National Secondary Schools Brass Band

A very strong field of candidates was auditioned for the 2011 National Secondary Schools Brass Band.

The full list of the successful 2011 candidates is available as a pdf.
That course will be at Brightwater, 20-26th of October, 2011.

2010 National Secondary Schools Brass Band

Photos from 2010: playing music, and fun on the challenge circuit.

Overview

The Band is selected by taped auditions, and convenes in Christchurch in October for a week-long Camp where they rehearse for concerts. In addition, there are electives such as Sound Recording and Drum-major.

The concept of a National Secondary Schools Band was first developed by noted conductor Nigel Weeks with input from a number of people including former BBANZ Executive member Ian Levien. Nigel was the Band’s first Musical Director and carried the baton until 2005. Other’s who have contributed in the early years include Simon & Alex Kerwin with Jennifer Carey in the inaugural management role. The New Zealand Army Band has in the past contributed tutors to the course.

The Band is formed from students at New Zealand secondary schools, or their equivalent.

Role of the Band

The bands purpose is

to provide students with the opportunity to pay in a band under the direction of some of New Zealand’s leading musical directors and brass teachers
to receive tuition from leading music teachers
to provide the opportunity for students to extend their musical knowledge and appreciation.
to provide students with the opportunity to network with other students with a common interest
to provide a stepping stone towards the National Youth Band and National Band of New Zealand.

An appreciation of how well this is delivered may be seen by reading the pages covering last years Annual Course. (Navigation: above, right.)

Sponsorship & Funding

The Band has received funding in recent years from the Lion Foundation and the Ministry of Education. However there is a course fee charged which is to cover the costs of accommodation and travel. The course fee is set by the BBANZ Executive for each course. A number of other sponsors have also assisted in funding this most worthwhile endeavour.

Management

The Brass Bands Association of New Zealand appoints sufficiently skilled and qualified people to organize and manage the annual course. The Managers, like the Musical Directors are contracted for two years. The course is conducted under Ministry of Education guidelines for purposes of management and supervision. Risk Management Plans and attendance rules are put in place prior to the running of each course.

The Managers for 2011 BBANZ Executive member Rob Wilson with Directors of Music Nick Sharpe and Mick Dowrick of Nelson City Brass.

Band Directors

1999 to 2004 : Nigel Weeks
2005 & 2006 : Simon Kerwin
2007: David Bremner and Mark Carter
2008 & 2009 : Graham Hickman and Dwayne Bloomfield
2010 & 2011: Nick Sharpe and Mick Dowrick

Band Size

The size of the band will depend upon the resources available for the running of the course. Prospective members will be auditioned for positions in the band.

Location

While the Band was originally established in Auckland, other centres to host the band are Wellington and Christchurch. The criteria for the location of the annual school are based upon the facilities & resources required to run the course.

It is not regularly hosted in any one locality, but Teapot and the support of Nelson Brass Band make Brightwater a good base.

Timing

In recent years the band has been convened during August and has run from Thursday to Tuesday during the school term. The reason for holding it during the school term is to allow the band to perform in schools as part of the course. While holding it in August is not ideal timing for the purposes of weather, this timing has was established to fit in with other banding activities with minimum impact on funding resources due to competing events or calls on funding.

Brass Band Association of New Zealand