National Music Festival 2009

Saturday 28 March

Chandlers Ford Methodist Church, Hampshire

The Association's third national BB/GB Music Festival will be held at Chandlers Ford Methodist Church on Saturday 28 March 2009.

The Festival has continued to explore and expand and there a number of new categories based on the comments received and therefore we will hope to hold classes not only in the established sections but build on the newer classes of unaccompanied solos and solos with CD accompaniment. We hope that these classes will be attractive to the individual as well as established groups within Brigade Activities. It is also hoped for members coming together for this Festival will have opportunity to continue and carry forward any new musical relationships into the future.

The syllabus is now available by clicking here

The entry form is available here as a Word document or PDF

All entries should be sent to the Admissions Secretary below and entrants are advised to order any music from your local music shop early enough to avoid disappointment. If you have any enquiries or difficulties please contact the Admissions Secretary.

Admissions Secretary:
Alicia Jenkins – 34 Bramble Hill, Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire, SO53 4TP
Email: BBGBfestival@live.co.uk 

Final date for receipt of entries is: Sunday 11 January 2009
Final date for receipt of performer’s music titles is: Sunday 15 February 2009

The 2008 Music Festival

The second national BB/GB Music Festival was held at Chandlers Ford Methodist Church. Participants came as far as Doncaster to be involved. There was local GB involvement as well as ourselves.

The Festival, although non-competitive, encouraged the individual as well as the team to perform to their highest standard. And performances were clear, concise and communicated to the audience. bridging the gap between technical ability and artistic nuances achieve very creditable results.

There were 44 entries in five class groups: brass, woodwind, keyboards, mixed instrumentals and voice. Entries were fielded by Junior section and Company section groups to form choirs as well as 'brigade friends' from different companies coming together to put forward an entry. It was encouraging that entries had increased by 38% on the previous year and it is hoped that the number of entries will significantly increase again for next year.

The adjudication was provided by a well known local musician, David Edwards, who has an established background in the music industry. His expertise and professionalism was put across with positive enthusiasm and was a joy to hear. 

The broad marking range for participants was:

The results were very encouraging and all faired very well:

For the 'best of classes' the adjudicator had the discretion to award cups and trophies to entrants who are awarded the following levels of attainment: Highly commended; Distinction or Honours.

The results for the 2008 Festival were:

After a successful Festival it is anticipated that this will continue. 28 March 2009 has been set aside and the venue is likely to be Chandlers Ford Methodist Church. It would be encouraging if this could be put in your diary and that companies take part as fully as possible. 

We hope to widen the scope to include more types of instruments. If there are suggestions then please pass them on to us. We anticipate publishing the syllabus in Summer 2008.

The 2007 Music Festival

The first National  BB Brass Band Association Music Festival was a new venture for us since we were previously involved (particularly the brass) in the BB National Brass Band Contest.

Participants came from as far afield as Doncaster to be involved. There was also local BB and GB involvement from around south Hampshire.

The Festival, although non-competitive, encouraged the individual as well as the team to perform to their highest standard. Performances which are clear, concise and communicate to the audience, bridging the gap between technical ability and artistic nuances, achieve very creditable results.

There were 34 entries in three class groups: brass, woodwind and voice. Entries were fielded by Junior section and Company section groups to form choirs as well as 'brigade friends' from different companies coming together to put forward an entry.

The adjudication was provided by two musicians: Simon Morgan and Simon Pontin, who have established backgrounds in the music industry. Their expertise and professionalism was put across with positive enthusiasm and was a joy to hear. 

The broad marking range for participants was:

The results were very encouraging and all faired very well:

For the 'best of classes' the adjudicator had the discretion to award cups and trophies to entrants who are awarded the following levels of attainment: Highly commended; Distinction or Honours.

The results for the 2007 Festival were:

The singing particularly was interesting as we had BB Junior Section and a Company Section choir formed to enter.

We had a good day of music endeavour and fellowship, and another resounding success for the Boys' and Girls' Brigade.