MIFB History
Conceived in 2003 by successful professional musicians Geoff Collinson and Michael Bertoncello, the Melbourne International Festival of Brass arose out of the need to inspire the Australian brass scene, including students, professionals, amateurs and brass educators at all levels. Due to ever tightening budgets that ignore artistic product there existed a need for such a project arising from a perceived lack of inspiration in the tertiary music environment.
Geoff and Michael approached professional artists from all around the globe and put them together with our home grown talent to establish an MIFB Artist core. This Artist core has continued to pass on the knowledge of their experience to inspire Victorian and Australian brass musicians and enthusiasts over the last 6 years.
A boon for the Melbourne International Festival of Brass was the appointment of Honorary Patron, Barry Tuckwell. Barry Tuckwell was the principal horn player of the London Symphony for thirteen years, is regarded as the world's most recorded horn player, and remains an international soloist, chamber musician, teacher and is the past president and honorary member of the International Horn Society.
The festival is the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region and is unique in the world with its range of instruments, styles, educational programs and concerts.
The festival has been run by a team of dedicated volunteers, some of whom have gained employment in the arts sector as a direct result of their experience and involvement in the festival.
MIFB ARTISTS
2008
Australian Brass Quintet, B# Big Band, Barry Tuckwell, Ben Jacks, David Elton, David King, Gail Williams, Jens Lindemann, Jon Sass, Michael Bertoncello, National Australia Brass, Shannon Pittaway, Tristram Williams, Victorian State Youth Brass Band, Wayne Bergeron, Wycliffe Gordon
2007
Barry Tuckwell, Brisbane Excelsior Band, David Childs, Jens Bjorn-Larsen, Mnozil Brass, Ralph Sauer, Stefan Dohr, James Thompson, Wycliffe Gordon
2006
Barry Tuckwell, Brisbane Excelsior Band, Bobby Shew, Hugh Seenan, MIFB Big Band, Randall Hawes, Rex Richardson, Robert Johnson, Scott Tinkler, Sergio Carolino
2005
Barry Tuckwell, Rex Richardson, Alan Vizzutti, Bill Watrous, Oystein Baadsvik, James Morrison, Michelle Perry, Anne Jelle-Visser
2004
American Horn Quartet, Barry Tuckwell, Donna Parkes, Eijiro Nakagawa, Hector McDonald, Jim Pugh, Orchestra Victoria Brass, Oystein Baadsvik, RAAF Big Band, Roger Webster, Ross Irwin Big Band, Scott Tinkler, Yoram Levy
2003
Barry Tuckwell, David Childs, Geoffrey Payne, James Morrison, Melbourne Staff Band, Michael Mulcahy, Niklaud Ekland, Oystein Baadsvik, Stockholm Chamber Brass,
MIFB Board
Bruce McComish - chair
Barry Tuckwell
Peter Slattery
Phil Beswick
James Morrison - honorary
Geoff Collinson