in England Perform at the The National Concert Band Festival of the UK ncbf invites fine North American bands to feature alongside UK bands April 6-15, 2010 Additional performances in London e n g l a n d
National Concert Band Festival Table Of Contents Festival... 1 Destination... 2 Highlights... 4 Program... 5 Package Details..................... 9 Producers.... 10 Easter 2010 NATIONAL CONCERT BAND FESTIVAL
festival 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 highpoint in a bands season and reflects the most worthwhile activity a festival can offer. Eng l a n d ncbf
destination UNITED KINGDOM The United Kingdom has a long band history, including the great brass band tradition that grew up in the mining areas. There is a rich tradition of composing for bands, notably Gustav Holst and stretching through to current times with composers of the caliber of Philip Sparke, Kenneth Hesketh and Nigel Clarke. Manchester Oxford Birmingham London Eng l a n d ncbf 2
destination BIRMINGHAM Birmingham, host to the 2010 ncbf, lies 100 mi (160 km) northwest of London. Its first charter was granted in 1166. It was a small manufacturing town until the 18th century, when it became a centre of the Industrial Revolution, counting among its citizens James Watt, Joseph Priestley, and John Baskerville. It suffered heavy bombing during World War II but was subsequently rebuilt. It remains the chief centre of Britain s light and medium industry, and it is also the cultural centre for a wide area. Birmingham is the site of two universities and of a grammar school founded by King Edward VI in 1552. 3 Eng l a n d ncbf
HIGHLIGHTS 2010 Tuesday, April 6 Wednesday, April 7 Thursday, April 8 Friday, April 9 Saturday, April 10 Sunday, April 11 Monday, April 12 Tuesday, April 13 Wednesday, April 14 Thursday, April 15 Departure Arrive in Manchester Orientation Tour Morning at leisure Visit the Royal Northern College of Music Performance Travel to Birmingham Visit Stoke on Trent Attend the National Concert Band Festival (NCBF) Performance Attend the National Concert Band Festival (NCBF) Performance Travel to London Visit Stratford upon Avon Visit Oxford Tour of London Visit the British Museum Farewell performance Departure Manchester Oxford Birmingham London Eng l a n d ncbf 4
PROGRAM ENGLAND Tuesday, April 6 Depart USA Wednesday, April 7 Arrive in Manchester airport Meet your Kingsway International tour manager Transfer to Manchester for a panoramic sightseeing tour including downtown are, the tram system and many excellent museums Arrive at hotel for Check in Welcome dinner Overnight in Manchester Thursday, April 8 Morning at leisure Afternoon visit to the Royal Northern College of Music which has an international reputation as a teaching faculty of the highest caliber and facilities unparalleled among conservatoires in the UK Performance Overnight in Manchester 5 Eng l a n d ncbf
PROGRAM Friday, April 9 Travel to Birmingham en route we stop in Stoke on Trent to visit the world famous Josiah Wedgwood pottery factory which dates back to 1759. Tour the factory and a chance to make your own design Pottery either at the potter s wheel or with paint and brush Arrive in Birmingham Register for the National Concert Band Festival (NCBF) Overnight in Birmingham Saturday, April 10 Guided tour of Birmingham Attend National Concert Band Festival (NCBF) Performance Overnight in Birmingham Eng l a n d ncbf 6
PROGRAM Sunday, April 11 Morning at leisure Attend National Concert Band Festival (NCBF) Performance at Birmingham Conservatoire as part of the 2010 National Concert Band Festivals Dinner Overnight in Birmingham Monday, April 12 Guided visit to the charming market town of Stratford upon Avon, home of William Shakespeare. Visit to Shakespeare s birthplace Continue to Oxford, known as the city of Dreaming Spires. Enjoy a walking tour of this historic city and visit Christ Church which is Oxford s largest college, re-founded by Henry VIII in 1546 Travel to London Orientation tour Check in Overnight in London 7 Eng l a n d ncbf
program Tuesday, April 13 Today we take a guided city tour of London which passes: Buckingham Palace including the changing of the guard (if held), Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, the BA London Eye and Trafalgar Square Independent lunch We continue to explore London through the financial district, past the Bank of England, Tower Bridge, St.Paul s Cathedral, the Tower of London and Crown Jewels Overnight in London Wednesday, April 14 Visit the British Museum, the oldest public museum in the world. The British Museum was established in 1753 and now contains artifacts spanning thousands of years of world culture including antiquities from Egypt, Europe, Africa, the Americas, Roman Britain, medieval renaissance and of course the Elgin Marbles Farewell performance Farewell dinner Thursday, April 15 Transfer to London Heathrow airport for your return flight home Eng l a n d ncbf 8
PRODUCERS KINGSWAY INTERNATIONAL proudly stages some of the finest performance tours around the world and in America. Many of these are custom stand alone tours in glorious destinations and settings such as the Vatican. Others are part of festivals in venues as commanding as the Sydney Opera House, Forbidden City Concert Hall, Votiv Kirche, Dvorak Hall, and the Berliner Dome. These festivals are deftly guest conducted by some of the most talented of all musical leaders and educators. International performance travel has always presented challenges requiring a myriad of details to come together in order to make magical musical moments. This has never been truer than today. KI seeks to be your partner in managing these challenges in new and creative ways. DR. MATTHEW GEORGE Artistic Advisor Matthew J. George holds degrees from the University of North Texas, Southern Methodist University and Ithaca College. He is Professor of Music, Director of Bands and Chair of the Department of Music at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. His work as a conductor/clinician has taken him across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Costa Rica, continental Europe, Ireland, the UK, Australia, Japan, China, Brazil and Argentina. He has served as Artistic Director for several international music festivals in Australia, Europe and China. He is currently Music Director of Grand Symphonic Winds and is the founder and past Music Director of the Banda Sinfonica at the Escuela Nacional de Musica in Mexico City, Mexico. Dr. George s ensembles have appeared at major music conferences including the College Band Directors Association, Music Educators National Association and the Minnesota Music Educators Association. Under his direction, the UST Symphonic Wind Ensemble appears on the Innova record label. Dr. George has commissioned close to 75 new works by prolific national and international composers. A participating member in several professional scholarly organizations, he is Past President of the CBDNA North Central Conference. 3260 E. Woodmen Rd. #200 Colorado Springs, CO 80920-3587 Phone: (719) 260-0200 Fax: (719) 598-8674 Email: Oliver@KingswayInternational.net www.kingswayinternational.net
in England 2010: NCFB REGISTRATION OF INTEREST FORM Name of Conductor Name of Ensemble Address Mailing Address City/State/Zip Home phone Mobile phone Office phone Fax E-mail Website You may wish to nominate a tour contact person to assist the director in all matters relating to the tour including financial, promotional and organizational details. Tour Contact Person (if other than conductor) Address City/State/Zip Home phone Mobile phone Office phone Fax E-mail Approx. Number of Ensemble members in the tour Approx. Number of accompanying persons in the tour I will send a photo of myself to use in my brochures by (date) I will send performance information by (date) I wish Kingsway to print (quantity) brochures Return completed form to: 3260 E. Woodmen Rd. #200 Colorado Springs, CO 80920-3587 Phone: (719) 260-0200 Fax: (719) 598-8674 www.kingswayinternational.net