Australian National Band Championships 2026 – Junior A Grade

Hyde Street Youth Band also competed in the Junior A competition with many of our younger Hyde Street players in their very first or second competition, placing second. We’ve seen the energy and hours you’ve put into your music and your band. And your ability to be flexible, resourceful and brave – for example, Quinn for taking up tuba 4 weeks before the competition to fill a vacancy, and Henry, at 11, taking up the soprano cornet, moving from cornet 4 months before.

A heartfelt thanks to Fern Gass for your outstanding dedication to conducting and developing our young players. There’s nothing quite as exciting as seeing players grow through banding into leadership roles at such a young age as you have! We are very proud of you. And congratulations to Box Hill Academy Brass for your excellent performance and win in the grade.

Photos: Linda Ely, David Moorhouse