The 2019 Australian National Band Championships have quickly come upon us, so I am once again preparing some preview and prediction articles for each open brass event of the weekend. First up are the Open D Grade Brass, which will see three competitors contend for the National title. While tight on competitors, each band is quite capable of success and could make for an interesting competition.
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2018 is now well and truly coming to a close. 2019 brings us new performing opportunities and a possibility of growth, but it should also provide us with a chance to evaluate what we did in 2018 and how we can improve our own banding movements. Unfortunately, community banding is not growing, and unless the current players and bands change their ways, there is every chance community banding may become less and less relevant.
That is why I am challenging you all in 2019 to take on at least one of my 5 achievable New Year's Resolutions for 2019. I know I will be tackling all of these with my involvement with my own band, as well as my compositional career. If everyone took these steps on board, we would find our banding movements to be more enticing and enjoyable for non-bandspeople.
Hi everyone! Gee, it has been a little while since I posted here (I have been fairly busy with my composing and studies)! 2018 has been a huge year, with my exchange to Salford University, plus my big year of performances back home in Melbourne. Below you can find my top 10 favourite performances of my music from 2018.
I am excited about everything lined up in 2019! The Australian National Championships at Easter will be a big weekend, with 'Vengeance' being my first set test work at a National Contest. Keep your eyes peeled for more of my works throughout the weekend too! I'm also excited about a number of other works coming through the pipeline set for premieres in 2019! No clues just yet, but follow me on Facebook for updates as they arise!
I was fortunate enough to speak to Wellington Brass Band's 1st Trombone player Mark Davey after the band achieved its second competition success for 2018, winning the 2018 New Zealand Brass Band Championships A Grade. We spoke about what it takes to succeed at a high grade, his role conducting Hutt City Band in the B Grade and his thoughts on improving the New Zealand banding scene!
I was fortunate enough to sit down with world renowned cornetist, conductor and adjudicator Russell Gray, just before he headed to the 2018 New Zealand National Band Championships. We discussed his progression as a musician within the banding movement, his thoughts on conducting, his approach to adjudicating and his upcoming performance with the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra with the world premiere of Bill Broughton's Symphony. Read it below.
Earlier this month, I returned home to Melbourne from my 5 month exchange from Manchester, and what a whirlwind 5 months it has been for me musically and overall! It will be difficult to summarise the last couple of months in a single post, but read below to find out what I experienced and what new music I've written!
I was lucky enough to sit down with Black Dyke Brass Band's Bb Bass player Dave McGlynn to discuss his experiences in banding with some of the best bands in the world, as well as how he approaches playing tuba and how brass bands should be dealing with issues in banding.
What an incredible weekend of music Melbourne has enjoyed this Easter weekend. The Victorian Bands' League have succeeded in hosting a fantastic event with over 3,400 competitors and 78 bands. Hear now from the VBL about the 2018 Nationals, the QBA regarding 2019's Nationals and from Wellington's guest Musical Director Nigel Seaman. Reflect on the results of the Open Brass Grades plus the Open A Grade Concert Bands below!
At last, the final instalment of my Preview and Prediction series for the Australian National Band Championships for 2017. With a week to go, it has been exciting to go through all the competing bands and recognise their achievements and motivations going into this year's very exciting competition.
This year's Melbourne Nationals see 12 bands (following Frankston's withdrawal from the competition) compete in the Open C Grade Brass. A new National Champion will be crowned, following Latrobe Federal's back to back victory in the C Grade in 2016/17.
For whoever is crowned champion, B Grade contesting will surely not be far away. The C Grade competition has proven in the last 6 years to be a strong predictor of formidable B Grade bands, with Northern Brass (2014/15 Winners) and Marion City (2012/2013 Winners) both winning back to back C Grade titles prior to Latrobe Federal, and going on to achieve various successes in B Grade, such as Northern's 3rd place finish at the Victorian States 2017, or Marion's 3rd place at the 2017 Nationals. Could this year's winner go on to be another strong B Grade contender in years to come? Only time will tell! |
AuthorJared has written articles for the British Bandsman, as well as local community radio stations 3MBS and Radio Monash. Categories
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