General Information

Registrations open April 27 – May 11
Click here to register online

About the Festival
The Melbourne School Bands Festival (MSBF)
The MSBF is one the nation’s biggest and most prestigious events for school musicians. Nearly 10,000 students participated in 2011, coming from metropolitan and country Victoria, as well as interstate. The Festival commenced in 1989 with just over 20 bands and has grown to a point today where more than 250 concert bands and jazz ensembles participate in the Festival each year. Each year the Foundation provides schools with the opportunity to work with a leading international educator as Chief Adjudicator.

The Melbourne School Strings Festival (MSSF)
The MSSF provides performance opportunities for all levels of string orchestras as well as Symphony Orchestras.

Festival Format

The structure of each event consists of three basic activities:

• PERFORMANCE - Ensembles perform works from a prescribed music list or guidelines. All works on the music lists have an educational focus allowing students to experience music composed specifically for this idiom. There is a panel of three adjudicators and ensembles receive a tape of their performance with audio adjudication as well as a written adjudication as per a set of criteria developed in conjunction with music educators. Immediately after performing, each ensemble receives an “on-stage” tutorial with the Chief Adjudicator where the students work on aspects of their performance.
• LISTENING – Each ensemble listens to other groups perform within their section. This activity may be directed by a clinician who guides the students in critical and analytical listening. The students are then encouraged to use these skills in their own ensembles.
• TUTORIALS – Ensembles participate in a tutorial activity best suited to their category and experience. This may be a directed listening session where the group evaluates the performance of another ensemble, discussing the broader aspects of performing/practising, a practical tutorial or a review and self-analysis of their own performance on video.

Benefits of participation

The Festivals provide the following opportunities for students and teachers:

• A performance goal for ensembles. Educators regard this event as one of the most important performance opportunities on the school calendar
• The opportunity to perform in Melbourne's finest performance venues
• Specifically designed tutorials for each ensemble category
• The opportunity to hear a performance by a number of groups of similar standard
• The chance for students to work with leading educators from Australia and overseas
• Professional development opportunities for ensemble directors
• Work experience opportunities in event management for Secondary college students
• An Award plaque for each ensemble of either Gold, Silver, Bronze, Merit or Participation
• A rating from a panel of experienced professional adjudicators
• A stereo CD recording for Ensembles of their performance, including adjudication comments
• Important feedback for directors as to the overall performance and direction of their ensemble
• Personalised video conducting tutorials for ensemble directors
  
  

Ticket Info

Tickets can be purchased at Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University each day.

Contacts