THE Australian National Eisteddfod’s Bands & Orchestras event has  returned to its former live format, with around 2000 participants in 70 ensembles competing in late May.

The results are now in, with Canberra Brass, Canberra City Band and the John Agnew Band all receiving platinum awards.

Canberra Brass, directed by Veronica Boulton performed a variety of works – from an arrangement of Vivaldi’s “Winter” to the 1940s “Yes Indeed!” spiritual, while Canberra City Band, conducted by Shilong Ye, performed the third suite of “Folksongs for Band” by David Stanhope.

John Agnew Band performed three contrasting pieces, under the baton of Jenna Hinton.

The main adjudicator, Jemima Bunn, from Melbourne, was impressed with the repertoire chosen and overall standard. Over the 68 groups taking part there were nine platinum awards, 32 gold and 28 silver, a sign of the strength in youth and community music in and around Canberra.                                     

2023 Bands & Orchestras results

Section B 161– 16 Years & Under Jazz Bands (Grade B)

1. Lyneham High School Intermediate Jazz Band – GOLD
2. Canberra Grammar School Jazz Ensemble – GOLD
3. Campbell High School Year 8 Band – SILVER
4. Canberra High School Jazz Band – SILVER and KAAREN TALTY JAZZ ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD
5. Radford College Little Big Band – GOLD
6. Gold Creek School Senor School Jazz Band – GOLD
7. Lyneham High School Senior Jazz Band – SILVER
8. Campbell High School Senior Band – GOLD

Section B 162– 16 Years & Under Jazz Bands (Grade A)

1. Telopea Park School Jazz Empire – SILVER

Section B 181 – 18 Years & Under Jazz Bands (Grade B)

1. Canberra Grammar School Big Band – GOLD
2. Daramalan College Jazz Band – SILER
3. Radford College Big Band – SILVER
4. Hawker College Band – SILVER

B 001 Open Jazz Bands Grade B

1. Sonus Big Band – PLATINUM
2. ANU Music Society Big Band – GOLD

B 002 Open Jazz Bands Grade A

1. Twilight Jazz Band – PLATINUM

Section B 003 – Open Concert Bands (Grade C)

1. John Agnew Band – PLATINUM
2. Hunter School of the Performing Arts Junior Concert Band – GOLD

Section B 007 – Open Brass Bands (Grade B)

1. Victoria Street Brass – SILVER

Section B 004 – Open Concert Bands (Grade B)

1. Hunter School of the Performing Arts Senior Concert Band – GOLD

Section B 005 – Open Concert Bands (Grade A)

1. Ginninderra Wind Orchestra – GOLD
2. Canberra City Band – PLATINUM

Section B 008 – Open Brass Bands (Grade A)

1. Canberra Brass – PLATINUM

Section B 141 – 14 Years & Under Concert Bands (Grade B)

1. Telopea Park School Year 7 Band – GOLD
2. Radford College Gershwin Concert Band – SILVER

Section B 163– 16 Years & Under Concert Bands (Grade C)

1. Young Music Society Concert Band – SILVER
2. Canberra Grammar School Barrett Concert Band – PLATINUM
3. Daramalan College Junior Concert Band – GOLD
4. Hunter School of the Performing Arts Junior Concert Band – PLATINUM

Section B 164 – 16 Years & Under Concert Bands (Grade B)

1. Telopea Park School Wind Ensemble B (Grade B) – GOLD
2. Canberra Grammar School Middleton Concert Band – GOLD

Section B 165 – 16 Years & Under Concert Bands (Grade A)

1. Telopea Park School Wind Ensemble (Grade A) – SILVER

Section B 183 – 18 Years & Under Concert Bands (Grade C)

1. James Sheahan Catholic High School Concert Band – GOLD

Section B 184 – 18 Years & Under Concert Bands (Grade B)

1. Radford College Bernstein Symphonic Wind Ensemble – GOLD
2. Hunter School of the Performing Arts Senior Concert Band – GOLD
3. Canberra Grammar School Fischer Concert Band – PLATINUM
4. Epping Boys High School Concert Band – SILVER

Section B 185 – 18 Years & Under Concert Bands (Grade A)

1. Canberra Girls Grammar School Empire Concert Band – SILVER

Section B 187 – 18 Years & Under String Orchestras

1. Epping Boys High School String Orchestra – PLATINUM
2. Hunter School of the Performing Arts String Orchestra – SILVER
3. Canberra Grammar School Senior School String Orchestra – SILVER
4. Daramalan College String Ensemble – SILVER

Section B 010 – Open Ensembles

1. Epping Boys High School Senior Jazz Ensemble (Open Ensembles) – GOLD

Section B 167  – 16 Years & Under Ensembles

1. James Sheahan String Ensemble – SILVER
2. Daramalan College Small Jazz Ensemble – GOLD

Section B 008 – Open String Orchestras

1. Hunter School of the Performing Arts String Orchestra – GOLD
2. Canberra Grammar School Senior Chamber Strings – GOLD

Section B 009 – Open Orchestras

1. Epping Boys High School Orchestra – SILVER

Section B HS1 – ACT High School Bands (Beginner)

1. Lyneham High School Year 7 Beginner Concert Band – GOLD
2. Campbell High School Year 7 Beginner Band – GOLD
3. Gold Creek Secondary School Beginner Band – GOLD

Section B HS2 – ACT High School Bands (Novice)

1. Harrison School Senior Band – GOLD
2. Brindabella Christian College Intermediate Band – GOLD
3. Campbell High School Year 7 Band – GOLD
4. Melba Copland Secondary School Year 7 Band – SILVER
5. Lyneham High School Year 7 Concert Band – SILVER

Section B HS3 – ACT High School Bands (Intermediate)

1. Lyneham High School Year 8 Concert Band – SILVER
2. Canberra High Year 8 Band – GOLD
3. Melba Copland Secondary School Concert Band – SILVER
4. Gold Creek School Secondary School Y7-10 Band – SILVER AND MASLING ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD
5. Brindabella Christian College Senior Band – SILVER

Section B HS4 – ACT High School Bands (Advanced)

1. Lyneham High School Year 9 Concert Band – GOLD
2. Canberra High School Senior Band – SILVER

 Section B HS5 – ACT High School/College Bands (Advanced)

1. Lyneham High School Year 10 Concert Band – GOLD

Section B PS1 – Primary School Age Bands

1. Maribyrnong School Year 6 Woodwind Band – GOLD
2. Canberra Girls Grammar School Bandicoot Concert Band – GOLD
3. Kingsford Smith/Latham Combined Year 6 Band – SILVER
4. Gold Creek School Year 6 Band – SILVER
5. Canberra Grammar School Primary Concert Band (by recording) – SILVER