achieve high levels of musical performance. They foster community and camaraderie, bringing together musicians from various backgrounds, fostering a sense of community, and togetherness. Showcases talent; our successes speak for themselves, contests elevate a band's profile. WBB encourages the promotion of brass band music, by performing both traditional and contemporary pieces, bands contribute to the evolution and appreciation of this unique genre.

Wellington Brass Contest Results

As Wellington Brass Band

  • 10 April 2026 Wellington, Michael Fowler Centre

    Adjudicators: Russell Gray

    Test Piece: Taniwha - Scott Kennedy-French

    Own Choice: A Gabrieli Fantasy - Bert Appermont

    Conductor: David Bremner- Own Choice, Reuben Brown - Test

  • 5 July 2025 Christchurch Town Hall

    Adjudicators: Frédéric Théodoloz

    Test Piece: A Tale As Yet Untold - Philip Sparke

    Own Choice: Apokolypsis - Jack Bewley

    Conductor: David Bremner

  • 13 July 2024 Manukau, Due Drop Arena

    Adjudicators: Brett Baker

    Test Piece: Whitsun Wake's

    Own Choice: Sand and Stars

    Conductor: David Bremner

  • 8 July 2023 Dunedin, Dunedin Town Hall

    Adjudicators: Tom Davoren

    Test Piece: Concerto No.1 for Brass Band, Derek Bourgeois

    Own Choice: Audivi Media Nocte, Oliver Waespi

    Conductor: David Bremner

  • 16 July 2022
    Wellington, Michael Fowler Centre

    Adjudicators: Kenneth Young

    Test Piece: Heroes, Bruce Broughton

    Own Choice: Fraternity

    Conductor: David Bremner

  • 17 July 2021
    Christchurch, Christchurch Town Hall

    Adjudicators: David Gallaher

    Test Piece: Of Men and Mountains, Edward Gregson

    Own Choice: Revelation, Wilby

    Conductor: David Bremner

  • 13 July 20219
    Hamilton, Claudeland’s Event Centre

    Adjudicators: Luc Vertommen

    Test Piece: Variations on a Ninth, Gilbert Vinter

    Own Choice: Titan’s Progress

    Conductor: David Bremner

  • 14 July 2018
    Blenheim, Marlborough Civic Theatre

    Adjudicators: Russell Gray

    Test Piece: The 39th Parallel, Peter Graham

    Own Choice: Perihelion Closer to the Sun, Philip Sparke

    Conductor: Nigel Seaman

  • 1 April 2018
    Melbourne

    Adjudicators: David Bremner, Maureen Cameron, Alan Lourens

    Test Piece: Time Machine, Thomas Doss

    Own Choice: Fraternity

    Conductor: Nigel Seaman

  • 21 April 2017
    Wellington, Michael Fowler Centre

    Adjudicators: Nigel Seaman

    Test Piece: Journey of the Lone, Simon Dobson

    Own Choice: Metropolis 1927, Peter Graham

    Conductor: David Bremner

  • Test Piece: The Triumph of Time, Peter Graham

    Adjudicators: Allan Withington, Michael Ball, Rob Wiffin

    Venue: Symphony Hall, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK

    Conductor: David Bremner

  • 16 July 2016
    Napier, Municipal Theatre

    Adjudicators: Robert Childs

    Test Piece: Of Distant Memories, Edward Gregson

    Own Choice: The Triumph of Time, Peter Graham

    Conductor: David Bremner

  • 11 July 2015
    Rotorua
    Adjudicators: David Gallaher

    Test Piece: Vita Aeterna Variations (Variations & Fugue on an Original Theme), Alexander Comitas

