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2025 National Contest Information
2025 National Contest Information
Where to be and when
Where to be and when
What to bring
What to bring
Instrument - clean and polished
Music stand
Lyre - for the March
Mutes - as required (don’t forget whisper mutes and the cute little blankets for the cornet mutes)
Music - March, Hymn, Own Choice, Test, [Solo/Ensemble]
Marching Uniform -
Hat (Check the badge)
Tie
Jacket (Check the buttons and lanyard)
White shirt
Trousers
Clean and polished plain black shoes
Black socks
Stage Uniform -
The blue uniform (Jacket, Trousers, Shirt)
Silver tie
Clean and polished black shoes
Plain black socks
Please ensure uniforms are clean and tidy (Dry Cleaned!).
Remember to pack a black belt, if required.
If you require buttons or repairs to your uniform, contact Lisa Kay, ASAP.
Accommodation
Accommodation
Wyndham Garden Christchurch City
64 Kilmore Street, Christchurch City
Tel: 03 244 0101
Property features:
Free WI-FI
On-site Café
Basic fitness room
100% non-smoking hotel
The hotel is just 250-metres from the Christchurch Town Hall so it does have a terrific location just a short stroll from the venue.
Rooms feature:
Mini refrigerator
Kitchenette with toaster, microwave, dishwasher and cooking utensils
Tea/coffee making facilities
Iron + ironing board
Hair dryer
Bath products
Washing machine and dryer
Meals:
As per previous years, meals are not included in the cost.
However there is a café onsite which is open for breakfast so if you want to eat there, you can pay direct.
Café opening times:
7.00am-10.00am: Monday – Sunday
5.00pm-8.00pm: Tuesday - Sunday
Bar:
Open 5.00pm-8.00pm: Tuesday - Sunday
Check-in:
Please check in with your surname and Hamilton City Brass.
A credit card guarantee is required when you check in. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash bond on arrival.
Car parking:
Parking spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Cost is $20 per night, and unfortunately cannot be reserved advance. All parking is self-service – ie. not valet.
Rehearsal Venue
Rehearsal Venue
The Cathedral Grammar School
2 Chester Street West,
Christchurch
It is approximately 400m from the hotel (shorter if you use Pythagoras’ Theorem)
Pack-in:
We require assistance at 1:30pm on Wednesday. We are on the top floor. There are two sets of stairs – one wider and one narrower.
One small elevator (for wheelchairs) which can be used for some percussion gear but some of the larger items will need to be carried up the stairs.
Holiday Programme:
There is a holiday programme taking place in the same building. HCB is on the top floor and the holiday programme is on the bottom floor. Shared spaces are the entrances and bathrooms. Please move through these areas quickly and stay away from students at all times.
NOTE: It is a Health and Safety requirement that HCB members stay away from students in the holiday programme.
Solo/Ensemble Events
Solo/Ensemble Events
Entry to watch solos/ensembles is free so please get along and support as many as possible!
The draw for our competitors:
*The time given is the event start time
Withdrawal meeting:
Wednesday at 9:00am in Hall 3.
Venues:
Halls 1-4 are in the Christchurch Town Hall Complex. Hall 1 is the Auditorium, Hall 2 is the James Hay Theatre, Hall 3 is the Avon Room and Hall 4 is the Limes Room.
Hall 5 (ensembles on Wednesday only) is Salvation Army Centre, 853 Colombo Street. This is an 11 minute walk from the Town Hall.
Band Events
Band Events
All band events are in the Christchurch Town Hall Complex.
A and B Grade Events are in the Auditorium
C, D and Youth Grade Events are in the James Hay Theatre.
Draws
Friday
Sacred Item and Test – Draw 10. Approximate time on stage 9:40pm.
Saturday
Own Choice – Draw 1. Time on stage 4:30pm.
Other Events
Junior Champion of Champions – Wednesday 5pm, James Hay Theatre
Invitation Slow Melody – Wednesday 8pm, James Hay Theatre
Open Champion of Champions – Thursday 7:30pm, James Hay Theatre
Street March
Street March
Start time: 10:30 am Sunday. Prizegiving: 11:45am. Bands march in the following order: D, C, B, A Grade. Wet weather venue is the Town Hall Auditorium.
We are band number 27 (6th in the A Grade).
The image below shows the route for the Street March.
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