Pitch perfect

A South West school band has achieved success on the national stage, becoming the first WA band to win both a junior championship and open championship at the same event.

The Australind Senior High School senior concert band won in two divisions at the 2025 Australian National Band Championship in Melbourne.

It took out the Junior Bands – B Division and Open Grade Concert Bands – D Division. 

Australind Senior High School band leader Jayden Williamson said there was an overall feeling of happiness and excitement from the students, mixed in with relief and sheer emotion. 

“There were plenty of tears of joy and a high level of satisfaction with the announcement of the wins,” he said. 

“They got the reward for their effort, the feeling that all their hard work was justified and worth it. This meant so much to so many of the Australind Senior High School music students.” 

Mr Williamson said the competition was a fantastic opportunity for students to see bands from across the country perform. It was also a way for them to learn from some of the world’s top performers in the brass and concert band profession.  

“There were some amazing musicians there over the weekend, and there was a chance to see and hear some of the best, and even chat to a few outside of the competition hall,” he said. 

“Participating in workshops with previous national champions, as well as performing for closed adjudication, allows for the best feedback possible for our students to improve on their craft.  

“Closed adjudication meant the 3 adjudicators of our open division didn’t know they were high school students until results were announced, all collectively agreeing that our students deserved the honour of national champions over adult bands and previous winners.” 

To prepare for the big performance, more than 70 hours of full band rehearsals took place between January and April.  

The national win follows the band’s success in a number of state competitions.