The second Australasian Open Brass Festival organised by the Federation of Australasian of Brass Bands (FABB) event will welcome seven bands to the Twin Towns Club and Resort next weekend, 23 - 25 October.

Chairman of FABB, Ric Casagrande said: "We thank the Bands from across four states for choosing to attend what is going to be a very exciting weekend of music."

"We warmly welcome several first time attendees including K&N Spring Gully Brass from Adelaide (Bruce Raymond), Gunnedah Shire Band (Nigel Weeks) and Kew Band Melbourne (Mark Ford) who are looking to take some of the $10,000 prize money home in either the Australasian Open or the Australasian Entertainment Open section."

Other bands entered are recently crowned NSW Champions Warringah Concert Brass (John Saunders) who impressed in the Entertainment section last year with a second placing, and St Marys Band Club (Paul Terracini) who were third in the Open Championship (Test) in 2008.

Much anticipation will surround the appearance of Footscray and Yarravile City Band who will take to the stage on Saturday to play the Test under the musical direction of the most successful conductor in Australian brass band history - Ken MacDonald. Regular MD Phillipa Edwards will then lead the band on Sunday in the Entertainment Championship.

Meanwhile Brisbane Brass return under the musical direction of Jon Christodoulides to be the only Queensland representative.

The Voice of Metal

Another event not to be missed is "The Voice of Metal" - the concert by National Australia Brass under the direction of Professor David King on Saturday evening.

"The concert will feature some wonderful new commissions as part of the programme," says Chairman Ric Casagrande, "and we hope that the event is well supported given the calibre and quality of the musicians involved."

Composers and Conductors Forum

In keeping with the philosophy of new ventures, the Australasian Band Composers and Conductors (ABC) Forum initiated by FABB Musical Advisor, Professor David King, and being presented by the Qdos Institute of Musical Arts, has attracted attendees from across Australian and New Zealand.

The ABC Forum for both composers and conductors directed by Professors David King and Peter Graham takes place on Friday 23 October.

With only a couple of places remaining, further information and bookings can be found at http://www.fabb.com.au/ABC_Booking.html

Ticketing

This year, the Australasian Open, The Voice of Metal - National Australia Brass, and the Australasian Entertainment Open are separate ticketed events being promoted by Twin Towns Clubs and Resorts.

For tickets go to http://www.twintowns.com.au/showroom.html

Registrations

Registrations are currently being finalised and bands are encouraged to ensure all players have active registrations.

Space permitting, FABB registration ID cards will also provide admission for the cardholder to the Australasian Open and Australasian Open Entertainment events.

The registration ID cards will be distributed to bands at the Opening Function on Friday evening, and will also be available for collection at the registration check-in desk on Saturday by those not playing with any band.

http://www.fabb.com.au/registration.html