In its early years, the Ohio Brass Arts Festival (OBAF) served as a pre-NABBA (North American Brass Band Association) contest preparation for many bands. The first festival only had 5 bands at a high school auditorium. Guest Artists such as Helen Tyler (then Fodens Band), Mark Bousie (then Fairey Band) and Charles Couch (Cleveland Orchestra) were brought in to perform master classes.

Many in Ohio are familiar with the saying, “Time and Change will surely show…” Now in its sixth year the festival has moved from it’s recent home at The Ohio State University, to the newly constructed Northland Performing Arts Center. The festival’s average audience has tripled in size over the years and plans to continue growing in the future. As current OBAF executive director, Andrew Seymour describes it, “Rather than being a set of concerts, OBAF has become a real event!”

This Year’s Line-Up
This year’s Ohio Brass Arts Festival will feature approximately 10 bands. Not only are these bands known throughout Ohio, but nationally and internationally too, including:
•TBDBITL Alumni Band — who performed at the Durham (England) Miner’s Gala last summer
•The Brass Band of Columbus -10 time NABBA Champions
•The Dublin Silver Band — winner of the U.S. Open Brass Band Championship Most Entertaining Prize, 3 of the last 4 years
•The host, Central Ohio Brass Band — winners of the NABBA 1st section title 4 of the past 5 years, and represented NABBA at the Butlins Brass Festival in Skegness, England in 2011

Eclectic Mix
With the success of the New Orleans brass band “Bonerama” last year, OBAF invited local group “New Basics Brass Band” to close the evening. OBAF founder, Dr. Patrick Herak, describes the event, “There will be some groups performing serious contest music, but there will also be bands like TBDBITL, Scioto Valley Brass & Percussion Co., and the Dublin Silver Band putting on their most entertaining programs, the Salvation Army affiliated groups will deliver a more traditional and spiritual program, and New Basics closing the festival with a New Orleans brass band feel. It is one of the most eclectic mixes a brass band fan can see.”

New Venue
The change of venue is meant to inspire a more festive feel. Not only is there plenty of free parking, but bands on stage will be projected on an enormous 10 foot x 30 foot screen in the lobby area by the vendors. Andrew Seymour shares his excitement, “Having such an intimate theatre, yet the more informal lobby with vendors, food and beverage should make it a fantastic day out to enjoy some good brass playing.”

OBAF Eve
As in past years, OBAF continues to sponsor a composition contest to support new music for the brass band repertoire. On Friday Eve of the main festival, all brass players are welcome to come (free of charge) and read through the six finalists for the composition contest, which has been quite internationally accepted. Herak states, “It is not only a great opportunity to help support new music, but to bring musicians together to share a common love of the brass band genre. Many of the International composers that have won during the first five years of the composition contest are now quite well known in brass band circles. Here’s hoping we can get a domestic winner!”

Promoting Brass
The Central Ohio Brass Band’s (COBB) mission is to “promote the Brass Band tradition through excellent artistic and educational performances for musicians and communities.” This year’s OBAF introduces two new competitions, promoting COBBs mission. The first competition is the OBAF Youth Solo Competition. High School brass players who have received a ‘I’ (one) rating at District Solo and Ensemble contest are invited to compete for this award. There are cash prizes for both first ($100) and second ($50) place. Seymour explains, “There are so many talented high school brass players, some of which are playing in the bands at the festival. The OBAF committee believes it’s very important to not only support these young players, but expose them to a community of brass players that they may wish to continue playing with even after high school.” Herak elaborates, “It’s really an opportunity to promote life-long learning”.

The other new competition is the awarding of the OBAF Cup to the band that has the best performance of a slow melody. Seymour explains, “The tradition of brass banding is rooted in the march, solo, slow melody and contest piece. The most fundamental of these is the slow melody. This year, we will be awarding the first OBAF Cup, to the band with the best performance of a slow melody.” The VERY large cup will be a traveling award and the winning band will also receive $200.00.

Winning Formula
An eclectic mix of bands, a great new venue, and a hint of competitive spirit should make this 6th annual Ohio Brass Arts Festival the best yet. Herak exclaims, “During the first few years the event took shape and grew, Andy and the committee took it to a new level last year for the 5th anniversary. In 2012, with the new venue, the great mix…I can’t wait until March 23rd. It’s going to be even better!”

More information for the festival (include how to order tickets online) can be found at http://centralohiobrass.org/obaf.htm