AoBBA Announce New Adjudicators

The Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (AoBBA) has announced that Robert Burnett & Stephanie Binns have successfully completed its trainee programme and become full members.

Robert Burnett began his banding career in the Salvation Army before taking up euphonium seats with Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Parc & Dare, Cory & Tredegar Bands. Regarded as one of the most experienced members of the Welsh banding community, Robert has also travelled throughout Europe and Scandinavia as a player and conductor. Robert still plays with Vintage Cory Band and is Musical Director of Rogerstone Community Band.

Having spent the last eighteen months on AoBBA’s trainee programme, Robert commented: “The opportunity to work alongside some of the UK’s finest adjudicators has proven to be invaluable. I have received such useful comments and positive encouragement from the Head of AoBBA’s trainee programme, Martin Heartfield, which stood me in good stead as I progressed.”

Alongside Robert’s appointment, Stephanie Binns also becomes a full member. Stephanie began her banding life in her native Cornwall, before moving to Wales to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and joining Tongwynlais Temperance Band. Shortly after, she joined Cory Band where she remained for seven years as their repiano cornet player. In 2018, Stephanie joined the Fairey Band where she spent two years as the band’s Principal Cornet player before joining Black Dyke Band as the band’s flugelhorn player in 2020.

Stephanie commented: “I am delighted to be joining AoBBA as a full member and look forward to working with the Association and its other brilliant members as an adjudicator. I have for a long time been passionate about nurturing and encouraging the next generation of players, and look forward to contributing in any small way I can to this cause.”

Public Relations Officer, Christopher Bond, added: “The appointment of Robert Burnett and Stephanie Binns as full members of the Association is evidence indeed of the success of our training programme, with two excellent musicians from very different banding backgrounds both working alongside AoBBA to become members of our increasingly diverse and talented membership.”