Published: 14 October 2023

Following the success of Women In Brass in Brisbane 2022 and Melbourne 2023 we have decided to do it again, this time in Sydney.

We are calling for Expressions of Interest to be part of this dynamic event in Sydney 11th May 2024. Please fill out the Expression of Interest form and join the Facebook group Women In Brass.

Rehearsals will be Saturday, 4th May, Sunday, 5th May and concert day Saturday, 11th May.

The chosen players will receive access to their music by the end of the year. As rehearsal time is very limited, please have your parts fully prepared, prior to the first rehearsal so we can start shaping the music.

The objective of this band is to promote the talents of Australian female brass musicians and percussionists. We aim to inspire young female players and engage with community music groups nationally. Each year we will perform in a different state to allow for greater involvement across the country.

Below is a brief outline of the processes involved in the player section for Women In Brass:

• Expressions of Interest are sent out via the Women In Brass Facebook group as well as other banding pages.
• A selection panel including the appointed Musical Director(s) and organising committee assess the list using set criteria.
• The criterion for selection includes a number of factors: Who applies/player interest, player availability, player standard, and number requirements of each section.
• Players are contacted by the selection panel if they require more information.
• Previous acceptance into the group does not guarantee future acceptance.

Anyone who is traveling interstate to the event will be responsible for their own travel expenses as this is a charity event and we are unable to cover people's costs. To minimise accommodation costs, we are looking at the option of interstate players being billeted by NSW players. If this option interests you, please indicate it on the Expression of Interest form.

We look forward to making this another outstanding event to celebrate brass band music and bring Women In Brass together.

Marissa Clarke
Women In Brass Founder
Ph: 0408 748 052

Published: 21 July 2023

It is with heavy hearts that we acknowledge the passing of Robert Bedwell OAM. Former President of the National Band Council of Australia.

Robert dedicated his life to teaching and making music. He was an ardent supporter of the Band Association of NSW and a prolific conductor whose career spanned over 25 years. He was at the helm of several bands, including the Central Coast Concert Band, the Forrest High School Bands, the City of Lake Macquarie Concert Band, and the Abbotsleigh Girls School Concert Band. He also established the Forrest Wind Orchestra. He mentored countless students and left an indelible mark on their musical education.

Robert was a highly successful conductor who won four Open National Band Championship titles in Open ‘D’ Concert, Open ‘C’, and Open ‘B’ Concert. He was also a respected adjudicator at several State and National Solo and Band Championships.

Robert served as the Band Association of NSW President from 1998 to 2005 and as the President of the National Band Council for two periods from 2005 to 2009 and then again from 2013 to 2015. He will be remembered for his great sense of humour, his Navy stories, and most of all, his passion and dedication to banding in NSW and across Australia.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Robert's family during this difficult time. He will be sorely missed.

Published: 15 May 2023

Join Women In Brass for an evening of fantastic music, featuring some of Australia's top female brass and percussion players. With a broad range of music on offer, there's something for everyone.

From traditional hymns to folk tunes, movie themes, classical arrangements and more, the repertoire is a great challenge for players, whilst also providing a varied program to keep you, the audience, on your toes.

If you've never heard a brass band perform, this is a fantastic opportunity to see the wide range of music styles that can be played by a brass group. And if you're an experienced 'brass-bandie', what better way to spend a Saturday night that supporting your fellow bandies and helping to celebrate just how far female banding in Australia has come.

The next concert is at 7pm, Saturday, 27th May 2023 at Huntingtower School, Mount Waverley, Victoria. Tickets start at just $20 and can be purchased by visiting: https://womeninbrass.com.au/tickets/.

Published: 12 March 2023

Did you know that the National Band Council of Australia have an interactive map of the locations of the community brass and concert bands of Australia? This is an ongoing project designed to provide a streamlined method to easily obtain the name of bands, their rehearsal locations and times, website links and Facebook pages. So far there are 235 brass and 282 concert bands plotted on the map which can be accessed by clicking here.

As we are sure you can appreciate this is a large project, and while every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, we appreciate that details can get out of date very quickly. Please let us know if your band is not featured on the map or if changes or corrections need to be made to your band’s information. We are also keen to ensure that the pins on this map accurately represent the location of your band’s rehearsal space.

