The Federation of Australasian Brass Bands (FABB) provide an update on this years Yamaha Australasian Open Brass Festival (also known as FabbFest), being held at Cooloongatta, Queensland, 28-30 October, 2011.
The Performers
Bands competing this year for the title of Yamaha Australasian Open Champion and Yamaha Australasian Entertainment Champion are:
Boroondara Brass (Danny van Bergen), VIC
Brisbane Brass (Ian Wilson), QLD
Brisbane Excelsior (Paul Andrews), QLD
Footscray-Yarraville City Band (Phillipa Edwards), VIC
Glenorchy Brass (Howard Taylor), TAS
Gunnedah Shire Band (Jason Katsikaris), NSW
Kew Band Melbourne (Mark Ford), VIC
North Shore Brass (Colin Clark), New Zealand
South Brisbane Federal (Dylan Troyahn), QLD
St Marys Brass (Ben Crocker), NSW
Warringah Concert Brass (John Saunders), NSW
Suzume Youth Band
Saturday evening's special event this year is entitled "Brass on Broadway" and will feature 2011 Special Guests — the Suzume Youth Band (SYBB) from Japan.The SYBB was formed by its conductor Mr. Teruo Yabuuchi in 1981 and in 2011, SYBB celebrates its 30th anniversary.
Brass on Broadway
A selection of Australasia's finest brass soloists will perform some of the the best stage and screen musical classics. Brass on Broadway soloists are:
Ken Bradley (Tuba)
Phil Johnston (Tuba)
Jamie Lawson (Cornet)
Kyle Lawson (Cornet)
Dominic Longhurst (Cornet/Flugel)
Riki McDonnell (Euphonium)
Matt Pankhurst (Tuba)
Rosie Pearce (Horn)
Paula Russell (Cornet)
Matt van Emmerik (Euphonium)
The FABB is also pleased to announce that Lee Martelli, world class accompanist from Auckland, will be teaming with the soloists for the evening.
The Adjudicators
Russell Gray, Bill Broughton and David Gallaher have confirmed their availability and will be the adjudicators for the three featured events.
Biographies can be found at http://www.fabb.com.au/index.php/the-yamaha-australasian-open/adjudicators
Host
Adding a boost of professionalism and fun this year will be John McGough from New Zealand — well known professional entertainer, compere and brass artist.
Test Music
The Federation of Australasian Brass Bands has announced the selection of Psyche as the FABB 2011 Test Piece.
Composed in 2008 by Swiss composer Ludovic Neurohr as a commission from National Australia Brass Ltd, Psyche received its premiere at the Melbourne International Festival of Brass.
Ludo Neurohr studied composition with Professor Peter Graham at the University of Salford and completed his Masters degree in 2008. His ‘Spells of the Deep Forest’ commissioned by the Federation of Australasian Brass Bands was first performed at FABB in 2010.
Registration
All individual performers (including conductors) at FABB Fest must register.
Administrators, supporters and the general public are also invited to become members of FABB. Registration entitles the card ID holder to free unreserved admission to all events at FABB Fest.
http://www.fabb.com.au/index.php/registration
SCHEDULE
Friday 28 October
7.30pm Opening Function and Draw
Saturday 29 October
Commencing approx 12 noon — 2011 Yamaha Australasian Open Championship
7.30pm Guest Band Suzume Youth Band (Japan)
8.30pm Brass on Broadway (Soloist event)
Sunday 30 October
Commencing approx 10am — 2011 Yamaha Australasian Open Entertainment event
Tickets
This year, the Yamaha Australasian Open, Brass on Broadway, and the Yamaha Australasian Entertainment Open are separate ticketed events being promoted by Twin Towns Clubs and Resorts.
For promotional information and tickets go to:
http://www.twintowns.com.au/showroom.html