National Band Council of Australia

The on-stage band championships are split into two categories: brass band championships and concert band championships. Each category of band is divided into grades based on ability level: open grades (A,B,C,D), and junior grades (A,B,C). The open grade sections refer to bands with no age limitations, whereas the junior grade sections require that all players 19 years or younger.

The modern on-stage band championships follows the format of a four piece repertoire, which consists of two major works and two minor works:

• Hymn or Sacred Item selection (a tune from a recognised Church Hymnal, an arrangement based thereon or a reflective arrangement connected with religion or of a spiritual nature)[4]
• Test piece (a major work selected by the Music Advisory Board, which is at the standard of the grade level)
• Own choice (a major work selected by the band's director)
• Stage March (a march, which must be selected from the NBCA approved prescribed march list [5]

It has become common practice that the concert band championships are held on one day, and all four pieces are performed by each band in the one sitting. However, the brass band championships have maintained their traditional split-day format of Day 1 (Good Friday) Hymn and Test, Day 2 (Easter Saturday) Parade of Bands, and Day 3 (Easter Sunday) own Choice and On-Stage march.

The test piece is a major work, which is pre-selected by a Music Advisory Board. It serves as a measure of the standard level of ability for each respective competitive grade. It has become a custom for these test selections (along with solo test pieces) to be published by the organisers on 1 September. On-stage marches must be selected from the approved prescribed list. Although the freedom of choice is limited, the list is regularly updated and the NBCA is always open to appropriate suggestions.

Bands are allocated points by the adjudicator(s), along with recorded comments as feedback for each individual band. The maximum number of aggregate points an individual band can be awarded at any championships is 500 points - these points are divided into four allocations: Hymn selection - 50 points, Test selection - 200 points, Own choice selection - 200 points, On Stage March - 50 points. A perfect score in any of these selections is incredibly rare, with Hobart City Concert Band the last to do so - scoring the maximum 50 points for their hymn in the B Grade Concert Band Championships at the 2004 Championships (held in Launceston),[6]

The winner of the championship is determined by the band with the highest aggregate score. In the event of a tie, the winner is determined by higher test piece score. In order to qualify for the on-stage championships, each band must perform all four pieces.

In the case of brass bands, there is an additional requirement of participation in the marching championships in order to qualify for the on-stage championships. Marching is optional for concert bands, and a separate marching championships exist for concert bands interested in participating.

The parade of bands marching display is mandatory for brass bands, but optional for concert bands. Brass bands must march in order to be eligible to win the on-stage championships. Bands participating in the marching contest are adjudicated on: drill, musicality, and inspection.[7]

The solo championships are conducted in three main categories:

• Brass Band solo championships
• Concert Band solo championships
• Percussion solo championships

Like the band championships, each of these categories split into junior championships (Under 19 years) and open championships. With the brass band and concert band solos, each instrument of the band is allocated a section as well as a set test piece. Competitors can participate only participate in one solo section per band category, and compete against fellow musicians on the same instrument. At the end of the day, the winners of each instrumental section are invited to participate in the "Champion of Champions event" where a junior and an open Champion of Champion is awarded in all three categories.

The percussion solo championships operate slightly differently, in that percussionists can nominate to participate in any or all sections (i.e.: timpani, mallet percussion, auxiliary percussion). While there are section championships awarded, the percussion champion of champions is determined by aggregate points.

The ensemble championships also consists of open and junior championships, but is only open to quartets and quintets. There are no restrictions, as long as they play brass band and/or concert band instruments. There are no prescribed test pieces, and ensembles perform only one piece. Time restrictions apply for ensemble championships.