State Solo & Ensemble Championships 2024

What a day Hyde Street Youth Band has had in the Victorian Bands’ League State Championships today! 11 courageous young musicians competed in 21 sections with one Junior Champion of Champions, 2 Open Champions, 9 Junior State Champions and 9 place getters.

Here’s a final summary of yesterday’s Victorian State Solo Competition:

Ben Gittins
– Junior Champion of Champions,
– Open trumpet champion,
– Open Flugal Champion,
– Junior Cornet Champion,
– Junior Trumpet Champion,
– 2nd Slow Melody

Atticus Lawson –
– Junior Flugal Horn Champion

Angus Irvin
– Junior Tenor Horn Champion,
– 2nd Open Tenor Horn

Fergus Moorehouse
– Junior Tuba Champion

Ben Borg-Cardona
– JUV U15 Novice Other Brass Champion

Harrison Brink
– Junior Timpani Champion,
– Open Timpani Champion
– 2nd JUV U15 Novice Cornet/Trumpet
– 3rd snare

Will Lawrence
– Junior Mallets Champion

Izzi Smith
– 2nd Junior Tuba

James Lawrence
– 2nd Junior Trumpet

Tom Hamilton –
– 5th Junior Trumpet

Jordan Doidge
– 2nd Juvenile Trombone
– 4th Juvenile Euphonium

It takes a village for young musicians to thrive! The Victorian Bands’ League who put on the State Solos Competition involves tireless volunteers who go way and beyond, with a huge call-out to Megan Stapleton. And without the support of our Youth Band MD Phillipa Edwards, who’s mentored the kids in solo skills and our Musical Directors, Andrew Wilson, Caitlin Taylor and Bethany McAuliffe-D’Rozario, and their teachers, our kids wouldn’t thrive.

An extra special call-out to our accompanist Patrick Lawrence who’s tirelessly practiced and performed with our kids and Trudy Gittens who played for Ben 7 times! And to the parents who support their kids musical journey in every way. And our musical friends from across the State and in other local bands. And also Linda for doing her best to make the administration run smoothly, and taking photos and sorting social media.