AoBBA look ahead to 2025

The Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (AoBBA) has held its 2025 AGM, taking place on Sunday 19th January in Nottinghamshire. Members attended both in person and online, and a minute’s silence was held for all those within the banding community who have passed in the last twelve months; notably AoBBA’s former President, David Read. As well as the business of the AGM, a range of topics regarding adjudication were discussed, including responses to a members’ survey, and together, they will help inform the plan of action for the next three years, with more information in due course.
The Executive Committee were re-appointed as:
Chair – Brett Baker
Secretary – Nicholas Garman
Treasurer – Chris King
Vice Chair & Development Adjudicator Programme Leader – Martin Heartfield
Public Relations Officer – Christopher Bond
Committee Members – David Ashworth, Stephanie Binns, Helen Douthwaite-Teasdale, Alan Duguid & Stan Lippeatt
Following the AGM, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) was given by Dr. Howard Evans (Different Ways of Providing Adjudication), Sam Fisher (Whit Friday: Adjudicating in Large Quantities), Steven Mead (A Method for Clarification of Adjudication) & Dr. George Waddell (The Science & Practice of Performance Evaluation).
The day concluded with a 2025 Regionals Test Piece workshop for Sections 2, 3 & 4 in collaboration with Newstead Brass and open to the public to attend. The band were on hand to play extracts from each piece, while presenters Dr. Brett Baker, Gordon Eddison & Nicholas Garman gave insights into the works from an adjudicators’ perspective.