Band amongst nation's best

The Rotorua Symphonic Band received a bronze medal at this year's National Concert Band Festival, which was held at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre. Photo / Stephen Parker

It was not the golden occasion the Rotorua Symphonic Band had hoped for but they still came out with a gong.

The National Concert Band Festival was held in Rotorua on Friday and Saturday with 26 bands entertaining audiences at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre.

Band committee chairman David Elliot said there was a good turnout but unfortunately they could not improve on last year's silver medal.

"Our performance was a bit disappointing," he said.

"The distraction of running the festival probably detracted from our performance. We got a bronze.

"It's taken the shine off the fact we did such a good job running the show."

The top band was Manukau Concert Band.

Mr Elliot said the festival would be in Gisborne next year and they hoped to take part.

The Rotorua Symphonic Band played a varied selection for the competition, including songs from the Disney film Frozen and the greatest war themes.

Mr Elliot said the Frozen medley had required a "lot of hard work".

Concert bands include woodwind instruments as well as brass and percussion.

More than 900 musicians took part in the festival which also had solo and ensemble awards, as well as the overall band performances.

Mr Elliot said the band would take a couple of weeks off before shaking the cobwebs off the Christmas sheet music and preparing for carols season.

National Concert Band Festival

* Held annually for New Zealand concert bands
* This year held in Rotorua
* Medals awarded to set criteria
* Rotorua Symphonic Band awarded a bronze
* A cup awarded to the top band, this year Manukau Concert Band
* Next year's competition is in Gisborne
* Bands include brass, woodwind and percussion instruments