A Philip Sparke work gets the nod as the test piece for the inaugural Australasian Open.

The Federation of Australasian Brass Bands (FABB) has informed 4barsrest Downunder that the Test Piece selected for the inaugural Australasian Open Championship will be ‘Music for Battle Creek’ by Philip Sparke.

The Chairman of FABB, Rick Casagrande commented, “I am particularly pleased with this recommendation made by Music Advisor, Professor David King."

"Following the outstanding success and popularity of Sparke’s ‘Music For Battle Creek’ at the Royal Albert Hall ‘National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain’ last October, FABB believe this composition will be equally as popular with both conductors and players when it receives its Australasian contest premiere at the FABB 2008 Australasian Open Championships.”

Brass Music Specialists in Brisbane have copies of the selection available for purchase at competitive rates. Contact Greg Aitken at greg@brassmusic.com.au or phone +61 7 3278 1311.

The Australasian Open Festival takes place at Tweed Heads on the Queensland-New South Wales border on the weekend of 25 & 26 October 2008.

The Music Page will be providing a free live stream of all performances at the English National Brass Band Championships.

Due to unprecedented popularity of the stream from the recent All
England Masters, some users were unable to connect to The Music Page at the time of competition.

Since then, additional server capacity has been added to ensure that there are no problems for the ENBBC.

Videos of performances from the All England Masters as well the 2008
Australian Band Championships are currently available to view on demand on The Music Page.

The live stream will commence tomorrow at 10.30am UK time, or 6.30pm for those 'downunder'.

www.themusicpage.com

Gunnedah Shire Band is preparing for the return home in August of its musical director, Jason Katsikaris, when the band will be giving concerts to coincide with the launch of its new CD "Reflections".

The two concerts will be at Lake Macquarie Performing Arts Centre in Warners Bay on Sunday 3 August at 2pm, and in Gunnedah on Sunday 9 August at 2pm.

Special guest soloist at the Warners Bay concert will be Professor David King on cornet - an opportunity to hear one of 'our own' world class performers that should not be missed.