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 This section has now been withdrawn and will be addressed at the 2011 conference in Melbourne.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.
Geoff Fry Awarded OAM
Recognition of Service
The above well-known Queensland banding identity was given the prestigious award for his outstanding service to banding at all levels over many years.
It’s not too often that members of the banding movement in Australia receive the public recognition which they deserve so it is very pleasing to see that Geoff Fry from Queensland was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the 2010 Australia Day honours list.
Geoff has been a well-known drum major, drill adjudicator, member of the QBA Executive and the Queensland councillor on the NBCA for many years.
He was also one of the driving forces behind the two successful Nationals which Queensland has hosted in recent years and the brass band movement should be proud at this acknowledgement of Geoff’s contribution.
NBCA Considers Change
Change Considered at Annual Conference
The NBCA Annual Conference to be held in Adelaide from July 10th to 12th will consider considerable changes to national contest regulations and procedures.
Delegates and State Governing Bodies have been provided with documents that outline the framework for consideration which emerged from the ‘Think Tank’ conference which was convened in Melbourne last November. The proposals are based on suggestions and agreements that emanated from wide ranging discussions amongst delegates of all the State Governing Bodies and reflect the call for changes throughout the band world generally.
The November 2009 conference considered wide ranging recommendations that were the basis of the plenary paper prepared by NBCA President Dr Kevin Cameron who assessed wide ranging submissions and suggestions from across the band world.
State delegates will now have the opportunity to review and respond to the recommendations and consider supporting the revised frameworks designed to improve the national contest experience and assist with the financial and organizing efficiency of Australia’s premier band event. It is clear that many involved in the Australian band scene desire a nationally uniform registration system across all State Governing Bodies that is seen to be transparent and workable for national contests.
“The issues surrounding player registration across the states is the key issue facing the Australian National Band Championships. We must ensure that all participants attending one of the most significant events on the annual banding calendar do so in the context of transparency and fairness. The NBCA has taken the lead to ensure that this vital aspect is set in place,” said NBCA President Kevin Cameron.
The draft National Registration Regulations and the revised NBCA Contest Regulations are crucial to achieving these immediate objectives, as well as securing the ongoing success of the Australian National Band Championships. Beyond this, there is much for the NBCA to do in terms of promoting the best interests and great qualities of banding to the wider community,” said Dr Cameron. Persons interested in perusing the proposed documents should seek references from and address comments to their state body in the first instance.
Calling All Composers
The National Band Council of Australia (NBCA) seeks expressions of interest from composers.
The Australia Council has made available a financial grant which the NBCA has allocated for commissioning a new work suitable for Brass and Concert Band.
Substantial Work
Expressions of interest are sought for a substantial composition which can be transcribed for both concert and brass band and arranged for varying grades if required.
Competent
While expressions of interest can be submitted by any person who believes they can undertake the task competently, the National Music Consultative Committee would undertake to consult with applicants to determine their suitability to the task and the type and style of work that the applicant has in mind.
The NBCA would like to receive initial expressions of interest from anyone who cares to declare themselves capable of undertaking the task and at this stage, if the person has no profile in this area, requires a short summary of the applicant’s background involving music composition and or arranging skills.
The opportunity is open to anyone to apply and we invite people to do so, initially by 31st August 2009, to
Dr Kevin Cameron Elected as President
The NBCA conference was held over the weekend of July 10th to 12th and saw the election of a new President as departing official Robert Bedwell retired after serving the permitted two terms in the office.
Dr Kevin Cameron was elected as the new President for an initial two year term and pledged to serve the Australian band movement with enthusiasm and vigour.
Geoff Fry Retires
The conference saw the retirement of long serving Councillor Geoff Fry who was presented with a certificate to commemorate his life membership awarded at the 2008 conference in Sydney.
David Peters Elected Vice-President
Mr David Peters, another long serving NBCA official, was also presented with a similar certificate to commemorate his life membership award in 2008 and was elected for a follow up term as Vice President of the Council.
Wendy Martin Retires
Another long serving councillor, Wendy Martin, from Tasmania announced this would be her last conference as she has decided to retire after a long and distinguished period of service in the role.
Best of Ability
After the retiring President expressed appreciation for the dedication and assistance given to him by the executive and council members he expressed a mixture of sadness at leaving the task but also gratitude in being able to serve in the role for the past 4 years.
He challenged all present to remember the fact that they hold their positions to serve the band movement to the best of their ability every way possible.
Foundation for the Future
The incoming President paid tribute to Robert Bedwell and the other above mentioned councillors for their extraordinary service and dedication and expressed a confidence that the knowledge and experience of the retiring members would remain as a foundation into the future.
More details form the conference will be released with the collation of the minutes in due course.
