Take a collection of some of the finest brass band players from around Australia and then blend in over 60 voices from one of the great male choirs and 'Voila' you have the BRASS & VOICES CONCERT.

This will be the only opportunity people will have to hear the NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BRASS and the SYDNEY MALE CHOIR together in concert this year and one that cannot be missed.

This inspired combination was first heard last year at Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, and clearly the people of Sydney deserve to have the opportunity to hear it also.

The BRASS & VOICES concert will be held in the Uniting Church located in the heart of Sydney at 264 Pitt Street (between Bathurst & Park Streets) on Saturday 17th July 2010 commencing at 2 p.m.

The SYDNEY MALE CHOIR, under the musical direction of Maestro Alan Thrift, renowned for its singing and entertaining is nearing its 100th Anniversary in 2013. This is one of the great male voice choirs anywhere. Through each year, audiences are enthralled at the Choirs's some 30 concerts in Sydney and Country Regional cities, as well as during their interstate and international tours.

The NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BRASS is an elite band group selected from the finest brass band players from around Australia. Musical Director, Professor David King, is regarded in the UK and Europe as one of the great brass band conductors of the world and currently resides in Australia conducting the National Australia Brass concert season.

Tickets are at the one price of $20 which can be purchased on line at www.sydneymalechoir.com.au or paid for at the door of the venue on the day.

The panel of adjudicators for the 2010 FABB Australasian Open Championship event has been announced.

The well known and highly respected adjudicator from the UK,  David Horsfield, will join Ludovic Neurohr, the composer of the set work, to make up the adjudication team for 2010.

For more information go to www.fabb.com.au/adjudicators.html

Brass Bands are quickly taking up positions for the 2010 Federation of Australasian Brass Bands Festival, also known as "FABB Fest" at Twin Towns Clubs and Resorts Tweed Heads. 

So far, twelve of the twenty-three invited bands have indicated that they will be at the Festival in October.

The following bands have been invited:
Boroondara Brass
Brass Band Limburg
Brisbane Brass
Brisbane Excelsior
Dalewool Auckland Brass
Darebin City Brass - Preston
Footscray Yarraville City Band
Gunnedah Shire Band A Grade
Gunnedah Shire Juniors
City of Holroyd Band
K&N Spring Gully Brass
Kew Band Melbourne
Marlborough District Brass Band
North Shore Brass
Osaka Harmony Brass
Royal Agricultural Society WA Brass
South Brisbane Federal
St. Marys Band Club Band
Alpine Energy Timaru Brass
The Trusts Waitakere Brass
Warringah Concert Brass
Willoughby City Brass
Woolston Brass

This is a major boost to the festival in a year where the financial burden on individuals is already greater through higher domestic interest rates and the general down turn in the economy in some regions of Australia. 

FABB is grateful for the bands who have committed and those who will commit once the May deadline for confirmation approaches.

The extra bands attending the 2010 FABB Fest will make for a far greater atmosphere to the Tweed Heads venue.  The ‘all in one accommodation and Festival venue’ works well for those who attend as the club/resort provides all facilities in-house - not to mention the famous Kirra Beach some 80 metres away.

A Night at the Opera

Saturday evening will see "FABB Fest" trial a new concept.

Twenty of the best soloists available from Australia and New Zealand will each be invited to play an Arias from an Opera or Operetta, in a friendly competitive spirit at FABB Fest's “Night at the Opera” show beginning at 7.00 pm on Saturday 23rd October 2010.

The following soloists have been invited:
David Bremner
Colin Clark
Stephen English
Ashley Gittins
Kevin Hickman
Phillip Johnston
John Lewis
Tyme Marsters
Riki McDonnell
Brian McGuinness
Bruce Myers
Liam O'Malley
Steve Ridler
Paula Russell
Matthew van Emmerik

It is tipped that this inaugural show will become an annual event and will present brass at its best to the show going public.