2026 State Band Championships
WHEN: August 15th and 16th, 2026
WHERE: Hawthorn Arts Centre (360 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn)
The VBL is pleased to announce that the 2026 State Band Championships shall be held in Hawthorn on the weekend of the 15th and 16th of August.
The adjudicator for the event will be announced shortly.
Provisional Schedule
The provisional schedule for the 2026 State Band Championships is as follows. Please note that this schedule is not confirmed and changes are possible depending on entry numbers in each grade.
Saturday 15 August
- Junior Concert Bands
- Open Concert Bands
- Junior Brass Bands
- Open D Grade Brass Bands
- Open A Grade Brass Bands
Sunday 16 August
- Open C Grade Brass Bands
- Open B Grade Brass Bands
Entry Information
Entries close June 26th
Relevant entry information for the 2026 State Band Championships can be found below:
Entry Forms
Contest entry forms can be found above. Entries must be submitted by Friday June 26th
Entry Fees
Fees are able to be paid via direct debit, see the Contest Schedule for account information. The entry fee for the 2026 State Band Championships is $300.00
Scores & Synopses
A condition of entry into the State Band Championships is that all competitors must provide the VBL a copy of all scores which the band is competing with. Scores must have every bar numbered and all distinguishing marks removed. Bands should also prepare a short synopsis for each piece which will be read out to the audience during the competition. These must be received by Friday July 17th.
A physical copy must be posted to PO Box 394, Moonee Ponds, VIC, 3039
AND
A digital copy emailed to president@vbl.org.au
Scores and synopses must be emailed to the contest supervisor (president@vbl.org.au).
Season Passes (for band members)
All competitors will be required to buy a ticket to listen to results on the day. The VBL is offering discount tickets to all competing band members who wish to listen to other bands. These Season Passes are valid for the entire weekend and are available for $6 each. Competitors will not be admitted to the auditorium without a valid ticket.
Season Pass orders should be received by the contest supervisor (president@vbl.org.au) by Friday July 17th.
Stage Plans
Stage plans should be received by the contest supervisor (president@vbl.org.au) by Friday July 17th.
Player Registrations
All players competing on-stage must be registered with the VBL or the competing band will be disqualified. Most players will have been registered at the start of the year but any additional players will need to be registered by Friday July 31st.
Contest Declarations & Player Lists
Once all players have been registered, all competitors must complete their Contest Declaration & Player Lists and forward them to the registrar (registrar@vbl.org.au) by Friday July 31st.
Music Selection
The music selection for the 2026 State Band Championships is as follows:
Open Brass & Concert Bands
Must perform four pieces as follows:
• Major Work
• March
• Sacred Item/Hymn
• Own Choice
Junior Brass & Concert Bands
Must perform three pieces as follows:
• Major Work
• 2 x contrasting Concert Items
The set work for each of the following grades will be the Major Work as listed below:
Open A Grade Brass
Moonscapes by Benjamin Tubb-Hearne
Open B Grade Brass
Lift High the Cross by Jonathan Bates
Open C Grade Brass
Arkansas by Jacob de Haan
Open D Grade Brass
The Journal of Phileas Fogg by Peter Graham
Junior A Grade Brass
For there is nothing lost by Jodie Blackshaw
Junior B Grade Brass
Voice of Youth by Edward Gregson
Junior C Grade Brass
Lord of the Lake by Thierry Deleruyelle
Open A Grade Concert
Fantasic Dreams by Frank Ticheli
Open B Grade Concert
Beyond the Lucent Portal by Jack Hwang
Open C Grade Concert
Warriors of the Crimson Cove by Adele Mitchell
Open D Grade Concert
Through the Valley by Ryan Nowlin
Junior A Grade Concert
Through Healers’ Eyes by Cathy Likhuta
Junior B Grade Concert
Overture Grandiso by Taylee Jurekie-Rofe
Junior C Grade Concert
Sunchaser by Carol Brittin Chambers