Music Festival Alumni for 30th Anniversary Celebrations

5 August 2013

Music Festival Alumni Sought for 30th Anniversary Celebrations

One of the country’s biggest youth music festivals will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this month. To help inspire the next generation of young musicians, the Festival Committee would like to hear from previous participants who are now well-known for their endeavours or careers; musical or otherwise.

People such as alumnus Henry Wong Doe, international piano soloist and Assistant Professor of Piano at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Henry played baritone saxophone for the Auckland Grammar School Big Band in 1990-1994.

“The Festival is recognised for the quality of the music that students perform,” says Dr. Trevor Thwaites, Chairperson of the Festival. “This is a reflection of the commitment of both the students and their teachers.”

The Committee hopes to create commemorative artwork incorporating alumni photos, schools, successes and year(s) of involvement in the Festival for the purpose of inspiring current players at this year’s Festival. If you are, or know of any Festival alumni, please get in touch by emailing admin@kbbmusicfestival.co.nz

The 2013 KBB Music Festival Honours Orchestra will also form part of the celebrations. This special orchestra gives students from all participating schools the rare opportunity to come together collegially to rehearse and perform “Jupiter” from Holst’s The Planets – one of the largest works in the standard repertoire. The orchestra will be conducted by David Kay, a regular guest conductor with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Some Festival alumni may also wish to be involved in the Honours Orchestra.

3,500 students from 48 Secondary Schools in the greater Auckland region and beyond have entered this year’s KBB Music Festival to be held on 19-25 August. 131 Concert Bands, Jazz Bands, Symphony Orchestras and Chamber Orchestras will assemble to give free public performances in the Holy Trinity Cathedral and the adjoining St Mary’s Church.

Formerly known as the Auckland Secondary Schools Band and Orchestra Festival, the festival was renamed the KBB Music Festival in recent years to honour the long-time support of its principal sponsor, KBB Music, who is also celebrating their 125th Anniversary this year.

“We firmly believe in the importance of supporting our musical community and playing our part in fostering the musical future of this country,” says Paul Skipper, Director of KBB Music. “We are proud to be involved with the KBB Music Festival over the last twenty-three years.”

The KBB Music Festival will culminate to two highly-anticipated Gala Concerts featuring the best groups selected by the adjudicators. The 2.30pm Gala Concert will feature Chamber Orchestras and Concert Bands, while the 6.30pm Gala Concert will feature Symphony Orchestras and Jazz Bands.

“Whether you attend as a performer or as a listener, you will come away invigorated and inspired by the musicianship and exuberance of all participants,” says Dr. Thwaites. “It is through these performers that we can be assured of a quality musical future for New Zealand in the years to come.

Tickets for the Gala Concerts are available from www.ticketmaster.co.nz or at the door. $15 General Admission for each Gala Concert, or $25 for both Gala Concerts.

2013 KBB Music Festival Dates
19-23 August - KBB Music Festival Performances, Holy Trinity Cathedral and adjoining St Mary’s Church.
Open to the public. FREE admission

25 August - KBB Music Festival Gala Concerts, Auckland Town Hall, THE EDGE
Tickets $15 General Admission for each Gala Concert, or $25 for both Gala Concerts

2013 KBB Music Festival Adjudicators
Jazz Bands – Roger Manins & Mike Booth
Chamber Orchestras – Greg Squire & Michael Joel
Symphony Orchestras – Joe Harrop & Ben Zilber
Concert Bands – Billy Middleton & John Snowling

2013 KBB Music Festival Honours Orchestra
Formed for the 30th Anniversary Celebrations, the Honours Orchestra is a group of student musicians who will come together on Friday 23 August to rehearse from 4:30pm to 7pm, then perform “Jupiter” from Holst’s The Planets at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. The Planets is one of the largest works in the standard repertoire, and the full original version will be performed. The Orchestra will also play “Kiwi” from Forest Sketches by New Zealand composer David Woodcock. All participating music departments were invited to nominate students of grade 6 standard or higher on Orchestral or Concert Band instruments to take part. This is an opportunity for all contributing schools at the Festival to come together collegially for a large scale performance of the sort that very few musicians would have the opportunity to participate in during their lifetime. The group will undertake an intensive rehearsal of the work, followed by a free performance for parents, teachers and the public at 7pm.

www.kbbmusicfestival.co.nz | www.kbbmusic.co.nz

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