BBCA Conducting Competition 2024
Entry Requirements
- To be considered, applications must be received via the entry form no later than midday GMT on Thursday 11 April 2024.
- Conductors of any nationality or level of experience can enter. Entrants must be aged above compulsory school age, ie aged 16 or above on 28 June 2024.
- Any candidate who is a current member of the BBCA shall receive a 20% discount applied to their entry fee, (ie the fee shall be £40.00 GBP instead of the full fee of £50.00 GBP)
- Any candidate who joins the BBCA when entering the competition shall be eligible to receive the 20% discount entry to the competition in 2024. Join BBCA here
- Once payment has been received no refund of entry fee shall be given in the event of withdrawal/cancellation by the candidate.
- Entrants must declare if they have a conflict of interest, for example with respect to the adjudicators, BBCA Exec or the bands taking part, at the point this information is revealed. This does not necessarily mean that they will be excluded from the competition.
Video requirements
- Candidates are required to submit a maximum of 2 video recordings each via a YouTube link
- The videos should total a maximum of 15 minutes with a maximum of 2 pieces in total
- Recordings submitted must be of the candidate conducting an ensemble of at least 2 people. This does not have to be a brass band. This can be as part of a performance or a rehearsal.
- Videos submitted are to have been recorded in the last 6 years.
- Videos that have been submitted to previous BBCA conducting competitions can be included.
- Video submissions shall only be considered for entry to the competition when accompanied with the relevant entry fee of £50.00 GBP, or £40.00 GBP for BBCA members.
- It is preferable for recordings to have at least 25% footage of the conductor from the rear of the ensemble. This is to enable the judging panel to observe conductors’ intentions from the perspective of a player. (Recordings with less than 25% footage of the conductor from the front will not be discounted).
- Some of the ensemble should also be visible.
- Candidates are advised to choose pieces that demonstrate their conducting prowess
Judging of video entries and shortlisting
- On the basis of submissions, a judging panel (selected by the BBCA executive committee) shall shortlist up to 10 candidates to attend the semi-final competition in person, to be held at Eccles Town Hall on Saturday 15th June 2024.
- Entries from BBCA members will receive recorded verbal feedback on their video submissions regardless of their placing in the competition. In the event that they are shortlisted, they will receive feedback on their live performance only.
- At all stages of judging, the decision of the appointed panel is final.
Semi-finalists’ competition
- Up to 10 candidates will be shortlisted and invited to attend the live semi-final competition, to be held at Eccles Town Hall on Saturday 15 June 2024.
- A further fee of £50 or £40 for current BBCA members will be charged for those who have been shortlisted and wish to proceed to the live semi-final. This fee must be paid by 20th May 2024 at the latest, and a finalists’ entry form completed.
- Semi-finalists (and finalists) will be expected to cover their own travel costs.
- Semi-finalists will be required to conduct a section of a set piece performed by a guest band. The chosen pieces will be revealed ahead of the competition.
- Scores will not be provided to candidates ahead of the competition semi-final. A score for each piece will be provided on the conductors’ stand for the rehearsal and performance if necessary.
- Adjudicators for the semi-final shall be selected by the BBCA executive committee and will include at least one external professional/teacher of conducting.
Finalists’ competition
- Following the semi-final round, the top 5 candidates will be selected to proceed to the Final. This will take place at the same event and continue on the day of the semi-final and will be judged by the same adjudicators as the semi-final.
- Finalists will have the opportunity to conduct a guest band performing an item at the evening concert to be held later that day. They will have an opportunity to rehearse the guest band for 15 minutes before the start of the concert.
- A list of the concert items to be used in the final will be forwarded ahead of the competition to all semi-finalists.
- Scores will not be provided to candidates ahead of the competition final. A score for each piece will be provided on the conductors’ stand for the rehearsal and performance if necessary.
Publicity
- By submitting an entry to the competition participants agree for their video to be used, either in full or part (video or still image), for broadcast in the use of advertising and/or promotion and to be showcased in any event by the association and its partner organisation BBE via radio, internet, television, social media and any other chosen media.
- By submitting their application candidates also authorise the organisation to use their name and image in printed publications related to the competition.
- BBCA expects that candidates are available for interviews, photo shoots, and any other activity designed to make the competition interesting for the media.
Prizes
- The winner will receive a cash prize of £200 (GBP), a year’s free membership of BBCA, and the opportunity to rehearse and conduct a championship band. They will be presented with the Roy Newsome Shield and their name engraved upon it. The shield will not be available for the winner to take away.
- The top 3 finalists will each receive a glass plaque to keep.
- The top UK entrant will receive a glass plaque to keep. This person may be one of the top 3 finalists.
How to enter
Go to the BBCA Conducting Competition Event on the BBE website at bbe.org.uk/events. Use the registration form to enter your details and add the links to your YouTube video(s). Please complete your entry by the close of 11th April 2024 GMT.
More information
- For more information, please email bbca@bbe.org.uk