NBCA November Conference
The NBCA Councillors and Executive held a productive November conference on Sunday morning. The council covered a range of topics, including: enacting quotas for test pieces at Nationals to support a diverse range of composers, ages for junior band members, live-streaming parts of NBCA conferences, emerging from COVID and what support NBCA can provide to member states, enacting conversations with other music organisations and the federal arts minister, and updates on the 2022 and 2023 nationals.
We agreed to make an Acknowledgement of Country, and a Welcome to Country where practical for NBCA events and meetings moving forward.
Moving to a Zoom meeting for the conference this November also removed the need for travel around the country given travel restrictions. We are investigating whether to keep the November conference as a Zoom event in future. This will help reduce our carbon footprint, and also save member states the financial cost of travel of their delegates.
If you want any further information regarding what was talked about, you will be able to read the minutes for the meeting when they are released in the coming weeks, or you can speak to your state NBCA councillor.
Thanks,
Paul De Cinque
President
National Band Council of Australia
Dr Paul De Cinque Elected NBCA President
It is with much pleasure that we announce that Dr Paul De Cinque, the Chair of Brass and Music Education at the University of Western Australia Conservatorium of Music has been elected President of the NBCA. We welcome Paul and his considerable experience and expertise in the community music sector and look forward to continuing to develop an NBCA that truly reflects the desires and interests of the Australian banding community.
An open statement from Paul:
“I am very excited to take on what I know will be a challenging but rewarding position as NBCA President. Like many of you, I was sad to see Barrie stand down; I wish him the best and thank him for everything he has done for Australian bands. I joined my first community band as a Year 9 student and have been involved in community brass and concert bands since then as a player, conductor, and administrator. Australia is such a large place, and as a West Australian, I am looking forward to getting around our beautiful country and meeting many of you. Community banding takes a lot of time for each of us, and we are so lucky to have so many dedicated players and administrators that make what we do possible. In my role as President, I hope to be able to continue the NBCA’s work to support all of you in our bands, and do what I can to encourage the continued growth and awareness of the banding movement. I am very much looking forward to working with you all.”
Paul De Cinque
D.M.A., M.M., B.Mus(Hons), B.MusEd, B.Comm
President
National Band Council of Australia
NBCA President Casual Vacancy - Call for nominations
It is with regret that we advise that Mr Barrie Gott has resigned from the role of President of the NBCA for personal reasons. We thank him for his service and wish him all the best. 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. Currently the NBCA has committed to an exciting new format for the Australian National Band Championships, which includes live streaming from hubs across the country – further extending the accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity of the contest – and exploring new opportunities for the performing arts within the COVID-19 impacted environment. 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 a statement of claims of no more than 1000 words, addressing the criteria above, to the Executive Officer (
Tony Schraven
Executive Officer
National Band Council of Australia Inc.
Vale: Arthur V. Edwards (1937-2021)
On behalf of the Tasmanian Bands League and members, current and past of the Glenorchy City Concert Brass we are saddened by the news that Arthur Edwards has passed away in Queensland this week. Arthur, Life Member of the Tasmanian Bands League and legendary past Musical Director of the Glenorchy City Concert Brass, previously known as the Returned Services Memorial Band.
Arthur led the Glenorchy City Concert Brass through the 70s and 80s and had great success in state and national contests, including winning the 1984 ‘B’ Grade Championships in Nelson, New Zealand. Arthur also took the band to the top level competing in ‘A’ Grade in the 1981 Australian National Band Championships in Burnie, Tasmania. The band also won the ABC National Band of the Year contest, aired on the program ‘Strike Up the Band’, against all the top bands in Australia, on two occasions.
Arthur was a virtuoso cornet and trumpet player in bands across Australia and played professionally as a member of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Arthur enjoyed playing with other friends of the Glenorchy City Concert Brass; Don Cushion and Gray Sutcliffe, in the Tasmanian Trumpet Trio. They performed in the national television music contest called ‘Showcase’.
Arthur's greatest contribution, without any doubt, was as a teacher. As his daughter Julie said in a tribute 'He was one of the best brass teachers ever. Mr Fix It.'
Arthur was committed to junior development: teaching and inspiring players to the highest levels in amateur and professional fields. His Saturday morning Learners’ Class and his accomplished Junior Band were the training grounds of players who would become professional players, accomplished musicians and conductors. At one time it seemed that every state had an Arthur-trained musician in the highest-grade bands or in the professional orchestras. Many of Arthur's students made their career at a professional level in Australia and overseas, and many more enjoying their involvement in community music, particularly in brass bands. His own children, Rick (deceased) Julie and Peter are testament to this.
The NBCA wish to extend their condolences to his wife Gwen and daughter and son, Julie and Peter.
The 2022 Australian National Band Championships - Play Locally, Compete Nationally!
Unfortunately the 2022 Australian National Band Championships to be hosted in Tanunda, South Australia will not be proceeding as originally planned. The NBCA would like to apologise to those bands that may have begun to plan their preparations for this event. We certainly hope to be back in South Australia in the not too distant future.
However…
The NBCA would like to announce that the Australian National Band Championships will be entering new and exciting territory in 2022. Bands will come together in their own states to compete Nationally with live stages and streaming to be held at various locations around the country. The NBCA are in the early stages of developing this proposal with further details to follow.
PLEASE WATCH THIS SPACE!
Vale: David H. Peters, OAM (1955-2020)
It is with much sadness that we report the passing of former President and Life Member of the NBCA David Peters, OAM. David was a significant figure within the banding movement in Tasmania and nationally. He was a life member of the TBL having served as President. David was awarded the TBL Badge of Honour and was a Jubilee Certificate recipient with over 50 years of faithful service. He was also a member of Organising Committees and Chief Drill Adjudicator for several Australian National Band Championships.
David will be sadly missed. His contribution to the banding movement was enormous. Our deepest condolences go to his family and the Tasmanian Bands League with whom he served so faithfully.
Barrie Gott
President
National Band Council of Australia
Australian National Online Festival of Bands (ANOFOB)
The National Band Council of Australia in conjunction with the Band Association of NSW will be conducting the inaugural Australian National Online Festival of Bands (ANOFOB) instead of the Australian National Band Championships which were to be held in Newcastle over Easter 2021. The NBCA would like to encourage all eligible bands to participate in this event under the conditions outlined in the press release which can be accessed by clicking here.
This festival will provide an opportunity for bands to submit for adjudication video recordings of them playing a sacred item, single own choice major work, on stage march or own choice concert item (or any combination of these four items).
The festival is all about participation, providing bands with purpose for rehearsals through these times as we attempt to return to our usual high standards, making great music together rather than fierce competition for trophies and titles.
A Message from the President
Hi all.
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
Notice of Cancellation - Australian National Band Championships
Hello again everyone.
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 National Contest to be held in Perth at Easter will not proceed. We are well aware of the amount of preparation that 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:
