Since the cancelling of the National and many State championships I can only watch and see the great endeavours of many who are trying to maintain the joy, love and passion for banding.
There is much we can do as individuals to maintain the high standard of community music making that is evident in this country by practising, seeking ways to improve technique and most importantly staying in touch with each other. Staying in touch means that we do not lose the sense of community that banding brings AND the next time you meet in person will be even better.
If any of you have innovative ways that you use to communicate do not hesitate to share them.
Be assured that the NBCA is aware of the difficulties and strains placed upon us at this time however our thoughts and prayers are with you and I look forward to next year when we will celebrate another exciting contest in Newcastle.
Best wishes
Barrie Gott President National Band Council of Australia
What a difference a few days has made. As the world comes to grips with the impact of the COVID-19 Coronavirus, the organising body for the nationals has taken a further critical review of the viability of hosting our event this Easter.
The NBCA has made the following statement:
Discussions were held with the National Band Council and the Western Australian organising committee today following the announcement of a pandemic. It is with regret that the the National Contest to be held in Perth at Easter will not proceed. We are well aware of the amount of preparation that has has been made by the organising committee and individual bands. However, circumstances and concerns by various stakeholders have made us come to this decision.
This decision was not made lightly but was in the end forced upon us.
Sincerely,
Barrie Gott President National Band Council of Australia
Notwithstanding WABA's alignment with the NBCA, this is a devastating blow to the team here - our small committee has moved mountains to welcome bands from all over Australia, and for it to end like this, just a few weeks out, is nothing short of heartbreaking. This competition was definitely going to be one for the books!
We sincerely thank our sponsors for their support - without your generosity we would not have made it this far.
The team has prepared a brief Q&A reference, available via our website here.
If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.
Wiebe Wilbers Organising Secretary 2020 National Band Championships Mob: 0439 723 843 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We are looking forward to be welcoming you back to Perth in 2020. The Nationals will run from Friday, 10th April to Monday, 13th April 2020.
In addition to the Nationals, Perth will have something for everyone. From our world class beaches, day trips to award winning winery regions, a wide range of accommodation in the city centre area, and restaurant and pubs to suit everyone, you will enjoy your time in Perth.
Keep an eye on the website for more information and feel free to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
We are looking forward to putting on a great Nationals for you!
The complete results for the 2018 Yamaha Australian National Band Championships have now been posted in the Archives area for reference.
The 2018 National event proved to be everything that was expected and more with the excellent venues in Melbourne. The Parade of Bands drew a good crowd and motivated many spectators to then attend the inside events over the remainder of the weekend.
Many band people will have great memories of the Melbourne contest with comments reflecting the appreciation for the hard work undertaken by the organizing committee, who produced the event, and the scores of volunteers who worked in various roles to make it all happen. The consistency of this annual event is always maintained by the hard work and dedication of the scores of people who volunteer their time to make it happen. Well done to these wonderful people.
The 2018 Yamaha Australian National Band Championships was deemed a great success by the attending bands, soloists, spectators, officials and friends alike. The audiences that filed in and out of the halls each day responded warmly to the wide variety of performances presented by well-rehearsed groups that gave of their best for the groups of adjudicators.
Viewers from near and far watched the constant live streams broadcast to the world by Tim Kelly and his team via brassbanned.com. The online chat dissected the performances with constant comment and it was obvious there were many well informed viewers eager to catch the finer details of the performances.
The marching contest attracted a large crowd to the grounds of the MLC where the bands performed their displays with precision to much happy reaction from the spectators. There was extra interest and fun reactions at the various antics illustrated at the change of direction movements. A maypole and impromptu cricket display amongst other creative initiatives created quite a reaction from the fun crowd.
A team of volunteers worked with passion and much dedication over the weekend to ensure the operations proceeded with a minimum of fuss and as little delay as could be managed.
All in all it was a magnificent weekend displaying the Australian banding movement at its finest and another national event that will trigger fine memories as it is talked about and reflected upon until the next event occurs in 2019 in the city of Brisbane.
Congratulations to everyone involved in Melbourne 2018 for a fine event that reflected to you all much credit and brought great pleasure to so many people both near and far. Well done to you all and thank you for a fine weekend.
The National Band Council of Australia is a representative body formed by agreement of the Australian State Governing Bodies which represent the six Australian States. It is incorporated under the relevant New South Wales legislation.
Hi all.
Hello again everyone.
The complete results for the 2018 Yamaha Australian National Band Championships have now been posted in the Archives area for reference.