$10,000 in prize money is proving to be a strong incentive for bands competing at the first Australasian Open Festival.

The "Yamaha Australasian Open Championship" and "York Australasian Entertainment Championship" take place at Tweed Heads 25 and 26 October.

Registrations

To date, 220 individuals have registered on-line as members of the Federation of Australasian Brass Bands (FABB), and are soon to be issued with personal identification cards, in readiness for the weekend of competition.

Variety

Each of the seven competing bands have submitted their Entertainment programs. The variation in repertoire is exciting, with no one item of music being repeated. FABB Chairman, Rick Casagrande said, "It is obvious the bands and Musical Directors have given their programs a great deal of thought."

Quality

The organisers are looking forward to the Test, Music for Battle Creek (Sparke), which will be performed by the bands to determine the "Yamaha Australasian Open Champion". Speculation on the standard of the bands under the FABB registration system has been running high.

The Bands

Brisbane Brass, Australia
Brisbane Excelsior, Australia
Footscray Yarraville City Band, Australia
Woolston Brass, New Zealand
St. Mary’s Band Club, Australia
Waitakere City Brass, New Zealand
Warringah Concert Brass, Australia

The "Yamaha" Australasian Open Championship (test) will commence at 1.30pm on Saturday and the "York" Australasian Entertainment Championship will commence at 1.00 pm on Sunday.

The Sunday Entertainment Championship is open to the public. Tickets can now be purchased from the Twin Towns Club https://www.twintowns.com.au/scripts/ResTIXi.exe?P1=SHOW_EVENT&P2=240

For more information on the event go to www.fabb.com.au