Each year the festival welcomes 4,500 students in 145 groups from 50 schools across Auckland & beyond.

About the festival

The KBB Music Festival is administered by the Auckland Secondary Schools Music Festival Trust (a registered Charitable Trust who are operate independently of KBB Music) and is run by a wider committee of volunteers known as the KBB Music Festival Committee.

The KBB Music Festival showcases secondary school orchestras, concert bands and jazz bands in Auckland. The festival celebrated 40 years in 2023, 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. Groups perform in professional venues, competing for awards and a place in the gala concerts.

Our Vision:

The cornerstone festival for secondary school Band and Orchestra musicians, where they can excel, share the joy of music with their peers, and perform for the wider community.

Our Mission:

  • To provide an environment where young people of all abilities and backgrounds can play and share music together

  • To inspire students and promote the growth and development of instrumental ensemble music

  • To build communities through playing and celebrating music together in professional venues.

  • To foster a lifelong love of playing and performing different styles of music

  • To support music directors and teachers through professional development

Our Values:

  • Community

  • Opportunity

  • Inclusivity

  • Participation

  • Excellence

  • Fun

The festival is run by an executive team:

  • Michael Joel (Freelance Conductor) Chairperson

  • Warwick Robinson (Westlake Boys High School) Festival Director

  • Miriam Robinson (Westlake Girls High School) Financial Director

  • Ryan Youens (Freelance Musician) Digital Director

  • Rachel Larcombe (Selwyn College) Marketing & Systems Director

  • Tanya Hiskens KBBMF Logistics

Supported by a committee of volunteers:

  • Andrew Chamberlain (KBB Music General Manager)

  • Garin Keane (KBB Music Education Manager)

  • Brent Imrie (Tour Time Director)

  • Andrea Smith (Rangitoto College)

  • Beverley Brockelbank (Itinerant Teacher)

  • David Stent (Dilworth School)

  • Tim Atkinson (St Mary’s College)

  • Mike Young (St Cuthbert’s College)

  • Steve Miles (Macleans College)

  • Andrew Lile (Glendowie College)

  • Rachael Mannering (Epsom Girls Grammar School)

  • Albert Lee (Saint Kentigern College)

  • Hamish Arthur (Itinerant Teacher)

  • Jasmine Sun (Diocesan School for Girls)

  • Lisiate Ha’unga (Whangaparaoa College)

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Peter Goddard Memorial Award

The festival committee introduced a new award at the 2012 festival: The Peter Goddard Memorial Award.

The ensemble receiving the Peter Goddard Memorial Award will be chosen by the chairperson of the KBB Music Festival Committee having received nominations from committee members. This award is endowed by the KBB Music Festival in recognition of the support given by Peter Goddard during his life time to the development of young musicians. Peter was a founding member of the Auckland Secondary School Band and Orchestra Festival and served on the committee for over 20 years. Whilst not a performer himself he valued the gift of music and recognised its importance in the lives of young people, irrespective of school decile or cultural background. Peter passed away in February 2012 and the festival committee has unanimously agreed to instigate an annual memorial award in his honour.

The award, which is announced at the gala concerts, is presented to an ensemble whose performance, presentation or behaviour embodies the values that Peter Goddard held.