Chief Adjudicator for 2008 Victorian State Concert Band Championships

The Victorian Bands' League is pleased to announce that the chief adjudicator for the 2008 Victorian State Concert Band Championships is Mr James Brice (Sydney, NSW).

CV for JAMES BRICE B.Ed (Mus), L.Mus A, A.Mus A
James was educated at Melbourne University, where he completed a Bachelor of Education, majoring in music education, conducting, instrumental performance and drama. He studied conducting with Barry Bignell, in which time James was appointed Head of Brass Studies at St. Leonard's College, and Musical Director of many Melbourne based ensembles.

James moved to Sydney in 1996, to accept the Principal Euphonium/Trombone position with the R.A.A.F Air Command Band (1996-2007). Throughout his celebrated 11 year career, James performed extensively throughout Australia and overseas, with highlights of 'Tour De Force Concerts' in Dili-Timor (2000), Sydney Olympics Closing Ceremony (2000), Gallipoli ANZAC Commemoration Services (2002), New Zealand Bledisloe Cup (2004), Coordinator/Designer of the RAAF Air Command Band Marching Display at the Taranaki International Tattoo (NZ-2004), two Live to Air Broadcasts on ABC 'Sunday Live' (2003-2005). He also performed at most of the headline Australian Jazz Festivals with the internationally acclaimed RAAF Air Command Big Band (96-06), and countless Prime Ministerial, US Presidential, and two Royal Ceremonial visits for Her Majesty the Queen.

In 2008, James was appointed Head of Instrumental Music at Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga, NSW where he is the 'Conductor In Residence' of the orchestral and wind band program. James is also the Musical Director of the Castle Hill RSL Youth Band and the North West Wind Ensemble and proudly led both bands to 'A Grade championship' success, in both Junior and Open fields, throughout both of the 2006 & 2007 Australian National Band Championships. Both bands are also the NSW State Champion bands in the same grades.

Since 1990, James has been highly sought after as a specialist brass tutor, soloist, university lecturer, recording artist, producer, conductor and adjudicator throughout Australia. James has been able to inspire students of all ages through his charismatic and enthusiastic approach to students and ensembles. Throughout 2007, James conducted and produced professional recordings with the Castle Hill RSL Youth Band, West Pennant Hills Public School Band Program, and two interactive web recordings of the North West Wind Ensemble. These can be sourced on the internet, at www.reedmusic.com and www.manhattanbeachmusic.com

James has also attained his A Mus A on Euphonium with Distinction in 1993 and Licentiate Diploma in 1995, being the first Euphonium player to attain this diploma in Australia. To further promote the Euphonium and the repertoire written for the instrument, James recorded and produced his own solo euphonium CD, Symphonic Variants for Euphonium in 1995.

Since then James has also attained his A Mus A on Tuba in 1998, performed with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Chris Bowman
President, VBL

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