Adjudicator Change for Conducting Competition
Mareika Gray will now replace Sarah Groarke-Booth on the Brass Band Conductor’s Association Conducting Competition adjudication panel, following a change in Sarah’s availability. No stranger to the Association, Mareika is a past chairperson of the BBCA, and actively involved with both the BBCA, and the Eccles Borough Band, who will be performing in the Gala Concert, on this occasion conducted by Russell Gray, closing the competition, and the day’s music making.
Mareika is the Artistic Director and Professional Musical Director of the Ratby Co-operative Band Organisation. She is also Musical Director of the Eccles Brass Band, based in the North West of England. As a conductor she has made several appearances at the Australian, Danish, Norwegian and British National Championships gaining podium finishes at each contest. As an adjudicator she is internationally in demand as well, having judged the National competitions of France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Sweden, New Zealand and the Youth Championships of Great Britain.
Originally from Australia, Mareika started her music life with the Violin before picking up baritone and joining her father in the Brisbane Excelsior Band. Moving to the United Kingdom in the late 90’s, she played Euphonium with many high profile bands including The Ransome Band, Bodmin town Band, Leyland and Fairey’s among others. Mareika has now established herself among the leading brass band conductors, with her inspiring concert programs and her unique interpretations of major brass band works. She continues to appear at major concert halls including Symphony Hall Birmingham, the Royal Albert Hall in London and the Grieg Hall in Bergen.
Mareika joins Paul Holland, who will between them judge the 12 semi-finalists conducting the Hammonds band on John Golland’s ‘Sounds’ as well as Edward Gregson’s ‘The World Rejoicing’ between 11am and 3pm. Six finalists will be selected to conduct Eccles Borough Band in the Gala Concert which commences at 7.30pm on Saturday the 17th of June in Eccles Town Hall. Both the Competition and Gala Concert are completely free to attend, with a retiring collection at the end of the Concert, so just turn up and come to see the cutting edge of what brass band conducting, and some top bands, have to offer!
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