The KBB Music Festival showcases secondary school orchestras, concert bands and jazz bands in Auckland. The festival celebrates 28 years in 2011, having started out as the Auckland Secondary Schools Band and Orchestra Festival. The Festival began with a few schools combining for performances and has since grown in both size and stature. In 2009 there were 120 groups represented from more than 40 schools from the greater Auckland region. Groups perform in professional venues, competing for awards and a place in the gala concerts.
The aims of the festival are:
- To promote growth in instrumental music and encourage performance by all groups – novice or highly experienced.
- To share ideas, techniques and a common interest in music.
- To expose students to different styles of music.
- To give students the opportunity to perform in professional venues.
The festival is run by a committee of volunteers:
- Trevor Thwaites (Faculty of Education, The University of Auckland) Chairperson
- Warwick Robinson (Westlake Boys High School) Administrator
- Miriam Robinson (Rangitoto College) Treasurer
- Christine Myhre (Glendowie College)
- Christine Peak (Itinerant Teacher)
- Hamish Arthur (Itinerant Teacher)
- Nigel Weeks (Macleans College)
- Nikki Hall (Westlake Girls High School)
- Peter Thomas (Epsom Girls Grammar School)
- Rachel Snelling (St Mary’s College)
- Raewyn James (Westlake Boys High School)
- Ross Gerritsen (St Kentigern College)
- Rowan Bolley (Macleans College)
- Ryan Youens (Itinerant Teacher)
- Sally Tibbles (St Cuthberts College)