The Australasian Open
WHAT IS IT?
The Yamaha FABB Australasian Open Festival, also known as "FABBFest", is an annual Brass Band Competition for the best bands and bandsmen and women from Australia, New Zealand and throughout the Asia Pacific region. Invitations and or qualification requirements for organizations are set out below under a specific heading. This contest is as much for high profile players in non competing bands as it is for those in bands that have been invited.
This contest is designed not to compete with either of the existing National Competitions in Australia and New Zealand. It is hoped that this contest will go a long way to assist in the strengthening of both National and regional/state contests in both countries.
The initial contests will be pilot studies for the future involvement of lower grade bands.
WHERE IS IT HELD?
The contest is held at Twin Towns services club, Coolangatta on the Tweed Coast which is the coastal boarder between Queensland and New South Wales.
Twin Towns has all the facilities of both performance venue and accommodation for all the invited bands. The venue has many eateries, bars, local entertainment and over looks the Tweed River and is less than 80 metres from the famous Kirra Beach.
Twin Towns Services Club is also located within 3 kilometres of Coolangatta airport which services all major Australian Cities as well as New Zealand.
http://www.twintowns.com.au
WHEN IS THE EVENT?
Held annually, the FABBFest usually coincides with the New Zealand Labor Day weekend in October. However, in 2012, FABBFest has been forced to cancel by the Twin Towns management.
WHO IS THE EVENT HOST?
The Federation of Australasian Brass Bands Pty Ltd (FABB) is a private company. The company has a board of management that includes highly experienced and skilled musicians and administrators. Board members are unpaid.
The company will operate on a not-for-profit basis with all or any profits being put back into the event so that it may grow in the future.
WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE COMPANY?
The objectives of the company are quite simple in that the company wishes to reignite Brass Bands to the wider community by ensuring that the highest standard of musical performance is achieved and delivered.
The anointing of the Australasian Champion bands is important but purely a byproduct of the Company’s main objective. The rules or lack of contesting rules is designed purely to assist in the achievement of the main objective.
HOW WILL THE OBJECTIVES BE ACHIEVED?
The musical event consists of two sections.
The first section, the Yamaha Australasian Open, consists of one test piece for all bands.
This is followed by a 30 minute concert/entertainment program on the following day, recorded in High Definition for possible use as a televised event, to promote public appeal.
Bands produce a themed 30 minute program including at least one brass soloist. Adjudication is open. The winner of the solo prize will get an auto entry to the Keller International Soloist of the Year event. Whilst slow melodies are welcome, to be considered for the Keller placing, the organizers of the Keller event recommend soloists at FABB to play a non-slow melody. FABB will sponsor the winner to the Keller by way of airfare and accommodation. It is the intention of FABB, that the Keller representative be a resident of Australasia. Should the solo prize go to a non-resident of Australasia, a Keller representative will be chosen separately.
Each event has its own trophy and title. That is:
Yamaha Australasian Open Champion; and
Yamaha Australasian Entertainment Champion
Each are of equal importance and carry a winners purse of AU$5,000.
Bands are required to submit detailed programs in themed style to the organizers so that no one item is repeated.
WHO CAN QUALIFY?
Individuals:
Whilst bands are the primary qualifiers to the event, bands are not able to be members or shareholders in the company. Bands must nominate their playing personnel from individuals who are registered with FABB and hold a FABB identification card.
As no permit players are allowed in the contest’s operating rules (unless an injury on the day of the contest), players who consider themselves to be able to play at the required level may wish to register with FABB in the event that bands may need extra players.
The player list has an individual’s player music profile and contact details, and is accessible here. Bands are able to source players from the FABB database right up until Friday prior to the contest.
For the Australasian Open Championship, a maximum of thirty (30) brass players plus percussion is allowed.
Bands:
Bands are invited to attend the contest at the sole discretion of FABB, but bands who are placed in the top 4 at either the National Band Championships of Australia or New Zealand and present themselves to play at their regional contest are considered as top contenders.
A band not attending its own regional or state contest is viewed as a negative point when considering a bands invitation. Due to the variation in dates of contests across the Tasman, bands that are placed in the top 4 at the New Zealand National contest in the preceding year are also considered to allow those bands maximum preparation time for fund raising. The leading Japanese brass band is considered to 'qualify'.
The Board of Directors for FABB also reserve the right to create invitations to bands from any location that it believes deserves to be represented at the contest.
