Fanfare

The Annual WindWorx Fanfare!

The WindWorx Fanfare was launched in 2011 and has since grown to the biggest wind band festival in the country with about 750 musicians attending each year in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The event runs over two days with an opening concert on the first night where the WindWorx Symphonic Wind Ensemble and other invited wind bands will perform. We have been very fortunate to have the SA Navy and Army Bands (Western Cape), Johannesburg Youth Symphonic Wind Band, Cape Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensemble, Concordia University Wind Symphony (Chicago) and the Star of the North Concert Band (Minnesota) perform at this event over the years.

Applications are now open for 2026 - Scroll down

Band Evaluations

The main focus of the Fanfare is the evaluation of wind, brass and jazz bands by highly regarded adjudicators including Pamela Kierman, John Rojas, Gareth Williams, Mervyn Solomon, Nick Green, Laurika Steenkamp, Kenny Leibbrandt, Liam Burden, Felicia Lesch, Allistair McDonald, Corvin Matei, Faan Malan, Vernon Michells, John Hargreaves and Phil Golson.

It is important to note that the event is not a competition. Instead, evaluations are confidential, sealed and provided solely for personal growth.

In addition to the formal evaluations, the event offers an informal platform for performances that enrich the experience for attending fans. The festival concludes with a grand finale featuring the presentation of certificates, a concert showcasing additional invited bands, and the highly anticipated massed band, a collective ensemble comprised of hundreds of dedicated musicians.

Arrangements for Fanfare 2026

After the great success of the 2025 WindWorx Fanfare and large number of entries, we met with a number of band leaders recently and discussed ways of making the event even more workable and, of course, more enjoyable!

The plans for the 2026 event are as follows:

Venue: Durbanville High School
Dates: 15 & 16 May 2026
The Fanfare will be split over two days – Friday afternoon and evening, and Saturday afternoon and evening. This will help with the logistical arrangements for the large number of entries, making the days a bit shorter and allowing some flexibility for bands for when they are available.
We will secure a sponsorship from a music company who will provide a backline for both the formal and informal performance venues. This is especially to accommodate the jazz band participants.
Stalls with small usable items (reeds, drum sticks, valve oils, etc), music books and instrument repairs will be on site and of course a variety of eats and drinks for sale.

Applications for Fanfare 2026

The event is open for applications – see details below

FANFARE APPLICATION

Dear Band Leader,

You are invited to participate in the 14th WindWorx Fanfare which will include an opening concert, evaluations over two days of symphonic wind, brass and jazz ensembles and a grande finale with selected bands and the ever-popular massed band.

Opening concert: Friday 15 May

The concert will take place at Durbanville High School, featuring the WindWorx Symphonic Wind Ensemble with a curtain raiser by the Durbanville High School Wind Band. As some of the evaluations would have taken place already, several bands from the day’s performances would be invited to partake as well.

Evaluations: Friday 15 May & Saturday 16 May

Depending on the number of entries, evaluations will happen over two afternoons. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate the abilities of the band you conduct, together with many other bands in the peninsula. The event will provide a platform for bands to perform and be evaluated by a panel of adjudicators who will provide a written report for personal viewing only. This is NOT a competition; there are no specific categories, and the individual performance of each group will be evaluated. The band you conduct, however, could possibly be invited to play an item or two at either the opening or final concerts. Bands will have the opportunity to repeat their performance at another, informal venue as well. Food and drinks will be on sale at this venue. Waiting rooms will be provided for each band.

To allow for shorter days and band availability, you can select your preferred dates for evaluation and performances. This will default to Saturday 16 May if fewer than 14 bands participate.

Final concert: Saturday 16 May

The concert will invite bands from the day’s evaluations and conclude with an overview by the adjudicators and presentations of certificates. A massed band will end the concert in which, ideally, all participants should participate. To facilitate the performance of the massed band items, music will be distributed to participants prior to the event, and there will be a rehearsal on the day before the concert.

The following rules are applicable to individual band performances:

Only symphonic wind, brass and jazz ensembles may participate
Each ensemble should have a minimum of 15 members
Each ensemble should prepare 2 – 3 pieces of which the total duration should not exceed 15 minutes playing time
Ensemble will have approximately 5 minutes in total to enter and exit the stage
Larger percussion instruments will be provided (list to be made available at a later stage)

Application to Enter

Please complete the online application form below or click here to download this PDF entry form and return it to fanfare@windworx.co.za.

A non-refundable entry fee of R750 per group is required to cover costs. On receipt of payment, the sheet music for the massed band items will be sent to conductors for distribution to band members. This will be provided in electronic format and not in hard copy.

Closing deadline

The deadline for entries and payments is 6 March 2026. This will enable you to receive the massed band items.

For any queries, please contact the organisers at fanfare@windworx.co.za or on +27 67 538 1830.

We look forward to your participation in this event!