25 Years of Achievement for KBB Music Festival

26-29 August, KBB Music Festival Performances, Auckland Town Hall
1 & 2 September Gala Showcase Concerts, Auckland Town Hall

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the KBB Music Festival, formerly known as the Auckland Secondary Schools Band and Orchestra Festival. Established in 1983 to encourage music in schools, the festival has grown into the largest regional music event in New Zealand.

On its silver anniversary, the KBB Music Festival will feature performances by 119 music groups from over forty Auckland secondary schools between 26th and 29th of August at the Auckland Town Hall. “I’m sure the first organisers would not have been able to imagine how huge the event would be 25 years down the line,” says David Squire, Chairperson and Administrator of the KBB Music Festival.

A highly-anticipated annual event, the KBB Music Festival features adjudicated performances by secondary school Concert Bands, Jazz Bands, Symphony Orchestras and Chamber Orchestras throughout the greater Auckland region. More than 3,000 students will perform this year.

Part of the Festival’s success is its adjudicators who provide vital feedback for each group. This year’s adjudicators are Tom Rainey (Jazz Bands), Stewart Stanbridge (Concert Bands), Anthony Ernst (Symphony Orchestras) and David Garner (Chamber Orchestras).

From its humble beginnings playing in schools halls, the four day event is now held in the professional acoustics of the Auckland Town Hall. “Having the Festival at the Auckland Town Hall was a big break through,” says Peter Goddard, a founding member and organiser. “Not only was it more convenient with multiple performing venues, it also made the festival more prestigious."

In more recent years the festival was renamed the KBB Music Festival. The decision was made by the independent committee to honour KBB Music’s long-time support of the Festival.

“I believe the biggest value of festival like this is to show pupils and teachers alike what heights it is possible to aspire to,” says Alan Kemp, KBB Music Managing Director. “I’m proud that KBB Music has been involved for the last twenty years of those 25."

In 2006 the KBB Music Fringe Festival was introduced, giving novice groups an opportunity to perform and receive an onstage workshop from an experienced clinician. With the aim to provide encouragement and constructive feedback for better music-making, ten groups will be performing in the Fringe Festival on Friday 29th August.

The success of the KBB Music Festival is undeniably a testament to the festival committee and main sponsors. “I would like to pay homage to the KBB Music Festival committee, both past and present,” says David Squire. “And especially the sponsors at KBB Music and The Edge Public Programmes for their vision and passion in helping to make these festivals happen."

The KBB Music Festival will conclude with two Showcase Gala Concerts by the best groups selected by the adjudicators on the 1st and 2nd of September at the Auckland Town Hall.

The public are welcome to attend all performances during the week at the Auckland Town Hall, which are free admission, and may purchase tickets to the Showcase Gala Concerts from The Edge Ticketing Service on 0800 BUYTICKETS ($15 general admission for each concert, or $20 for both concerts).

ENDS

Note to Editor

Schools involved in the 25th KBB Music Festival

Albany Junior High School
Aorere College
Auckland Grammar School
Avondale College
Baradene College
Bethlehem College
Birkenhead College
Botany Downs Secondary
College
Carmel College
Diocesan School for Girls
Edgewater College
Elim Christian College
Epsom Girls Grammar
School
Glendowie College
Glenfield College
Howick College
Kelston Boys High School
King's College
Kristin School
Long Bay College
Lynfield College
Macleans College
Manurewa High School
Marist College
Mt Roskill Grammar
School
Northcote College
Orewa College
Pakuranga College
Pinehurst School
Pukekohe High School
Rangitoto College
Rosehill College
Rosmini College
Sacred Heart College
Sancta Maria School
Selwyn College
St Cuthbert's College
St Kentigern College
St Mary's College
St Peter's College
Takapuna Grammar
School
Westlake Boys High School
Westlake Girls High School
Whangaparaoa College

Adjudicators of the 2008 KBB Music Festival

_ Tom Rainey – Lecturer at University of Canterbury, Director of Jazz at CPIT. Jazz Bands
adjudicator.

_ Stewart Stanbridge – Itinerant music teacher, Director of Waikato Academy of Music.

Concert Bands adjudicator.

_ Anthony Ernst – Artistic Administrator of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

Symphony Orchestras adjudicator.

_ David Garner – Principal Cello of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Chamber
Orchestras adjudicator.

2008 KBB Music Festival Dates

Tuesday 26 August Concert Band & Jazz Band performances (Free admission)
Wednesday 27 August Concert Band & Jazz Band performances (Free admission)
Thursday 28 August Symphony & Chamber Orchestra performances (Free admission)
Friday 29 August KBBMF Fringe Festival (Free admission)
Monday 1 September KBB Music Festival Showcase Gala Concert for Concert Bands &
Jazz Bands (Tickets $15 for one concert, or $20 for both,
available from The Edge Ticketing Service or 0800 BUYTICKETS)

Tuesday 2 September KBB Music Festival Showcase Gala Concert for Symphony & Chamber Orchestras (Tickets $15 for one concert, or $20 for both, available from The Edge Ticketing Service or 0800 BUYTICKETS)

Website: www.kbbmusicfestival.co.nz

© Scoop Media