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News
TTB takes out 2007 SABA Championships
Tanunda Town Band has celebrated its sesquicentennial year in style by winning the 2007 South Australian Band Championships. This year’s competition was held in the Tanunda Show Hall, in conjunction with the band’s 150th birthday party. The weekend kicked off with a fair at the Tanunda Oval on the Friday night, the main competitions on Saturday morning and afternoon, followed by the Street March component Saturday afternoon. Saturday night saw a reenactment of the band’s first public performance in 1857 at the Tanunda Hotel together with a street party in Murray Street, Tanunda.
The competition attracted bands from around Australia, with 3 states represented in A-grade (Queensland, Victoria and South Australia) while B-grade also drew an interstate entry.
Photos will be posted soon!
The following rundown of scores is courtesy of the South Australian Band Association
Adjudicator A & B Grade: Selwyn Holmes
Adjudicator C, D & Junior Grade: Dr Kevin Cameron
Points: Hymn+Test+March=Total
Open A Grade
Test: Four Dances From Checkmate - Bliss/Ball
1. Tanunda Town Band (David Polain) 47+95+47=189
2. K&N Spring Gully Brass (Bruce Raymond) 46+90+46=182
3. Hawthorn (Peter Sykes) 45+89+45=179
4. Brisbane Brass (Greg Aitken) 43+88+44=175
Open B Grade
Test:Resurgam - Ball
1. Box Hill Band (David Farrell) 30+72+37=139
2. Salisbury City Band (Adrienne Meikle) 33+70+35=138
Open C Grade
Test: Tryptich - Philip Sparke
1. Mitcham City Brass (Peter Smith) 37+86+40=163
2. Enfield Brass (Geoff Magin) 39+87+36=162
3. Marion City Band (Veronica Boulton) 40+82+38=160
Marananga Brass (Thomas Ludi) - no official adjudication
Open D Grade
Test: Petit Suite de Ballet - Ball
1. K&N Youth (Bruce Raymond) 39+87+42=168
2. Campbelltown City Band (Alwin Kidney) 36+82+39=157
Junior Brass
Own Choice Test
1. K&N Youth (Bruce Raymond) 41+82+43=166
Warriparinga Brass (Veronica Boulton) - no official adjudication
Best Overall Band in Music: Tanunda Town Band
Best Overall Band in March and Drill: Brisbane Brass
Most Outstanding Band in Drill: Enfield Brass
Best Drum Major: Stephen Lawrence (Brisbane Brass)
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Percussionist off to sail the high seas.
Tanunda Town Band’s own Paul van der Koogh, percussionist with the band since 2001, has departed to Vancouver to play on board a cruise ship. Paul recently returned home for a brief vacation from touring the New England/Canada coast onboard the m/s Maasdam, a Holland America Line ship which carries 1200 passengers and 600 crew. His next assignment is the Maasdam’s sister ship, the m/s Statendam.
Paul’s duties onboard primarily are to play saxophones and clarinet in the house show band, which entails playing production shows, backing guest entertainers, cocktail  parties, poolside music, and some lounge sets. In addition to his musical work, he holds a safety mustering station to direct passengers in the unlikely event of an emergency onboard, and participates in regular fire drills, emergency drills, US Coast Guard inspections, and safety and environmental training.
His itinerary begins in Alaska, doing 7-day cruises from Vancouver to Seward, Alaska, and return. In September his ship will reposition across the Pacific by way of Los Angeles (Long Beach), Hawaii, American Samoa, and Fiji to Auckland. November/December will see him cruising 14-day itineraries from Auckland to Sydney and return.
Paul will return for 2 weeks in December while the Statendam undergoes regularly scheduled drydock in Brisbane. Look out for photos of Paul’s travels around the world.
He can be contacted by email at muso@paulvdk.com
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Tanunda Town Band release commemorative wine.
This wine has been bottled to commemorate the Band’s 150th anniversary and TTB gratefully acknowledges the assistance of:
 Bethany Wines, Cockatoo Ridge Wines, Grant Burge Wines, Henschke Cellars, Langmeil Winery, Rockford Wines, Stephen John Wines, Stanley Lambert Wines, Clear Image Labels (labels), Torbreck Vintners (wine barrels) and AP John & Sons (barrels).
Blended and bottled by Tanunda Town Band, 2 Mill Street, Tanunda SA 5352 under the supervision of Stephen John Wines
Tanunda Town Band make no bones about the fact that demand will outstrip supply. So if you wish to be part of Australian banding history, fire off your order today.
