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.

The aims of the festival are:

  • To promote growth in instrumental music and encourage performance by all groups – novice or highly experienced.

  • To share ideas, techniques and a common interest in music.

  • To expose students to different styles of music.

  • To give students the opportunity to perform in professional venues.

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

Supported by a committee of volunteers:

  • Andrew Chamberlain (KBB Music General Manager)

  • Tanya Hiskens (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)

  • Alexandra Goldfinch (Rangitoto College)

  • Steve Miles (Macleans College)

  • Andrew Lile (Glendowie College)

  • Nicola Haddock (Mt Roskill Grammar School)

  • Lauren Raby (Takapuna Grammar School)

  • Rachael Mannering (Epsom Girls Grammar School)

  • Jono Howan (Westlake Girls High School)

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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.