The third Australasian Open Brass Festival organised by the Federation of Australasian Brass Bands (FABB) welcomes ten bands to the Twin Towns Clubs and Resort next weekend, 22 — 24 October.
Chairman of FABB, Ric Casagrande said: "We thank the bands from around Australia, New Zealand and Japan for showing substantial belief in our Festival and welcome them to what is shaping up to be an exciting weekend of music and camaraderie."
The Bands
This years competition includes strong representation from the 'in form' bands across Australasasia.
We thank the bands from around Australia, New Zealand and Japan for showing substantial belief in our Festival and welcome them to what is shaping up to be an exciting weekend of music and camaraderie.FABB Chairman, Ric Casagrande
"We warmly welcome several first time attendees including Osaka Harmony Brass (Atsuhiko Okamoto) from Japan, Boroondara Brass (Danny van Bergen) and South Brisbane Federal (Ben Crocker) who are looking to take home some of the $10,000 prize money in either the Yamaha Australasian Open or the Yamaha Australasian Entertainment section."
Recently crowned NSW Champions, Gunnedah Shire Band (Jason Katsikaris) will be defending the Entertainment title it won last year. Similarly, Kew Band Melbourne (Mark Ford) return to the FABB Festival arena to defend the Australasian Open title.
2008 Australasian Open winners and current NZ Champions, Woolston Brass (Graham Hickman) are welcomed back, along with current Australian Champions, Brisbane Excelsior under the musical direction of high-profile UK conductor, Richard Evans.
Other bands entered include 2010 Victorian Champions Footscray-Yarraville (Phillipa Edwards), current QLD Champions Brisbane Brass (Jon Christodoulides) who last year impressed in the Entertainment section with a second placing, and St Marys Band Club who have been steadily improving in form under the direction of Matthew van Emmerik.
A Night at the Opera
A star-studded line up of 12 international solo artists from Australia, New Zealand and Japan will perform Arias from some of the world’s most recognised operas — Pagliacci, The Barber of Seville, Euridice, Carmen, Madam Butterfly and more.
The Night at the Opera Soloists are:
* Dave Barker, Melbourne
* Steven English, Sydney
* Kevin Hickman, Christchurch NZ
* Phil Johnston, Christchurch NZ
* Kyle Lawson, Wanganui NZ
* John Lewis, Dunedin NZ
* Dominic Longhurst, Sydney
* Brian McGuinness, Sydney
* Atsuhiko Okamoto, Japan
* Steve Ridler, Brisbane
* Paula Russell, Brisbane
* Matthew van Emmerik, Sydney
The Test
For 2010, the FABB has commissioned Swiss Composer, Ludovic Neurohr, to compose the test piece "Spells of a Deep Forest".
The Adjudicators
Well respected UK music publisher, musician and adjudicator, David Horsfield will collaborate with the composer of the test, Ludovic Neurohr to adjudicate the Yamaha Australasian Open Championship event.
Joining them on Sunday to judge the Yamaha Australasian Entertainment Championship will be Yamaha Music Australia Product Manager, Stephen Moschner.
On Saturday night, Professor David King and David Horsfield will judge "A Night at the Opera".
SCHEDULE
Friday 22 October
7.30pm Opening Function
Saturday 23 October
12 noon The Yamaha Australasian Open Championship (Test)
7.30pm A Night at the Opera
Sunday 24 October
12 noon The Yamaha Australasian Entertainment Championship
Ticketing
A Night at the Opera and the Yamaha Australasian Entertainment Championship are separate ticketed events being promoted by Twin Towns Clubs and Resorts.
For tickets go to http://www.twintowns.com.au/showroom.html
Entry to the Yamaha Australasian Open Championship (Test) on Saturday afternoon is free.
Registrations
Registrations are currently being finalised and bands are encouraged to ensure all players have active registrations.
Space permitting, FABB registration ID cards will also provide admission for the cardholder to the Yamaha Australasian Open, Night at the Opera and Yamaha Australasian Entertainment events.
The registration ID cards will be distributed to bands at the Opening Function on Friday evening, and will also be available for collection at the registration check-in desk on Saturday by those not playing with any band.