Link: 150th Commemorative Wine Order Form
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41st Melodienacht 2007
Run on the last Friday and Saturday of May every year, Tanunda Town Band’s now famous Melodienacht concerts are quite possibly the longest continuously run large scale musical event in the country. This year's performances were the band’s 41st Melodienacht Concerts, and also marked the launch of the new CD recorded by TTB, entitled Ein Prosit, which was recorded earlier this year.
As in previous years guests packed into Tanunda's famous Show Hall. The tin shed is celebrated in banding circles and is unique as a venue for Concerts. A shell-grit floor provides for an interesting acoustic environment. The shed was transformed with staging, lighting and decorations. The hall is filled filled with long slender tables and this year with individual chairs as opposed to the uncomfortable wooden planks of old. Guest's came well prepared with hampers of food and nibbles, not to mention plenty of liquid refreshments.
Compere again this year was well known South Australian radio personality Tony Pilkington. Pilko is a real crowd favorite with his rye sense of humor.
After band member introductions and the song Celebration with help from the TTB Hot Rhythm Combo, the BVBVs and Todd Martin, Tanunda Town Band commenced the evening’s program with Cartoon Overture.
Alicia Ludi-Schutz has been the band’s Principal Cornet for many years. This year she performed the well known cornet solo Napoli.
James Pratt Tenor with the State Opera, has been developing a fine relationship with the Tanunda Town Band. Pratt hails from South Australia's Yorke Peninsula in the mid north. He has studied singing with Robert Dawe for eleven years, but currently lives in Sydney where he has taken up a scholarship to study at the Sydney Conservatorium.
After his stand out performances from last year’s Melodienacht and Classics Concert it was no surprise the band invited him back again to perform at this year's Melodienacht. Pratt's rendition of Nessun Dorma was thrilling and there was nice backing from the band in the process.
The very famous Beatles number Penny Lane featured Justin Kennedy on Soprano Cornet, who shone as he emulated that very difficult Piccolo Trumpet segment in the piece. Following this was the James Bond Medley that was performed simultaneously to film segments on the big screens each side of the staging.
 The band paid tribute to Melodienacht sponsor Grant Burge Wines with Meshach, composed by Musical Director David Polain. is a tribute to the Tanunda Town Band's Melodienacht sponsor and was composed by
Peter Hooper, Dave Palmer, Warren Heading, Jonathan Hunt, Brian Gray and Bill Polain are the musicians behind Royal Garden Jazz Band. This group entertained the Melodienacht audience and combined with Tanunda for the piece High Society followed by Todd Martin as Elvis. He wowed the audience with a very impressive Viva Las Vegas and American Trilogy.
One of the wonderful things about Melodienacht, and probably as famous as the show itself, is the Gluhwein! Such a tradition and a feature of the half time intermission. We'd smelt this delicious brew cooking from the side-room all evening. Compere Tony Pilkington has plenty to say about the ingredients every year, but lets just say, the warm spicy wine is truly superb and no one minds that the recipe is a well guarded secret.
The show wouldn't be a Melodienacht if the odd German Oom-pah number wasn't included. After a short intermission the second half commenced with the regulatory Ein-Prosit and Bayerische Schuplattler. Following this came the BVBVs, the combined singers of Deanna Polain, Celeste Hueppauff and Jessica Alderslade, delighted the audience with the well known Candyman, backed by the full band.
Gary Boland featured for a rendition of Body & Soul on Flugel, including jazz improvisation, and would be featured again later in the night during Sing Sing Sing.
James Pratt returned to the stage, and simply stunned the audience with the emotional The Music of the Night from the Phantom of the Opera.
Heavy was a Tuba Feature. Any why not, the instruments are such an important section of the band. Darren & Kathy Cameron, Martin van der Koogh, John Bartsch, Mike Magin and Adrienne Meikle had a lot of fun centre stage with this piece.
The Post Horn Gallop is a difficult enough piece at the best of times, let alone when played on a gun barrel. This year Neville Alderslade passed the infamous .303 rifle on to the next generation, Principal Cornet Jacob Staehr who undertook the honored roll with gusto.
 There was more German Oom-pah numbers. Beer Barrel Polka, Trink Trink and Liechtensteiner but to name a few.
