Following the success of the inaugural Federation of Australasian Brass Bands (FABB) 2008 Australasian Open Festival, plans for the 2009 event and beyond are well underway.
The Date
Next years Festival will fall on the weekend of 23-25 October 2009, the same date as the Labour Day long weekend in New Zealand.
Rick Casagrande said, “I have had so many positive comments from bands people and members of the commercial audience that attended this year that it was imperative that the Festival continue and for it to develop itself further so that bands have an opportunity to play at the highest level.”
The Invitees
...it was imperative that the Festival continue and for it to develop itself further so that bands have an opportunity to play at the highest level.Rick Casagrande, FABB Chairman.
The FABB has revealed the list of invited bands for 2009. They are:
Brass Band Pfeffersberg, Italy (winner Europeans B section)
Brisbane Brass, Australia
Brisbane Excelsior, Australia
Dalewool Auckland Brass, New Zealand
Footscray Yarraville City Band, Australia
Gunnedah Shire Band, Australia
Kew Band Melbourne, Australia
K & N Spring Gully Brass, Australia
Marlborough Brass, New Zealand
Osaka Harmony Brass, Japan
Pelorus Trust Wellington Brass, New Zealand
St Mary's Band Club Brass Band, Australia
St Kilda Brass, New Zealand
The “Trusts” Waitakere Brass, New Zealand
Woolston Brass, New Zealand
Warringah Concert Brass, Australia
Warratah Brass, Australia
Willoughby Band, Australia
Back to 'The Tweed'
The venue, Twin Towns Resorts and Hotels at Tweed Heads on the Queensland New South Wales Border, has been secured again for 2009 whilst a suitable venue in New Zealand is hoped to be found for 2010.
Money, challenge and entertainment
The existing two events, and their substantial prizemoney, will continue as the Australasian Open Champion, determined by a set Test Piece, and the Australasian Open Entertainment Champion, a 30 minute concert programme.
The panel of adjudicators is expected to be announced early in 2009, along with details of the Test piece.
Marching beach style
As well, FABB organisers are looking towards a bigger event next year with the hope that the beach marching event gets off the ground.
FABB Chairman Rick Casagrande said, “Drill adjudicators will not be required as anyone found marching in step may find themselves disqualified”.
Players will only need to bring mouthpieces to this event. Every band will play on the same set of old instruments so that players 'real' instruments may be protected from the salt air environment.
Board shorts and flower shirts will be mandatory uniforms.
Greenmount Beach some 120 metres from the Twin Towns venue will be the location for this event, after which the beach party will start.
Something to look forward to!
Register or renew
Players looking to register or renew their FABB registration for 2009 may do so by going to http://www.fabb.com.au/registration.html
If renewing, proceed directly to step 2.