    Own Choice: Extreme Make-Over

  • 5 April 2015
    Sydney, Seymour Centre

    Adjudicators: Allan Withington

    Test Piece: Gallipoli, Barry McKimm

    Own Choice: Revelation

    Conductor: David Bremner

  • 12 July 2015
    Invercargill, Civic Theatre

    Adjudicators: Stephen Cobb

    Test Piece: On Alderley Edge, Peter Graham

    Own Choice: Music of the Spheres, Philip Sparke

    Conductor: David Bremner

  • 20 July 2013
    New Plymouth, TSB Showplace

    Adjudicators: Stephen Bulla

    Test Piece: The Promised Land, Kenneth Downie

    Own Choice: Revelation, Wilby

    Conductor: David Bremner

  • 7 July 2012
    Timaru, Theatre Royal

    Adjudicators: Robert Childs

    Test Piece: Breath of Souls, Paul Lovatt-Cooper

    Own Choice: Titan’s Progress

    Conductor: David Bremner

  • 12 July 2008
    Christchurch, Christchurch Town Hall

    Adjudicators: Simone Rebello

    Test Piece: Renaissance, Peter Graham

    Own Choice: Diversions on a Bass Theme

    Conductor: David Bremner

  • 23 March 2008
    Brisbane, Brisbane Town Hall

    Adjudicators: Peter Adams

    Test Piece: Main Street, Eric Ball

    Own Choice: Diversions on a Bass Theme

    Conductor: David Bremner

  • 7 July 2007
    Auckland, Bruce Mason Centre

    Adjudicators: Nigel Boddice

    Test Piece: Salamander, John McCabe

    Own Choice: Tallis Variations,

    Conductor: David Chaulk

  • 27 March 2005
    Wellington, Town Hall

    Adjudicators: Alan Morrison

    Test Piece: The King of Elfland's Daughter, Rodney Newton

    Conductor: David Chaulk

As Onslow Brass Band

  • Christchurch

    Adjudicator : Wing Commander Eric Banks [ Britain ] O.B.E.

    Test Piece: The Essence of Time, Peter Graham

    Conductor: Peter Zwartz

  • Sydney

    Adjudicators: Peter Parkes

    Test Piece: Variations for Brass Band, Vaughan Williams

    Own choice: Diadem of Gold

    Conductor: Donald Bly

  • Wellington

    Adjudicators: Elgar Clayton, F.J.Rawbone (Hymn)

    Test Piece: Oliver Cromwell, Henry Geehl

    Own choice – Four Dances from “Checkmate” Arthur Bliss arr. E.Ball

    *Evening Post Onslow Brass

    Conductor: Norman Goffin QSO

  • Wellington

    Adjudicators: Eric Ball, A.F.Brieseman (Hymn)

    Test Piece: Sovereign Heritage, Jack Beaver arr. Frank Wright

    Own choice: Tournament for Brass, Eric Ball

    Conductor: Norman Goffin

  • Dunedin

    Adjudicators: Norman Thorn Jnr and R.Francis

    Test Piece: James Cook, Circumnavigator, Gilbert Vinter

    Own Choice: Rhapsody For Brass, J.D.Goffin

    Conductor: Norman Goffin

  • Christchurch

    Adjudicators: Ken Smith Jnr

    Test Piece: Jodrell Bank, Peter Yorke

    Own Choice: Le Carnival Romain, Berlioz arr. Wright

    Conductor: Norman Goffin

  • Rotorua

    Adjudicators: W. H. Walden-Mills

    Test Piece: John O'Gaunt, Gilbert Vinter

    Own choice: Tournament for Brass, Eric Ball

    Conductor: Norman Goffin

  • Auckland

    Adjudicators: Lloyd Thorne

    Test Piece: Lorenzo, Thomas Keighley

    Own Choice: Eroica Variations, Beethoven arr. Rimmer

    Conductor: Norman Goffin

  • Christchurch

    Adjudicators: Norm Hestridge

    Test Piece: Scheherazade, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov arr. Drake Rimmer

    Own Choice: Main Street, Eric Ball

    Conductor: Norman Goffin

  • Newtown Park, Wellington

    Adjudicators: James Kelly (Australia)

As Wellington Tramways

  • Wellington

    Adjudicators: Les Francis

    Test Piece: Springtime, Haydn Morris

    Conductor: Norman Goffin

  • Napier

    Adjudicators: Albert Baile

    Test piece: Orion, Granville Bantock

    Conductor: Norman Goffin

  • Invercargill

    Adjudicators: Denis Wright

    Test Piece: Adanta, Hans Uljee

    Own Choice: Call of the Sea, Eric Ball

    Conductor: Norman Goffin

  • Whanganui

    Adjudicators: Harry Mortimer

    Test Piece: Holiday Suite, Eric Ball

    Own Choice: Cavelleria and Rusticana

    Conductor: Norman Goffin

  • Palmerston North

    Adjudicators: Ernest Kerry

    Test Piece: Il Crociato in Egitto arr. Ord Hume

    Own Choice: Giacomo Meyerbeer arr. James Ord Hume

    Conductor: E. Franklin

  • Nelson, New Zealand

    Adjudicators: Ernest Kerry

    Test Piece: Il Pirata arr. C. Godfrey

    Own Choice: Vincenzo Bellini arr. Charles Godfrey Jnr

  • Dunedin
    Adjudicators: Christopher Smith

    Test Piece: The Pathetique Sonata (op 13) & Own Choice

    Conductor: E. Franklin

  • Palmerston North
    Adjudicator- William Short, Britain .

    Performing: The Lady of Killarney
    March: Our Defenders

    Conductor: Alf Clareburt