Steven Mead has not long touched down in Australia where he will be the Chief Adjudicator at this weekend's National Championships in Brisbane.

After the 19 hour trip from the UK, Steve was soon at work with a day's teaching at the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in Perth, before going on to enjoy a workshop with his wife Misa with Canning City Band.

He then left from Brisbane where he will enjoy a weekend of adjudicating, where the Championship will use his criteria based method.

Criteria system

Steve told 4BR: "I'm happy that the Australian National Championship is willing to use my criteria system this year across the sections.

I will be meeting fellow judges from the other sections of the competition on Thursday evening where we go through all the protocols, but I sincerely believe that this is a positive step and will give transparency and more objectivity to the marking process.

Naturally, I'm very keen to hear feedback from all the bands after the event."

I'm happy that the Australian National Championship is willing to use my criteria system this year across the sectionsSteven Mead.

Melbourne and Adelaide

Following the Championships he will then give a masterclass at Brisbane City Temple and a teaching day at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.

It's then onto Melbourne and Adelaide for further exciting rehearsals, masterclasses and recitals before a relaxing day at the famous wine-making Barossa Valley before the couple return to the UK.