About NCBF
Since its modest beginnings over 30 years ago, NCBF - National Concert Band Festival has developed and grown in size and prestige until now it is recognised as the largest, most active, enterprising Festival for wind instrument musicians who play in wind bands or big bands throughout the UK.
The ncbf celebrates and promotes the music and activities of wind bands / jazz bands by holding regional festivals across the UK and a National Festival. The organisation aims to provide unique performing opportunities in a friendly, welcoming and musically enriching environment.
New To NCBF?
Find out more about who we are, what we do and how you can get involved by taking a look at this special NCBF introductory video.
Find an NCBF Festival
Bands enter into their local ncbf regional festival where they perform in front of their peers, parents, audience, and ncbf adjudicators who offer feedback based on the ncbf Award Criteria. Bands are not competing against each other but are critiqued against the various aspects of performance and are awarded a certificate signifying their success: Platinum, Gold Silver or Bronze. Read more about the ncbf festival here
Regional/National Festival 2018/19 Dates
| NCBF Festivals | Wind Band Slots Remaining | Big Band Slots Remaining |
|---|---|---|
| 20th January 2018 | ||
| Garnock Community Campus | 7 | Included in Wind Band Slots |
| 13th/14th APRIL 2019 | ||
| NCBF National Festival RNCM Manchester | By Invitation Only | By Invitation Only |
The 2019 National Festival will take place at:
Royal Northern College of Music
April 13th & 14th 2019
Login to confirm your space in the 2019 National Festival (by invitation only)
Deadline: Monday 21st Jan 2019
Regional Festival Finder
Festival Information
Repertoire Lists
Festival Classes
Festival Entry
Register for an NCBF Account to enter the NCBF Festival
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A Festival, Not a Competition
What Students Get Out of NCBF
Why Band Leaders Get Involved
Regional Festival Results
National Festival Results
Follow NCBF
NCBF Notices
Tony Veal (1938 – 2018)
It is with great sadness that we record the death of Tony Veal who passed away on Thursday 13 September. Tony was the Chairman of NCBF until May this year, when he stepped down because of ill health to become Life President.
Tony was by nature a quiet gentleman who gave his time and skill over many decades to music education (he was Head of the Music Service for Solihull Borough Council) and in particular to the organisation of both BASBWE and NCBF. He conducted many community bands in the Midlands and will be remembered for his supportive manner and love of discovering new music for bands. Read the article written by Tony just prior to the 30th anniversary of NCBF in 2015.