Two brass instrumentalists at opposites end of the experience scale, brought home trophies from the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Brass Band competition.
Peter Cranson, principal cornet and president of Tauranga Brass Band, and Daniel Jeong, a Tauranga Boys' College Year 12 student, both returned with trophies won on the first day of the championship - given over to the solo competitions.
Daniel was first in the slow melody (under 19) and variation (under 19) competitions, while Peter won the veteran's variation and came second in the slow melody (veterans) competition and third in the overall champion variation competition.
It was the fifth time he has won the veteran's variation trophy.
Daniel has played the euphonium for four years, before that playing the baritone horn. He also plays the trombone.
He is a member of Silver City Band, as well as the New Zealand Youth Orchestra and Tauranga Boys' College Big Band. He was also recently selected as a member of the New Zealand Secondary Schools' Brass Band.
"It's a big event - it's an open event, so people come from everywhere," says Peter of the competition.
Peter has been playing for 57 years and since arriving in Tauranga in 2001 he has at times played with both Tauranga Brass and the Silver City Band.
"Brass band music is quite big in New Zealand - there is a national competition that will be held in Rotorua next year and it is popular all over the country. Lots of young people are taking it up."
Daniel says he began playing with the Silver City Band and taking part in competitions to get more experience and versatility.
"Jazz is fun and a bit more free, brass is a bit more structured."
He says he needs to balance his practice with his academic work, so only manages around an hour's practice a day, although he practiced more in the immediate lead-up to the competition.
When he was younger Peter would practice three or four hours a day.
"And that has stood me in good stead as I am still playing."
Tauranga Brass and the Silver City Band are to join forces with the Salvation Army Band for a concert next month.