Editorial ~ 2007 March

New Zealand leads the way as its 2007 National representative band takes shape; and with the Oz National Championships just around the corner, we consider how bands and players can look for a better deal.

New Zealand leading the way

New Zealand are again leading the way in Australasia when it comes to a National representative band.

This weekend, 2-4 March, the National Band of New Zealand Musical Director for 2007-2009, Howard Taylor, and Co-Band Manager, Kevin Dell, will be travelling to four centres across New Zealand to conduct auditions for players.

Auditions are being held in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.  In total there will be 78 players auditioning for a maximum of 28 brass positions. 

Interest from such a large number of players is a powerful indication of the desire to be part of this band, and the fact that the National Band of New Zealand is very well-repsected and is held in the highest regard by players at the top of their game.

Full credit for creating this opportunity for New Zealand players should go to the Brass Bands Association of New Zealand.  The National Band of New Zealand is an icon of banding in Australasia and many years of consistent and effective hard work by the BBANZ executive has led to its success.

The plan for the 2007-2009 NZ National Band is an exciting one.  The band will be touring with James Morrison in September of this year, and a European tour to compete in the World Championships in 2009 is also part of the master plan.  The finance needed to support such ventures is enormous.  Yet, the goals over the years have always been achieved. 

The expectations are that the 2007-2009 goals will also be achieved.  Managers Kevin Dell and Graham Dick are working extremely hard to secure the funding needed for the band to be a success - sponsorships, grant applications, and donations are coming in.

Again, the question on everyone's lips in Australia is, "Why don't we have a National Band?" 

As mentioned in December's editorial, hopes for an Australian National Band had been raised as a discussion paper on the World Brass Band Championships 2009 was presented by Bruce Raymond and Brian Dodds at the Annual Conference in June 2006.  The NBCA minutes state, "Resolved that Bruce Raymond and Brian Dodds to review this proposal and submit recommendations to continue or not by the 30.9.06."  30 September – that was 5 months ago and still we have heard nothing.

Taking bets anyone?

What do you think?
Send an email to: du.comments@4barsrest.com

Ivanhoe

This time next month, the Australian National Championships will be about to kick off in Ivanhoe, Melbourne.

The number of bands and soloists participating has exceeded all expectations.

Contest organisers have a huge task ahead of them ensuring the scheduling and other logistics of running the contest are efficiently and effectively implemented, which can sometimes be a thankless task for those directly involved.

The input and time spent by this group of, generally speaking, volunteers should be recognised and appreciated by those attending the event.  Some of us fail to do this.

At the same time, however, there is a demanding expectation that those who have volunteered to undertake roles and responsibilities on the contest committee actually get it right.  Unfortunately, the truth is, sometimes 'they' don't always get it right, and as a consequence bands and/or players get a bad deal in some way or another.

Our associations are largely non-profit organisations, dependent almost entirely on volunteers to administrate.  Yet, our individual band associations spend thousands of dollars on travelling and competing - attending contests where, either directly or indirectly, we may be victims of those consequences where the contest organisers didn't get it right.  How stupid are we some might say!

What can we do to help ourselves not become victims of incorrect decision making, and still maintain a level a respect and appreciation to those working their bottoms off and in most cases, have the best of intentions and the greater good of banding in mind?

A set of quality controlled standards, protocols and procedures would go a long way to helping contest committees ensure the best deal for all competitors rather than the current system where by each state has its own level of control which varies from year to year as the National's moves from state to state.  At present, there is often repetition of errors and some lack of consistency from one year to the next as the organising committee changes and the ongoing process of review, evaluation and implementation doesn't get opportunity to cycle.

This is where the NBCA could take a more active role in ensuring quality outcomes for all participants. 

Something to aim for perhaps.

What do you think?
Send an email to: du.comments@4barsrest.com

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