Editorial ~ 2006 May

A bit of controversy. Australian Nationals success. What happened to A Grade?

How about some controversy?

Several readers have told us that they would like more opinion, conjecture and even controversy from us on 4BR Downunder. Over the last 12 months, we have stepped fairly cautiously with our editorials, comments and general approach to reporting of band news, happenings and developments; mostly because of some negative reaction and a few precious banding characters. In fact, we were told by one party that they were considering legal action over an editorial!

Our preview for the recent Australian Band Championships was largely constructed from answers to standard questions we posed to Musical Directors. Some readers were disappointed – expecting more from us – suggesting that we should offer our own opinions and assessments about the bands and the expected outcomes of the contest.

Clearly we have opinions, and sometimes these opinions would be subject to criticism. Remember this classic exchange from the movie 'A Few Good Men'?

Col. Jessep: You want answers?
Lt. Kaffee: I think I'm entitled.
Col. Jessep: You want answers?
Lt. Kaffee: I want the truth.
Col. Jessep: You can't handle the truth!

Whilst not suggesting that we would be so provocative in our discussions as to offend people, we could challenge thinking and pose some curly alternatives to the banding status quo.

Maybe it's time for us to up the ante a bit. Should 4BR Downunder be a little more challenging and controversial? Are we too precious, or can our movement 'handle the truth'? What do you think? Send us an email: downunder@4barsrest.com

What makes an Australian Nationals contest a sucess?

Let's see: great music, top adjudicators, central location, top class facilities, incomparable and smooth-running organisation, terrific camaraderie, excellent promotion, positive financial result – in short; everything that went into the 2006 Brisbane contest!

Now the challenge is squarely at the feet of the 2007 Nationals hosts – the Victorian Bands' League. Can the VBL equal or better the stunning contest organised by the Queensland Band Association? The most recent VBL contest – Geelong 2002 – was a financial failure. Not that the success of a National contest should be necessarily measured in financial terms, but will the VBL embrace the accomplishments of the QBA and learn from their organisational triumph?

The location selected for the 2007 Nationals is Ivanhoe. Let's ponder that for a moment. Ivanhoe is not in the City of Melbourne – but it's not far out – about 10kms north-east of the Melbourne CBD. This is yet another location for the Melbourne contest. Do we really need to keep attempting new locations? What's the matter with Melbourne Town Hall – the acoustic I hear you say – fair comment. What about Robert Blackwood Hall at Monash University – stunning venue that seats 1,598 people – maybe a little overkill, particularly given the small audiences experienced in Brisbane. What about Hamer Hall at the Victorian Arts Centre – a bit on the expensive side?

Is it not possible for the VBL to determine an ideal central location that meets all the criteria for a successful contest? Maybe Ivanhoe is the answer!

Some of the most successful contests around the world are built on stability and tradition: Cambridge, Birmingham, Grieghallen (Bergen, Norway), Albert Hall and Brisbane City Hall.

Apparently the NBCA has a 'franchise' package for the Nationals – a toolkit for the quintessential National contest, developed over decades of experience? How detailed is this package? What do we really know about previous Nationals events; audience numbers at each section, accommodation and transport costs for attending bands and soloists?

The benchmark has been established by the 2006 Brisbane Nationals contest. What advice do you have for the VBL as they plan the 2007 contest? Send us an email: downunder@4barsrest.com

What happened to A Grade?

Um, where did those top bands come from?

The 2006 Australian National contest has produced a whole new standard in A Grade. Although seventeen bands competed in A Grade, the range of performance standard was clearly not one grade.

So, what is A Grade? At the Gala Concert, I posed the blunt the question to A Grade adjudicator Garry Cutt: "Don't tell me what you think I want to hear – tell me really where our bands sit in relation to the UK?" His answer was "The top three bands would definitely be in Championship section in the UK – particularly the performance of Music of the Spheres".

The State and District Associations determine the grades. Should the criteria be consistent? What formulae are used to assess a band's grade? What do you think about grading? Send us an email: downunder@4barsrest.com

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