Brass
Band
Association of New Zealand
National Secondary Schools Brass Band
Applications for the 2013 annual camp
Those wishing to compete for a place in the 2013 camp should download this application form. School music departments will also be contacted. (Mid May.)
Report on the 2012 annual camp
The 2012 camp was held in Rotorua, 11th - 17th October.
The venue was the Keswick
Convention Centre, Holdens Bay.
(If Lake Rotorua is a clock, it's at 4 pm)
A report
on the camp by Musical Director Alan Spence is available.
This details activities, and lists not only who was in the various
houses, but the winners of trophies.
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 also contributed tutors to the course.
The Band is formed from students at New Zealand secondary schools, or their equivalent.
Purpose of the Band
- 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 year's Annual Course. (above)
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 Manager
for
2012 is BBANZ Executive member Rob Wilson. Director of Music
is
Alan Spence of Eastern Bay of Plenty Brass (and HoD Music at Trident
Hisgh School), assisted by tutors Kerry Garrett, Mason Elliot and Steve
Chapman.
- 2012: Alan Spence.
- 2010 & 2011: Nick Sharpe and Mick Dowrick
- 2008 & 2009 : Graham Hickman and Dwayne Bloomfield
- 2007: David Bremner and Mark Carter
- 2005 & 2006 : Simon Kerwin
- 1999 to 2004 : Nigel Weeks
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 have been Wellington, Nelson 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. Due
to associated
activities such as playing in schools and other venues, there is a
reasonable bias for the course to be run near to one of the principal
organisers of the course. ("near" in NZ terms. Say, 50 km.)
Timing
In recent years the band has been convened sometime between August to October 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. The timing was established to fit in with other banding activities, with minimum impact on funding resources due to competing events or calls on funding.
©2007
BBANZ