FABBFest 2011 kicks off today at the at Twin Towns services club, Coolangatta on the Tweed Coast — on the coastal boarder between Queensland and New South Wales.
Workshops
Today, Professor David King will be holding workshops with the visiting guest band from Japan, the Suzume Youth Band, and the Adrienne, Lady Stewart Bursary students — Kyle Lawson, Dominic Longhurst, Todd Smith, and Mitchell Spence, otherwise known as the "FABB 4".
Opening
The official opening function commences at 7.30pm in the Stars Lounge where the draw for the events to be held over the next two days will take place.
Yamaha Australasian Open Championship
This is our fourth year running the festival, which gives bands from all over Australasia a chance to compete and share a passion for doing what they love...Rick Casagrande, FABB Chairman
Saturday will see the 11 bands from Australasia compete for the Yamaha Australasian Open title.
Psyche
The test music this year was written by one of the most exciting new composers of brass music today — Ludovic Neurohr. "Psyche", commissioned by Professor David King for National Australia Brass, is proving to be very popular with the bands.
Demanding in so many ways, performance highlights are expected to be many — particularly the soprano players who will be challenged to their limits.
The piece is close to 20 minutes in length which will prove an added challenge for the event organisers to keep the day running to schedule.
The competing bands 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
Adjudicators
Holding firmly to its belief on the use of a panel of adjudicators, the FABB management have enlisted the services of Russell Gray, Bill Broughton, and David Gallaher — an extremely well respected team of individuals with a diverse range of experience and expertise.
Brass on Broadway
Saturday evening will be a real treat for all. The Suzume Youth Band from Japan, conducted by Teruo Yabuuchi, will open the evening, followed by "Brass on Broadway".
Ten of Australasia's finest soloists will perform pieces from Broadway musicals. The soloists are:
Ken Bradley (Tuba)
Phil Johnston (demonstrating the Yamaha Neo Bb 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)
Lee Martelli from Auckland will accompany the soloists.
A particular treat will be the solo performance from the musically gifted Ashley Gittins, demonstrating the brand new Euphonium released by Yamaha.
"Neo Brass" will make its Australasian debut. Russell Gray, Paula Russell, Rosie Pearce, Greg Aitken, Ashley Gittins, Stuart Bent, and Phil Johnston make up the group — many displays of brilliance are guaranteed.
Yamaha Australasian Entertainment Championship
The Yamaha Australasian Entertainment Championship takes place on Sunday. Bands will perform a 30 minute themed concert program. Early indications suggest the quality and variety of performances will be at the highest standards ever seen at a brass festival in Australasia.
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.
Media coverage
Media will be out in force with Tim Kelly from brassbanned.com running the streaming coverage, Rob Kavanagh from brasshub.com providing live commentary and opinion, and 4barsrest.com bringing you the results.
Further, there has been extensive local media coverage leading up to the weekend so high audience numbers are expected.
SCHEDULE
All times are QLD time.
Friday 28 October
10am — 4pm Bursary Program (FABB 4 + Suzume Youth Band)
7.30pm Opening Function and Draw
Saturday 29 October
12 noon 2011 Yamaha Australasian Open Championship
7.30pm Guest Band Suzume Youth Band (Japan)
8.30pm Brass on Broadway (Soloist event)
also featuring Yamaha guest artists: Ashley Gittins, Russell Gray and Neo Brass
Sunday 30 October
10am 2011 Yamaha Australasian Open Entertainment event
approx. 6.30pm Results and Presentation Ceremony
From the Chairman
Rick Casagrande, Chairman and founder of FABB said, "This is our fourth year running the festival, which gives bands from all over Australasia a chance to compete and share a passion for doing what they love.
Bands have embraced the concept of connecting with the community, and I am honoured to be able to provide the opportunity for them to do this...And what a better place to come together and compete than the beautiful Gold Coast!”
The best
With over $10,000 in prizemoney up for grabs, the Yamaha FABB Australasian Open Brass Festival attracts the best. Combine this with the absolutely gorgeous location, the 'all under the one roof' (stage, bars, restaurants, & accommodation) concept, and the relaxed yet fair operational procedures of FABB, the weekend is sure to be a corker!
