The National Concert Band Festival of the UK

ncbf invites fine North American bands to feature alongside UK bands - Easter 2010 in Birmingham! Additional performances in London

NATIONAL CONCERT BAND FESTIVAL

Since its modest beginnings over 20 years ago, ncbf (National Concert Band Festival) has developed and grown in size and prestige until now it is recognised as the largest, most active, enterprising Festival for wind instrument musicians who play in wind bands or big bands throughout the UK.

The Festival is held in a different city of the United Kingdom every year. In 2010 it will be held in Birmingham.

The National Concert Band Festival stages the final performances by several bands from around the UK after having participated in regional festivals during the preceding year (representing over 5,000 musicians in total). The Festival is a non-competitive, yet an adjudicated event. Each band receives written and aural (taped) comments on its performance and is evaluated individually as opposed to being compared to the other participating bands. Each ensemble receives an award plaque (Bronze, Silver or Gold) based on its own respective performance.

The two-day Festival is packed with exciting performances of both wind band and big band programs.

Bands from North America will be welcomed in the festival’s International Class.

The well-known international conductor Geoffrey Brand (chairman: ncbf) says: “This festival is the life-blood of bands in the UK and has produced more quality performances each and ever year – it is a hobby for life that allows musicians of all ages to pace one another on the road to excellence.”

Clarinettist & tutor at the Royal College of Music, Charles Hine (chairman: BASBWE Education Trust) comments: “Participation in this festival is the high-point in a bands season and reflects the most worthwhile activity a festival can offer.”