Josh Geddes Travels 9,000 Miles to Take NABBC Competition Title

Saturday 9th June saw the NABBC hold their AGM and Conductors competition. During the AGM we were delighted to add to our already experienced Executive committee with appointments of Alex Parker, Tom Hancock and Paul Holland.

After the AGM, the Rainford Band arrived to perform in the semi final round where 11 competitors would lead the band through a 15 minute rehearsal on one of three test pieces, all under the watchful eye of adjudicators Paul Holland and Mark Heron.

After each conductor had rehearsed, 6 were chosen to take through to the final. These were Ryan Watkins (UK), John Ward (UK), Hugh Morris (UK), Josh Geddes (AUS), Pascal Maillard (FRA), and Jack Capstaff (UK).

The finalists were then given a concert piece to both rehearse and perform with the evening band, the Eccles Borough Band, again all trying to impress the adjudicators and claim the prize. After each had performed, a capacity audience at Eccles Town Hall were treated to a gala concert from the Eccles band under the direction of NABBC Chairperson Mareika Gray.

Before the announcement of the results, the adjudicators spoke to the audience explaining what an incredibly high standard of Conducting had been on display during the course of the day and paid tribute to both bands who had performed superbly throughout on what must have been a very tiring day for them.

In third place was Ryan Watkins, 2nd was Jack Capstaff and the winner for 2018 was Josh Geddes. Josh had travelled all the way from Australia for the event and now takes the title of NABBC Conducting champion 2018, as well as invitations to work in both rehearsal and concert with the current National champions of Great Britain the Brighouse & Rastrick band and the number one ranked band in the world, The Cory Band.

Speaking on his win Josh told A4B: “I’m on cloud nine! It was a surprise to even make it to Eccles, let alone having to find luggage room for the trophy. It was an honour to have been chosen amongst some wonderful conductors. The collegiality amongst the finalists was really wonderful and the two bands where so responsive and supportive. A huge thanks to the NABBC for putting on the event, to the adjudicators who were able to give a lot of constructive feedback, Cory and Brighouse and Rastrick for the opportunity to work with them, and most importantly my wife Jane and daughter Alyssa whose support is immense and unwavering. I am now looking forward to returning the UK to continue my development as a conductor.”

After the conclusion of the event NABBC Chairperson, Mareika Gray told A4B: ‘The 2018 NABBC Conducting competition was a complete success. It was pleasing to receive so many positive comments from Adjudicators, competitors, both bands, and the audience. Congratulations to all competitors with special mention to Ryan Watkins, Jack Capstaff, and of course our winner Josh Geddes.

The date for the Association AGM and Conducting competition for 2019 has been agreed as Saturday 8th June with further application details released in due course.