Welcome
to the website of the
annual Guildford Banjo Jamboree !
9th Jamboree: 21st, 22nd & 23rd September 2012
This site was last modified on 8th November 2011.
G'DAY FOLKS!
The Guildford Banjo Jamboree is a gathering of musicians and music lovers in the small country town of Guildford, in Central Victoria, Australia. It was conceived in 2004 to showcase the banjo in its many forms and related styles. The emphasis has been on American string band music (Bluegrass, Old-timey, Appalachian, Jugband, Hawaiian and Blues) but the programme also encompasses other styles such as Celtic, Klezmer, Jazz and contemporary music.
A great spirit of celebration has pervaded the town during each of the past eight Jamborees and, whether on stage or in the jam sessions, the music from an enormous array of instruments and voices has been top class. Of course the Banjo is always King - as well it should be!
The Jamboree owes much of its success to local residents, businesses and organisations. Each year a percentage of excess funds is donated back to organisations such as the CFA, the Hall, the John Powell Reserve, the Primary School and the Progress Association. The Jamboree has assisted in, among other things, the purchase of a defibrillator, a sound system and acoustic insulation for the hall, the shower block for the oval, equipment for the CFA and the School, and costs associated with the publication of the Guildford Globe.
WEB SITE
Links to the various pages on our website can be found at the bottom of each page (apart from this one) just above the banjo pictures. If you have the website in your Favourites listings, please hit REFRESH when you log on and for each page just to make doubly sure the latest version appears. Thanks to Chris Allan for working on our website at very reasonable rates.
LINKS
A new page on our website is the Links page. This gives you access to some sites related to the Jamboree and its associated music which you may like to peruse.
EIGHTH JAMBOREE, SEPTEMBER 2011
What a time was had!! The weather gods smiled upon us, the music was superb and the patrons
friendly and happy! The balmy days and mild nights ensured that the open-air sessions on the
verandahs, street corners and camping areas rarely stopped. And of course the Saturday parade,
the Sunday Gospel Singalong and the Sunday Beer Garden concert could all be enjoyed in glorious
sunshine!
Huge thanks to all the fabulous performers, workshop presenters, MCs, dance callers and musicians, all of whom donated their time and talents in return for a weekend pass. For a full "Thank You" listing, please click on our Bulletin Board page.
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THE ROBBIE WATTS MEMORIAL TWO-TUNE PICK-OFF 2011
The Robbie Watts memorial banjo pick-off contest was a big crowd-pleaser again during the Saturday
afternoon concert. The open award was won by Brayden Ryan with a blistering performance.
At only 20 years old Brayden has now won the Robbie Watts award three times.
For the first time an 18 years and under Youth Award was included as part of the Robbie Watts banjo pick-off. This was sponsored from the Ron De Graauw memorial fund and looks like becoming a perpetual award. The Youth Award was won by Connor Young, an eleven year old with a passion for bluegrass banjo. He was playing off against his cousin, Kaitlynn Bruton-Peters.
VOLUNTEERS
The Jamboree is organised and run by VOLUNTEERS, and is hugely supported by the townsfolk of Guildford and surrounds. We appreciate any assistance anyone can offer before, during and after the Jamboree. If you would like to become involved in the organisation, you can contact us at:
PROGRAMMING
The Jamboree is a great place to be and a great place to play. All our musicians, MCs and dance callers give their time and talents in return for a weekend pass and they work hard to make sure that the crowds get well and truly more than their money's worth! Artist applications are open for the 2012 Jamboree. Go to the Programme + Performers Bios page for our programming guidelines.
TICKETS
Ticket prices for 2012 will be posted on the Tickets page closer to the event. The 2011 ticket prices can still be viewed on that page for reference.
CAMPING AND ACCOMMODATION
For general guidelines concerning camping, accommodation, facilities and fire restrictions, please go to our Camping and Accommodation page.
COMMITTEE
We are: Jeanette Gillespie (Chairperson and Programmer), Annie Wiltshire (Secretary), Ray Pattle (Treasurer), Gayle Boyle (Merchandise). As always, we gratefully acknowledge the fabulous work of past committees, and we have, and will continue to, call upon them for advice and assistance.
We still welcome comments and feedback from this year's Jamboree - just email us at Thanks to those who have already provided some comments and feedback - all will be taken into consideration when planning the 2012 Jamboree!