ncbf (National Concert Band Festival) is delighted to announce it has been awarded a grant of £49,951 from Arts Council England. NCBF is the UK’s only wind band and big band music festival, focussing on active participation from musicians of all age groups and standards.
Under the banner of ncbf Extra, the Festival will be embarking on 4 initiatives over a three year period:
1) ncbf in Partnership - research and identify new groups (particularly in areas of traditionally low engagement) who would benefit from having an assessment of their band regardless of size and instrumentation (flexi-band) via online video submission.
2) ncbf Youth Ambassadors – create a youth platform for a representative group from across the UK.
3) ncbf at Home – following a brief initial trial, launch a UK-wide scheme offering bands the opportunity of a specialist mentor leading a rehearsal/workshop session at the bands’ regular rehearsal venue, enabling the players to further develop their musical skills in their own community.
4) ncbf Young Composers Scheme – create an opportunity regardless of background, training and environment for young musicians (age under 30 years) to develop their skills writing for bands.
ncbf Extra will be coordinated by a newly appointed part-time Partnership Coordinator, Jayne Rollason. Jayne is an experienced arts manager, flautist and trustee for Birmingham Symphonic Winds. She is Director of Classic Management, her own artist management company where she represents international soloists and ensembles and undertakes projects.