Highland Cathedral is one of the few pieces that successfully enables Brass Band and Pipes to combine effectively. With the hall spot light firmly on the SA Pipes and Drums, the pipers entered the hall and weaved their way through the audience. The pipers and drums then emerged on stage to combine with band in performance. It was a defining moment of the night's concert and as always was very moving.
Tanunda Town Band ended the 2007 Melodienacht with plenty of thanks to their loyal sponsors and supporters. The show ended with Amigos Para Siempre, and yes, another Ein Prosit.
Members of the Tanunda Town Band returned to the Band Room for well some deserved celebrations and a 150th Birthday cake. It's not quite their official birthday yet. This all happens on October the 6th this year. It's an occasion you'll not want to miss.
Adapted from a review by Andrew Stone
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New Sponsor
 During the sesquicentennial year of the Tanunda Town Band, the committee has initiated a sponsorship drive. We are proud to welcome The Barossa Council as a bronze sponsor of the band in 2007. We thank the council for their continued support and look forward to maintaining our strong relationship.
Enquiries or interest in sponsoring Tanunda Town Band can be addressed to our secretary Gwen Sando at secretary@tanundatownband.com
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Declaration of Vintage
Tanunda Town Band has also recently participated in the traditional “Declaration of Vintage” in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. The band led the parade through the main street of Tanunda following the church service and blessing, and then performed as the formal declaration was made in the Rotunda. After sampling some of the juice, it was decreed that this will be an excellent year for the region.
Above, the band leading the Declaration of Vintage parade through Tanunda.
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News from the Annual General Meeting
Tanunda Town Band held its Annual General Meeting in the Tanunda Band Hall on 19th February 2007. The new committee as elected is as follows:
President: Stephen John;
Vice President: Gordon Alderslade;
Secretary: Gwen Sando;
Treasurer: Tracy Cheesman;
Committee: Edna Alderslade, Thomas Ludi, John Bartsch, Michael Magin, Brian Phillips, Justin Kennedy.
A highlight of the evening was the bestowment of awards to members of the band. The awards and their proud recipients were:
John Bartsch - President’s Award (see photo above, sponsored by Neville and Edna Alderslade)
Jacob Staehr - Musical Directors Award
Justin Kennedy - Most Improved Player
Thomas Ludi - Best Attendance
Rachele Soar - Academy of Music Best Player (John Richter Memorial Trophy)
Life Membership was awarded to Alicia Schutz-Ludi.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, attendees were fed and watered for braving the heat.
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Happy New Year!
Tanunda Town Band would like to wish all our members, friends, supporters, and visitors a happy end to 2006, and are looking forward to a big 2007. The planning of the 150th celebrations are all proceeding well, watch this space for announcements!
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Brass & Crows!
Members of Tanunda Town Band joined with the Adelaide Crows Foundation Choir to present “Carols in the Shed”, held on Thursday 21st December to a crowd of over 500 people. This inaugural event was musically directed by long-time TTB collaborator James Pratt, leading a twenty-piece orchestra and full choir. Members of the band who played were: Stephen, Mel and David (trombones); Gary, Alicia and Thomas (cornets); and Paul (percussion).
Some highlights of the evening included Crows Chairman Bill Sanders showing off his long held drumming skills on The Carol of the Drum, and a vocal feature by the choir covering Mariah Carey’s All I Want 4 Xmas. Also during the night a “Crows Idol” competition was held pitting the singing talents of Mark Bickley, Stephen Rowe, Andrew Jarman and Graham Cornes and their children against each other. Judged by Fitzy and Stephen Trigg, the eventual winners were the Cornes family performing Jingle Bell Rock, which featured Graham Cornes on guitar.
The venue was reminiscent of the traditional Melodienacht venue, the Tanunda Show Hall, being a large tin shed. After the rain started to fall and the announcement that the crows shed had a tendency to leak, it brought back memories of the “inside rain” caused by condensation every May in Tanunda.
The band is honoured to be asked to support this community event, and looks forward to maintaining a strong relationship with the Adelaide Crows. Our congratulations to Michael Pratt for organising this successful night.
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Another Honour for John
Tanunda Town Band congratulates John van der Koogh (cornet) on being a recipient of Life Membership of the Payneham City Concert Band at their recent Annual General Meeting. This is a great achievement for John, who first played with Payneham in the late 1950s. John was also awarded Life Membership of Tanunda Town Band in February 2006.
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