NZCBA Festival has been held since 1986. It is an annual event which provides performance opportunities for concert bands, ensembles and soloists, along with workshops/clinics to educate, stimulate and upskill band musicians and conductors.
It is an event where concert band members can join with other similarly minded musicians and immerse themselves in concert banding for a whole weekend. It is a great social and networking experience, and we encourage bands to stay for the whole event to make the most of the opportunities provided.
The event is a festival rather than a competition. Bands, ensembles, and soloists are adjudicated and given constructive feedback on their performances. At the end of the weekend, they are awarded gold, silver, or bronze plaques or certificates based on the report rubric NZCBA provides the adjudicators, where the focus is on making beautiful music whatever the grade of the repertoire, rather than degree of difficulty.
We also offer workshops of various sorts and All-Comers Festival Band for ‘musical orphans’ who would like to play!
Festival is usually held in a different city or town each year. All bands are welcome, including non-members and overseas bands, school bands and community bands.
NZCBA Festival 2023 Auckland will be held at Westlake Girls High School August 4 – 6.
