Published: 22 September 2010

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.

Published: 22 June 2010

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.

Published: 24 August 2009

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Published: 24 August 2009

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.

Published: 16 July 2006

Brief snippets courtesy of President, Robert Bedwell, from the 2006 NBCA AGM and Conference:

• The newly appointed Executive Officer for the NBCA is Allen Woodham (from South Australia).
• The QBA unlimited time limit for the Own Choice for all grades did not get up, nor the deletion of on stage march.
• Dual registration – there is a change here that should satisfy the states in particular who asked.
• Definition of conductor has been modified, however, not ‘open slather’ – it will be anyone who is acceptable within a state governing bodies own regulations/by-laws. For some degree of consistency in registration matters it was felt that all registration matters be the realm of the state governing bodies, until the States decide that a uniform set of National regulations is acceptable to all. This is a possible project for the future should the States be willing to accept it.
• The poaching regulation has been deleted as it is unenforceable.
• The venues for the 2007 National Championships in Ivanhoe were very good. We had to rely on the venue people advising that acoustics were acceptable. There are a number of issues that the VBL has to address with short term target dates that will be monitored stringently.
• The State hosts for the 2008 Nationals will be announced Monday, 3rd July.

This brief release is pending a full report and minutes to be issued by the NBCA in due course.

Robert Bedwell
President
National Band Council of Australia

Published: 28 June 2006

Aussie instrumental wizard appointed Patron of the National Band Council of Australia

On behalf of the National Band Council of Australia I am pleased to announce James Morrison AM as patron of the National Band Council of Australia Inc.

James has established himself internationally as one of the most outstanding instrumentalists of our time.

His feats on trumpet, trombone, tuba, euphonium, saxophone, tenor horn and flugel horn are unrivalled and this has led to his idol status amongst players of all ages.

He has performed regularly with Brass and Concert Bands in Australia and overseas, making him an ideal figurehead for the National Band Council of Australia.

In accepting the appointment James said, “I would consider it an honour to serve as Patron of the National Band Council of Australia. I see community banding as the perfect opportunity for amateur musicians of all levels and ages to enjoy live music making at its very best”.

Robert A. Bedwell
President
National Band Council of Australia Inc.

25th June 2006

Published: 29 December 2005

Brisbane Brass has released a statement concerning the accidental deaths of two of its members in a car accident involving the family of six. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lawrence family during this time of trauma and difficulty.

Published: 15 August 2005

The YBS band has commenced their Australian concert tour. The concert is definitely not one to be missed - you will not go home disappointed. Tour details can be found here. Towards the end of the concert in Perth, Brian Dodds was able to formally welcome the band to Perth (as President of the WABA) and Australia (As Executive Officer and on behalf of the President and members of the NBCA) and give them gifts from both organisations. The gift from the NBCA was a clock with Australian paintings on it and an engraving saying “Presented by the National Band Council of Australia Inc., Perth WA, 12/08/05”.