NBCA President Honoured
The current NBCA President Mr Robert Bedwell has received an honorary Medal (OAM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia as announced by Australia’s Governor General.
Robert, who has served the band world in various state and national positions, was given a citation as follows:
Mr Robert Anthony BEDWELL
For service to the community through the Central Coast
Concert Band and to mentoring young musicians.
The NBCA executive and Councillors join with the band community in congratulating Robert with this recognition received.
Canberra City Band Releases Their History
A new book detailing the history of the Canberra City Band has been recently released to the public. Written by William Hoffmann OAM and John Sharpe the work highlights the unique place in Australia’s history this long serving group has forged from its earliest days as Ben Chiffley’s baby to the current day.
Established in 1925, the Canberra City Band is believed to be Australia’s oldest community concert band. It was formed as a brass band for the workers constructing the federal capital and became Canberra’s official band supported by Prime Minister Ben Chiffley.
The book is a fascinating and interesting read to both band people and history buffs alike and contains some wonderful facts and stories that will fascinate the reader. It depicts the history of some marvellously dedicated people who have made a significant contribution to the life of Australia’s national capital. A wonderful read and a book of real significance.
Copies can be obtained via the band’s web site www.canberracityband.com
2014 Yearbook Posted
The NBCA contest regulation changes which were approved at the July annual conference have been posted in the revised 2014 NBCA Yearbook which will be applicable at the 2014 National Championship to be held in Brisbane over the Easter weekend in 2014.
While the alterations are mainly administrative in nature it would be advisable for band administrators and secretaries to familiarize themselves with the requirements that apply when submitting entries for bands and soloists for 2014.
The alterations adopted came about after much consideration by state bodies and debate by Councillors at the Brisbane conference and are designed to resolve issues that have become apparent in recent times. A wider explanation of the adopted changes can be ascertained by consulting the 2013 conference minutes which are also posted here.
Annual Conference in Brisbane Minutes Posted
The NBCA AGM and annual conference which was held in Brisbane on July 19th to 21st proved to be a busy time for the Councillors and executive.
The election of the executive, with the retirement of President Kevin Cameron and Vice President Geoff Fry OAM, resulted in Robert Bedwell being appointed as President and David Peters being appointed to the office of Vice President for the next two years. Robert and David bring a great deal of experience to the positions and their appointments were met with suitable acclaim by the Councillors.
The conference received a detailed report from the hosting committee of the Perth 2013 Championships and the Council extended warm congratulations on the successful staging of an excellent event.
A detailed report was also presented on the preparations for the 2014 Championships to be held in Brisbane.
Motions presented at the conference from State bodies were debated at length with a result that some changes have occurred to the regulations that govern the Championships. These are detailed in the conference minutes now posted on the web site and will be included in the alterations and additions in the 2014 Yearbook which will be posted to the NBCA website shortly.
Call for Nominations to the NBCA Executive
The National Band Council of Australia advises that nominations from interested persons are now being received for the position of President and Vice President 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 via their state body.
Nominations and all inquiries should be directed to the Executive Officer and all nominations MUST be received by the close of business on Friday, 5th July 2013. Nominations received after this date will be rejected in line with the NBCA's Constitution
All nominations received will be considered by the Council at its AGM as part of the annual conference to be held in Brisbane from Friday, 19th July to Sunday 21st July.
Nominations should comply with the NBCA rule 14 in particular 14.6.1 and 14.6.2.
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
Perth Results Posted
The complete results for the Perth National Contest have now been posted in the Archive area for reference.
The 2013 National event proved to be everything that was expected and more with the excellent venues at the University of WA. The Parade of Bands through the Northbridge area 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 Perth 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. Let’s hope it is not another 34 years before Perth hosts another event.
Queensland 2014 Committee Launch Website
The 2014 Queensland Contest Committee have continued their preparations for the Australian National Band Contest with the launching of their website. The site already provides information and detail regarding the 2014 event and will be expanded as further details are finalised.
The site can be viewed at the following link:
http://www.nationalbandchampionships.com/
New Awards for Perth Contest
Two band stalwarts - Mike Butcher and Robert Bedwell - are to be honoured in Awards
The National Band Council of Australia has decided to inaugurate two new perpetual trophies for awarding initially at the Perth contest. The awards are for the Open Champion of Champion and Junior Champion of Champion in the Concert Band Solo’s section.
“The Council is pleased to name the Open Champion soloist trophy the Mike Butcher award and the Junior soloist trophy the Robert Bedwell award,” NBCA Executive Officer, Allen Woodham stated. “It is pleasing to have these trophies commissioned to recognise two incredible people within the band movement and also to give concert band soloists the same level of achievement as their brass colleagues.”
NBCA President Speaks with Brasszone
The President of the NBCA, Dr Kevin Cameron, recently spoke with Andrew Stone from Brass Zone on a range of issues reflecting on his observations as the chair of the organization.
Of particular interest are the comments on the subject of player and band registrations for the national contest and the increasing difficulty for committees in staging the national contest as costs continue to spiral particularly for venue availability. Organizing Committees are being challenged greatly by the increasing costs which can reach upwards of $60,000 for venues for the national contest.
Dr Cameron praised the extensive preparations that have been achieved for the 2013 national contest to be held in Perth which should ensure an excellent event for the banding community. The University, situated on the Swan River, is easily accessible and the performance auditoriums are superb. The Parade of bands venue is similarly an excellent area, in the city, with street cafes that will ensure a relaxed area for the bands to perform. “I would encourage bands to make the effort to come to Perth,” the President remarked.
The interview can be viewed in its entirety here:
http://www.brasszone.net/players-people/166-guarded-summation-from-nbca-president
