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 3 years at MIFB.
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 Board
Bruce McComish - chair
Barry Tuckwell
Peter Slattery
Phil Beswick
James Morrison - honorary
Geoff Collinson