INAUGURAL MORELAND SLOW MELODY CONTEST 30 SEPTEMBER 2007

The inaugural Moreland Slow Melody Contest will be held on 30 September 2007 in the Brunswick Town Hall, Sydney Road, Brunswick, commencing at 9.00am.

The contest will feature both novice and open sections in a progressive range of ages and is designed to encourage both beginners and experienced players to compete.

A feature of the day will be the Championship section, where winners of Champion of Champions will compete against their peers for lucrative prizes.

The main contest rules are simple. Each player can only play once on the day, music must not be faster than 80 crotchet beats per minute and the time limit is five minutes. Only standard brass band instruments can be played.

"It’s an opportunity for players to put their musical skills to the test in a friendly and relaxed environment," Contest Director Sandra Pope said.

The contest will be run under the auspices of the Victorian Bands' League. Executive members are working with contest organisers to ensure all aspects of the innovative event comply with current rules.

The format is based on the very successfully Salisbury Slow Melody, which has been run in South Australia for 30 years.

“Victoria has many solo contests but not one dedicated to the important discipline of slow playing,” Moreland City Band Musical Director Wally Pope explained when he announced the contest live to air on the ABC Band of the Year programme on 774 ABC on Wednesday night.

Entry forms and the contest schedule will be distributed to Victorian bands with the July VBL news, or can be obtained from the Contest Director, Sandra Pope, by email request to sandra.pope@optusnet.au

Further inquiries should be directed to Sandra on 03 9459 4107. Expressions of interest for sponsorship or advertising should be directed to Kathy Clark on 0417 447 933 or email to joheanjarmak@yahoo.com.au