‘The Trusts’ Waitakere Brass has donated around 50 original sets of band music to Waratah Brass Band.

Last June’s floods were devastating for Waratah, with the band losing its entire library of music and incurring thousands of dollars of damage to equipment.

Waratah Band president and Tuba player Grahame Scott visited New Zealand last week and took the opportunity to attend a Waitakere rehearsal, where the music was officially gifted to the band.

Waitakere Brass’ Musical Director Steven Booth played with Waratah at the Australian National Championships in Brisbane last month and commented: “The band has overcome a lot in the past few months with the floods destroying their bandroom, instruments, music and whole history.  Hopefully this music can go a little way to rebuilding the band’s library".

The three adjudicators for the inaugural Australasian Open have been released. 

Steve Bastable, Barrie Gott, and Kenneth Young have confirmed their availability and will be the adjudicators for the Australasian Open, being held at Cooloongatta, Queensland, 25 & 26 October, 2008.

More information on the adjudicators can be found at www.fabb.com.au/adjudicators.html

The Australian Brass Band community is to be internationally represented by a new musical initiative, National Australia Brass Pty Ltd (NAB).

National Australia Brass has been formed by its Director, Professor David King, following a personal letter received from the Artistic Director of the World Music Concourse Kerkrade Foundation, Mr Harrie Reumkens, extending an invitation for a National Band under David King’s direction to represent Australia at the World Music Concourse in July 2009.

Collaboration

The formation of National Australia Brass by Professor King has been initiated in consultation with the Federation of Australasian Brass Bands (FABB) and in collaboration with the Melbourne International Festival of Brass (MIFB).

Shared Objectives

National Australia Brass will operate independently yet with the expressed purpose of underpinning shared objectives that align with the Federation of Australasian Bands (FABB). These core domestic objectives include promoting brass banding at the highest level within the wider community and nurturing public awareness of the Australian brass band movement.

Administration Officer

Amanda Casagrande has been appointed Administrative Officer for National Australia Brass. This role will incorporate the development and initiation of administrative infrastructures associated with profiling NAB at community, national and international level.

Vision and unique profile

Amanda commented:

“National Australia Brass aims to expand the global recognition of Australia’s brass band heritage as an internationally profiled musical ensemble uniting leading brass musicians as ambassadors for Australia at the highest artistic level of attainment.

Professor King will provide global representation for and on behalf of National Australia Brass and will, as an ambassadorial figurehead, provide the Australian community with the benefit of his vision and unique personal and professional musical profile.”