Ballarat, August 2023, super-sub-tropical as ever. Every Victorian grade across two days, and a piece of contest history in the A Grade: Darebin City Brass, Preston delivered the world premiere of Fendall Hill’s Mind Dances on their way to a fourth consecutive state title under Andrew Snell, sweeping all four disciplines. Brassbanned streamed the lot, and 4BR once again gave our broadcast a mention by name. We remain far too humble to dwell on it.
This is the complete record: every grade, the full points, with our broadcast replays so you can watch any performance again. Results sourced from the official championships and the report at 4BarsRest.
Watch the full broadcast
Both days below, settle in.
Saturday
Sunday
A Grade
Adjudicator: Maureen Cameron Set Work: Mind Dances (Fendall Hill, world premiere)
Hill’s autobiographical work, exploring seven years of mental health challenges, made for a memorable centrepiece, and adjudicator Maureen Cameron congratulated the composer on a “classy piece of music”. Darebin backed it with Abide with Me, Waespi’s Fanfare and Funk and the Ord Hume march The Elephant.
| Pos | Band | Conductor | Hymn | Test | Own Choice | March | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darebin City Brass, Preston | Andrew Snell | 47 | 93 | 44 | 46 | 230 |
| 2 | Footscray Yarraville City | Louisa Lawless | 45 | 91 | 42 | 44 | 222 |
| 3 | Glenferrie Brass | Phillipa Edwards | 46 | 92 | 41 | 42 | 221 |
B Grade
Adjudicator: Maureen Cameron Set Work: Lions of Legends (Thierry Deleruyelle)
Boroondara Brass retained their title under Daniel van Bergen, their own choice of Hook sealing a three-point win over Geelong West.
| Pos | Band | Conductor | Hymn | Test | Own Choice | March | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boroondara Brass | Daniel van Bergen | 46 | 94 | 48 | 43 | 231 |
| 2 | Geelong West Brass | Jeff Steele | 45 | 92 | 46 | 45 | 228 |
| 3 | Box Hill City | Simon Brown | 43 | 91 | 45 | 43 | 222 |
| 4 | City of Greater Dandenong | Jamie Lawson | 45 | 88 | 44 | 42 | 219 |
| 5 | Darebin City Brass, Northern Brass | Martyn Scrimshaw | 41 | 87 | 44 | 44 | 216 |
C Grade
Adjudicator: Maureen Cameron Set Work: Lucid Perspectives (Pankhurst/Baker/McGhee)
The closest field of the weekend. Wonthaggi Citizens took the honours from Creswick and defending champion Moonee Valley, with just four points covering the podium.
| Pos | Band | Conductor | Hymn | Test | Own Choice | March | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wonthaggi Citizens Band | Craig Marinus | 46 | 92 | 48 | 43 | 229 |
| 2 | Creswick Brass Band | Katrina Bird | 43 | 91 | 47 | 45 | 226 |
| 3 | Moonee Valley Brass | Dean Hughes | 45 | 93 | 43 | 44 | 225 |
| 4 | Whitehorse Brass | Broden Ford | 43 | 89 | 44 | 43 | 219 |
| 5 | Western Brass | Jared McCunnie | 40 | 89 | 47 | 42 | 218 |
| 6 | Sunshine Community Brass | Wayne Bowden | 42 | 88 | 44 | 42 | 216 |
| 7 | Wodonga Brass | Fenella O’Sullivan | 42 | 87 | 45 | 41 | 215 |
D Grade
Adjudicator: Maureen Cameron Set Work: MB 100 (Barrie Gott)
Ararat City claimed their first title since 2018 under Bruno Andrade, with Kevin Houben’s Broken Sword the highlight of a commanding winning set.
| Pos | Band | Conductor | Hymn | Test | Own Choice | March | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ararat City Band | Bruno Andrade | 46 | 94 | 46 | 47 | 233 |
| 2 | Boroondara Harmony Brass | Robyn Lowenstein Waugh | 46 | 92 | 43 | 46 | 227 |
| 3 | Hyde Street Youth Band | Phillipa Edwards | 45 | 90 | 44 | 46 | 225 |
| 4 | Ballarat City Municipal Youth | Troy Cheeseman | 43 | 88 | 42 | 43 | 216 |
| 5 | Mornington Youth & Citizens Band | John Beckley | 44 | 87 | 39 | 44 | 214 |
Junior Grades
Junior B Grade: Hyde Street Youth Band (Andrew Wilson) took the title for the third year in a row, 185 points.
Junior C Grade: Wonthaggi Youth Brass (Nick Beale) won with 185 points from Richmond Youth Brass (178).
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 2023 Victorian State Band Championships? Darebin City Brass, Preston won the A Grade under Andrew Snell, their fourth consecutive Victorian title, topping all four disciplines including the world premiere of Fendall Hill’s Mind Dances.
Where were the 2023 Victorian States held? In Ballarat, over the weekend of 19 and 20 August 2023.
Who won the other grades? Boroondara Brass (B Grade), Wonthaggi Citizens Band (C Grade), Ararat City Band (D Grade, their first since 2018), Hyde Street Youth Band (Junior B) and Wonthaggi Youth Brass (Junior C).
Where can I watch the 2023 Victorian States? Brassbanned’s full replays of both days are embedded above, free to watch any time.
New to contesting? Read how brass band contests work, meet the instruments, and start at the very beginning with what is a brass band?
More championship replays
- 2025 Victorian State Band Championships
- 2024 Australian National Band Championships
- 2023 New Zealand Brass Band Championships
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