Published: 10 April 2015

The 2015 Centenary of ANZAC contest, held in Sydney over the Easter weekend, has seen bands from across the country celebrate their culture and friendship in a marvellous spirit of togetherness. The special music compositions commissioned for the event were well received and performed with passion and precision by the various bands who obviously worked hard and strove to give of their very best as the message of ANZAC was pictured vividly within the various compositions.

ANZAC commemoration ceremonies were held in the halls each day to remember those who served with bands providing the bugle calls and the reading of the Ode was undertaken by the NBCA’s Executive officer.

Although the weather intervened and prevented the Parade of Bands and dedication service from happening this did not dampen the enthusiasm and excitement that unfolded on the stage during the weekend. Large crowds attended each event such that halls were closed at times as crowds exceeded capacity at some presentation events.

The event clearly illustrated the passion and dedication that community banding injects into Australian life with the preparation of the organizing committee over so many months and the long hours expended by the dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly for the competitors and visitors.

Live streaming of the event was hugely successful as people watched across the world to see the best of Australian banding and enjoy the creations of some of the countries most talented composers.

There is little doubt thoughts will now be reflected on what the 2016 contest will bring in Adelaide.

Full result details can be found in the archives area of the web site.

Published: 01 September 2014

New details for the 2015 National Contest in Sydney have been released.

The Schedule for the 2015 contest has now been released and is available on the contest web site here.

The Approved March List for the ‘On Stage March’ has now been revised to a single list for both Brass and Concert Bands. The intent is to avoid confusion and give bands the flexibility of playing marches that can be chosen from the combined approved march list.

The 2015 Yearbook (contest regulations) has now been released. This publication details the regulations that govern the 2015 contest.

Both the Yearbook and the March List can be accessed from the Downloads section here.

Published: 10 July 2014

The NBCA AGM and Annual Conference which was held in Sydney on 21st to 22nd June proved to be a busy time for the Councillors and the NBCA Executive.

The conference received a detailed report from the hosting committee of the Brisbane 2014 Championships and the Council extended warm congratulations on the successful staging of an excellent event.

A detailed report was presented on the preparations for the 2015 Championships to be held in Sydney. This promises to be an iconic event with celebrations marking the centenary of ANZAC as a major feature.

As usual matters raised at the conference from all the State bodies were debated at length. It was again a busy couple of days for the Councillors and officials as they illustrated their passion and dedication to Australia's band movement.

The minutes for the conference have now been posted to the Management Downloads area and can be viewed here.

Published: 01 July 2014

NBCA Vice President David Peters has been awarded a Medal in the Order of Australia. The award was announced in the June 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honour’s list and recognizes David’s long and sustained service to music and the band community.

David’s contribution to the band community as a drill instructor, band leader and a long adviser to the NBCA and the movement generally has been invaluable and exemplary for many years and this award recognizes the uniqueness and dedication of David’s long contribution. The NBCA joins band people across Australia in congratulating David on this prestigious award.

Published: 01 July 2014

At the NBCA conference in Sydney on June 20th to 22nd the opportunity was taken to photograph the gathered four who have been awarded an OAM (Medal in the Order of Australia) in recent years. Present were current NBCA President Robert Bedwell OAM; NBCA Executive Officer Allen Woodham OAM; NBCA Vice President David Peters OAM and NBCA recent Vice President Geoff Fry OAM. In comparing notes it was discovered that while each of these awardees have served the NBCA for long periods their respective award citations were quite varied in describing the award.

It must be quite a unique situation to have four people who have been given this unique citation serving within the one organization at any one time. Congratulations were extended to the four individuals by the gathered NBCA Councillors as they enjoyed an evening together after a day-long conference which continued the next day.

Published: 06 May 2014

Initial details for the 2015 Australian Band Championships have been announced with the release of Newsletter No. 1 by the NSW organizing committee.

Following the Parade of Bands, planned to be held in Hyde Park North, a Commemoration and Wreath Laying Ceremony will be held, with the assistance of the Australian RSL (NSW Branch), at the ANZAC Memorial, Hyde Park South. This service will be a special time to remember those community band members who paid the supreme sacrifice on active service and those who have since passed away.

New Music Commissioned

In honouring our members and in commemorating the Centenary of ANZAC eight new works have been commissioned by prominent, proven Australian composers as Test Pieces for each of the Open Band grades using aspects of the commemoration and the spirit of ANZAC as the inspiration for their works. Further details of the early arrangements for this iconic event can be researched here.

Published: 28 April 2014

The National Band Contest in Brisbane has come and gone with bands and soloists reflecting on their performances over the Easter weekend.

As usual bands in all grades, both brass and concert, found the set tests to be extremely challenging as they presented their efforts to the various adjudicators. Every band rose to the challenge in their own way and the diversity of interpretations gave listeners much enjoyment and led to much discussion as opinions were shared. This was evidenced in comments by adjudicators as they spoke about the performances and generally praised the standards of performances by bands at all levels.

This contest continues to be the epitome of Australian banding and showcases the very best in application, dedication and togetherness that groups of musicians can produce both on the stage and in the street as music is made for the joy of doing so. Attending bands illustrated their passion and dedication in expending large sums financially to travel to these events and they spend countless hours polishing their performances. This was certainly reflected in what was evidenced over the weekend in Brisbane.

Add into the mix the very long day with scores of soloists performing across many categories and Australian musicians gave of their very best across five very busy days.

The event was hosted by a busy group of volunteer people from the Queensland Band Association Nationals Committee and the NBCA who dedicated long hours to ensure every competitor enjoyed their involvement.

Next year the National Championships moves to Sydney and once again Australian Bands and soloists will gather to let their music shine at Australia's largest community band gathering.

Published: 25 April 2014

The National Band Council of Australia advises that nominations from interested persons are now being received for the position of Executive Officer of the Council as outlined in the NBCA's constitution.

Interested persons seeking to contribute to Australia's band world are encouraged to seek nomination for this position.

Nominations and all inquiries should be directed to the current Executive Officer and all nominations MUST be received by the close of business on Friday, 13th June 2014. Nominations received will be considered by the Council at its AGM as part of the annual conference to be held in Sydney from Friday, 20th June to Sunday, 22nd June.

Nominations should comply with the NBCA Rule 14 in particular 14.6 and the nominee should acquaint themselves with Rule 16 which details the duties of the position. These rules can be referenced in the constitution which is available from the Downloads area of the NBCA web site.

Allen Woodham OAM
Executive Officer