Melbourne International Festival of Brass

Conceived in 2003 by successful professional musicians Geoff Collinson and Michael Bertoncello, the Melbourne International Festival of Brass (MIFB) 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 was the principal horn player of the London Symphony Orchestra 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.