Local high school music teacher Bruce Myers has returned home victorious from the 2025 Australian National Band Championships, with wins in both the band and solo competitions.
The Championships, which were held over the Easter long weekend, presents a display of some of the finest musicians in the Country.
Bruce’s latest victory marks his second win in the competition, having first claimed the title in 2009. Making him one of only eleven tenor horn players to have won the Champion of Champions event in its 90-year history — and the only tenor horn player to do so in the past 40 years.
This year’s win places Bruce among the finest tenor horn players Australia has produced.
Bruce has been playing the Tenor Horn since he was 12 years old and despite trialling other instruments throughout his lifetime, it’s the one that has his heart.
“I just love the sound of it, the tenor horn is my favourite instrument to play, alongside the French horn,” said Bruce.
“It’s not just how it sounds on its own but also how it reacts within an ensemble – There is something magical about being the middle voice of an ensemble.”
Bruce performed first tenor horn with Sydney City Brass, who were awarded the title of Best Brass Band at the prestigious event. In addition to the band’s success, Mr Myers claimed individual honours, winning Best Tenor Horn Soloist before going on to take out the coveted “Open Brass Champion of Champions” title.
The Champion of Champions event pits the top brass soloists from Australia and New Zealand against one another.
Upon awarding Bruce, the title, adjudicators Jamie Lawson and Richard Shirley remarked that he had done something to the instrument that “shouldn’t be legal,” and expressed their astonishment at the exceptionally high standard of all the soloists.
“The Champion of Champions is really a very difficult contest to win,” he said.
As well as his busy teaching job at O’Connor Catholic College, Bruce rehearses and performs regularly with Sydney City Brass.
“Sydney City Brass has given me a real sense of belonging,” he said.
“They really stretch the boundaries of excellence in their performances.”
“It is busy travelling to Syndey for rehearsals but honestly it’s as much a social occasion as it is about the music.”
The ensemble will next perform in August at the Mosman Art Gallery.
And a feat his students are all very proud of.
“They’ve been very supportive and I have had quite a few students come and say congratulations which has been really lovely,” said Bruce.
“I really enjoy teaching and being able to pass on some of the skills I’ve learned, as well as the sense of belonging that comes in playing music and playing in a band.”
When asked if there are any budding horn players in the ranks at O’Connor, Bruce said, “Not yet but we do have some brilliant trumpet and saxophone players so who knows.”
He also recently played the bugle calls at the ANZAC Day morning service at the Ebor-Guy Fawkes War Memorial. For more information about Sydney City Brass,
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