Regulation Changes Posted
The NBCA contest regulation changes which were approved at the July annual conference have been posted in the revised 2013 NBCA Yearbook which will be applicable at the 2013 National Championship to be held in Perth over the Easter weekend in 2013.
While the alterations are mainly administrative in nature it would be wise for secretaries to familiarize themselves with the requirements that apply when submitting entries for bands and soloists for 2013.
The alterations adopted came about after consideration by state bodies and debate by Councillors at the conference and were designed to resolve issues that had become apparent over time. A wider explanation of the adopted changes can be ascertained by consulting the conference minutes which are also posted here.
AGM & Conference Minutes Posted
The minutes for the NBCA AGM and Annual Conference held in Perth on July 20th to 22nd have now been posted to the NBCA Web Site.
Some changes/updates were approved to the Contest Regulations which will be gazetted in the 2013 Yearbook which will be available on 1st September for download from the Web Site.
Preparations for the 2013 National Band Contest to be held in Perth were presented to the Council and illustrated the excitement already building for what will be an iconic event for everyone involved.
Executive Officer Recognised for Service
The Executive Officer of the NBCA, Mr Allen Woodham, was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list on 11th June 2012. The citation stated the award was for services to music, particularly through band organizations and for service to the City of Mount Gambier.
Allen is well known in the city for his arranging of the Blue Lake Brass Band Festival for many years and for his involvement in the Lions Club and other community groups. The Executive and Councillors of the NBCA congratulate Allen on this achievement.
NBCA Conference in July
The NBCA AGM and annual conference will be held in Perth from July 20th to 22nd to consider arrangements for the National Band Championships to be conducted over Easter 2013 in the city. This will be the first National Championships to be held there for some 33 years and already expectation is building that the 2013 event will be an exciting spectacle.
Councillors will discuss various issues emanating from the recent Melbourne contest and consider what, if any, changes/updates are required to the contest regulations.
Robert Bedwell Honoured for Service
Mr Robert Bedwell was recently recognised for his outstanding contribution to the world of performing brass and concert bands by his induction as a life member of the National Band Council of Australia.
Robert, a former President of the Council, has contributed to the world of performing bands over a long and dedicated period with his guidance and leadership within the world of the military, education and music administration generally.
His leadership and direction guided the National Band Council for many years in various roles and assisted greatly in advancing the activity of community banding throughout Australia.
Robert was nominated for life membership at the Council’s AGM in June and this was recently recognised at a function of the Band Association of NSW, where Robert also held the position of President for some time.
The NBCA executive and councillors have much pleasure in announcing that Robert has accepted this award which recognises an extraordinary service to the band movement generally and the Council in particular.
Allen Woodham
Executive Officer
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 Council’s constitution.
Nominations should be directed to the Executive Officer and all nominations MUST be received by the close of business on Friday, 10th June. Nominations received after this date will be rejected in line with the NBCA Constitution.
All nominations received will be considered by the Council at its AGM as part of the annual conference to be held in Melbourne from Friday, 24th June to Sunday, 26th June.
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
Executive Officer
NBCA Revise Regulations
Following a legal appeal over the adoption of changes to the contest regulations by NSW the NBCA has issued an update to the contest rules as posted to its web site in the revised 2011 Yearbook.
The dispute centred around the legality of the new Section 4 regulations to be applied to the 2011 National Contest. This section has now been withdrawn and will be addressed at the 2011 conference in Melbourne.
“Contesting Bands will experience no difficulties as the registration formalities will be the same as in previous years”, Executive Officer, Allen Woodham stated. “This action will now provide an opportunity to ensure overseas and permit player requirements can be further clarified as it is not the intention of the NBCA that overseas permit players should be excluded from the National Contest.”
Parade of Bands
The Parade of Bands event will be conducted under the guidance of the regulations implemented at the 2010 conference and posted on the NBCA web site with the exception that the ‘change of direction’ will NOT be adjudicated at the 2011 contest.
“While these decisions may appear to be late in the day it has been a lengthy and difficult situation to resolve as lengthy discussions have been undertaken to seek a solution that was acceptable to all parties involved. It is always difficult to reach consensus when change is involved and we look forward to further clarification from delegates at the 2011 conference,” Allen stated.
Significant Changes
The NBCA President Dr Kevin Cameron has issued a statement highlighting the changes that occurred at the July 2010 conference in relation to regulations governing the Australian Band Championships.
The plenary paper that was issued in 2009 formed an extensive part of the discussion, debate and eventual resolutions which now form the basis of operation for regulations at future championships as outlined in the 2011 Yearbook.
There were other changes adopted at the conference in relation to playing time limits, solos and adjudicators which are highlighted in the President’s statement.
The Council is also pleased to announce that Yamaha Australia and the NBCA have signed a three year sponsorship agreement for the National Band Championships for 2011, 2012 & 2013.
The details of all of these matters can be studied in the President’s report and in referral to the documents Dr Cameron mentions.
Playing for Keeps
Playing for Keeps: A Paper on Community Banding by Dr Kevin Cameron
(Published in the MCA Music Forum, Vol. 156, No. 3, May-July 2010)
Brass and concert bands have long had an important place in community music making in Australia.
Kevin Cameron examines the origins and progression of community bands, the place of community music in the wider arts environment, and discusses the difficulties encountered by community music organisations in accessing funding support, particularly in South Australia.
Read the entire article here.
