Australian Concert Bands

Totally agree mate! I know that we are working towards that ourselves!

I think I told you Ben, with the demise of Cliffy at South Pacific and the band apparantly going downhill (been told only) I signed with a B Grade band and they assure me they are playing in this years NSW State and also the Nationals next year. So I won't be competing in your grade, that's of cause if you don't win C Grade again. Win it and you may be shoved up a grade.

City of Sydney Wind Ensemble will not be contesting the Nationals this year but I believe we are looking foward to the Sates. At our recent AGM it was voted to change the our name. It is now Sydney Wind Symphony.

Lets hope there will be lots of Concert Bands for the natioanls in 09 which will be held in Sydney.

This year I think is extremely disappointing for concert band entries. Our band is unable to represent themselves in the band divisions so a few of us are travelling over to compete in solos and party competitions to make up for it. It will be sad to go to the Friday competition with so few concert bands entered. But it is even more disappointing to see not one interstate band in the A grade and very few over the whole competition. Even worse is the prospect that the Canadian junior B Grade band faces in not having any competition in their section. Unfortunately, news of this travels so I hope this doesn't put off international bands avoiding our national competition because of a history of disinterest.

The good thing about Nationals in Sydney is that it is a more accessible centralised city so hopefully many of the bands will choose to travel there, also on the basis that the BANSW seems to be more pro-concert bands than other states in previous years and seem to working harder at promoting the concert band competition. I am pleased that this forum has begun to discuss the ongoing issues of poor scheduling and the history of inequality and the BANSW is rectifying these issues for 2009.

Unley Concert Band is planning on competing in 2009 (fingers crossed) so there will be at least one interstate concert band there! And with several very strong NSW competitors likely to be in many grades, it should hopefully be a good competition. I just encourage more individual players to participate in the solo competition. Not only is it fantastic for developing your own musicality and technical skills but its a great way to promote your band. And I would really like some competition next year. Please anyone who is even mildly proficient on Bb Clarinet, enter the solo competition cos I would love to hear someone else play.

Looking forward to meeting the few of you that will be in Brisbane in 2008 for ANBC, especially on the Friday.

Nicole

OK - so we know the entries are down. Now let's cut to the chase: who's going to win? Why? What is being played?

Jubey

Just got an email with the following info

"the A Grade Contest is being broadcast live on the net at www.themusicpage.com

Starts Saturday with Hymn & Test at 3.15pm and the Own Choice and March on Sunday from 2.45pm"

Cheers