Contagious virtuosity helped Dunedin musicians win the band of the year award at the 2014 New Zealand Brass Band Championships in Invercargill.
Musical director Peter Adams said the virtuosity of St Kilda Brass Band leader Steve Miles was ''contagious'' and instilled the confidence in the band to win the top prize at the national championships on Friday.
Mr Miles won soloist of the year award playing a euphonium.
''A trumpet on steroids,'' said Kimberley Johnston, who won the Brass Bands Association of New Zealand administrator of the year award.
Mr Adams said the band's contemporary programme - including Enter the Galaxies, Valero, Carnival Cocktail, Misty and The Dreaded Groove and Hook - ''reflected the youthful vitality and energy'' of the band's University of Otago student base.
Band chairman Errol Moore said the open ensemble was won by himself, Mr Miles, Harry Smith, and John McAdam. Jess Schweizer won the junior flugel championship.