There are still some bands that we'd like to hear from so that we can add them to the map.

Published: 19 February 2023

The National Band Council of Australia (NBCA) is undertaking a survey to assess trends, attitudes and future planning across three categories: the NBCA itself; the Australian National Band Championships; and community banding in general.

Responses will remain anonymous but will be used to inform future events and activities undertaken by the NBCA and affiliated State Governing Bodies.

The survey should take about 15-20 minutes to complete, and you can only take the survey once. The survey is open between 19th February and the 16th April 2023.

The NBCA thanks you for your candid, constructive, feedback.

To access the survey, please click here.

Published: 28 January 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of NBCA Life Member, former Executive Officer and Western Australian Councillor Tony Schraven.

Tony was a humble and hardworking person, regularly putting the needs of others above his own. He could always be found backstage at a contest, happy to take on any volunteer role.

Tony was also President of the Western Australian Band Association, long term President, librarian, publicity officer, bookings officer and playing member of the Mandurah Concert Band, member of the 2013 Perth Nationals Organising Committee, 2016 Western Australian Bands Person of the Year and a trumpet player extraordinaire who was awarded 'Local Legend' status by the Mandurah Shire Council in 2020.

Those who knew Tony knew him as a kind and generous man who always had time to talk and to support those around him. He had a wide smile and was always “bloody marvellous”.

Tony will be deeply missed, as an administrator and a musician, but mostly as a friend.

The NBCA’s thoughts and sympathies are extended to Tony’s wife Joyce and his family and friends at this sad and difficult time.

Rest peacefully Tony.

Published: 26 July 2022

Nominations are now open for the position of President of the NBCA.

The National Band Council of Australia (NBCA) is a not-for-profit incorporated organisation that facilitates the Australian National Band Championships and promotes a general love and knowledge of band music and good fellowship among band persons. The Council is comprised of representatives from affiliated State Governing Bodies.

The position of President supports the Council through:

• Legal and financial accountability
• Strategic vision and objectives
• Fundraising
• Advocacy

Suitable candidates will be able to demonstrate:

• Experience in a similar executive board role within the community or not-for-profit sectors
• Knowledge of the operating environment of community banding and/or that of the performing arts
• Proven ability to shape strategic vision, and negotiate with stakeholders, with political acumen

Interested parties should submit an application of no more than 1,000 words, addressing the criteria above, to the Executive Officer (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by 5pm AEST on Friday, 19th August 2022.

The Council will consider these nominations at a meeting to be held on 4th September 2022.

Nominees must also have a letter of support from their state governing body and have their nomination seconded by a second State Governing Body. More information can be found in the NBCA Constitution here.

Megan Stapleton
Executive Officer
National Band Council of Australia Inc.

Published: 20 June 2022

As per the NBCA Constitution, when a position on the NBCA Executive is filled via a casual vacancy, an election must be called for this position at the next Annual General Meeting.

Nominations are now called for the position of President of the NBCA.

The National Band Council of Australia (NBCA) is a not-for-profit incorporated organisation that facilitates the Australian National Band Championships and promotes a general love and knowledge of band music and good fellowship among band persons. The Council is comprised of representatives from affiliated State Governing Bodies.

The position of President supports the Council through:

• Legal and financial accountability
• Strategic vision and objectives
• Fundraising
• Advocacy

Suitable candidates will be able to demonstrate:

• Experience in a similar executive board role within the community or not-for-profit sectors
• Knowledge of the operating environment of community banding and/or that of the performing arts
• Proven ability to shape strategic vision, and negotiate with stakeholders, with political acumen

Interested parties should submit an application of no more than 1,000 words, addressing the criteria above, to the Executive Officer (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by 8pm AEST on Sunday, 3rd July 2022.

The Council will consider these nominations at a meeting to be held on 24th July 2022.

Nominees must also have a letter of support from their state governing body and have their nomination seconded by a second State Governing Body. More information can be found in the NBCA Constitution here.

Megan Stapleton
Executive Officer
National Band Council of Australia Inc.