Australian Concert Bands

Bout time there was a forum for us concert bandies..... let those brassies learn there is more to making music than blowing raspberries down a piece of tube

My name's Brian (in case you couldn't work that out) and I currently play clarinet in the Port Macquarie Hastings Municipal Band in Port Macquarie.

I've been involved with bands for as long as I can remember, starting on clari, working my way up the ranks from 3rd to 1st, then moving through the various saxes (as was needed for instrumentation....), before returning to the clari.

Looking forward to being able to share ideas with other concert bandies, and form connections between our bands.

Lets do all we can to spread the word about these forums and get as many ppl as we can involved!

Cheers.

Hi, my name's Keith.
I play euph (mainly) for Frankston City Band (brass) & sometimes helper for Southern Area Concert Band (mainly trom), both in Melbourne.

I have played all parts, except kit, in a brass band & the only brass instrument i have not played is french horn.

As you can guess I'm a "Brass Bandie", but will support any musical group. I'm sick of the "us" & "them" attitude between brass & concert bands, so im hoping this forum concentrates on music, wherever it comes from.

Hi Keith

Welcome to the forum mate!

My aim for this forum is to promote Community Banding, mostly from the Concert Band side. But that doesn't rule out Brass Bands in any way whatsoever!

I will also keep an eye out and try to prevent an "us" and "them" attitude from become prevelant in the forum!

Hello every one
My Name is Daniel i am a trombone Player who Plays with numerous bands including : Port town band, St joes Cross Campus band, Mackillop senior campus Jazz band, Regional brass ensemble and jazz ensemble, wauchope youth band ( on the odd occasion)
Great work Ben with settin this up

Hey Dan

Good to see you here mate!

Catchya at practice!

Hi all,

Robert here. I have been playing with the Muswellbrook Concert Band (on trombone) for about a year now. Prior to that I was playing in the University of Newcastle Wind Orchestra whilst studying.

I have also been playing in 1st bone in Gunnedah Shire Band for about 9 years, which kinda makes me a bit of a brass bandy (yes, one of those, tisk, tisk). But, to be completely honest, I enjoy playing in both ensembles equally.

The thing that I enjoy most about playing with Mussy is the laid back nature of the band. Sure, they do make good music, but know how to have fun doing it. A grade (especially brass bands) get very serious, which has its good points too, but it is nice to sit back an enjoy the music now and then.

So, that's my rant, good on you guys for getting this up and running, let's keep all the comments positive and enjoy discussing our banding.

-Robert

Hey Bobatron!

Welcome to the forum mate!

You guys beat us at east coast last year whilst you were in C grade - good to see Muswellbrook is now in B grade (now we can win! )

Hi There,
My name is Mell Harley and I play Oboe with North West Wind Ensemble when I'm not busy being a mother, music teacher, playing with screws band, uni student etc etc.
I have been in and out of the banding world since having Mason but am absolutly loving playing with Northwest when I do. The music is challenging and James in an inspiration. I wish more all conductors would take a page out of his book because he is most certainly doing a great job!
Have been playing a little percussion with Bankstown Brass Band as I follow Harley's lead into brass bands.
Thanx for creating the concert band forum... was getting a little tired of reading all the catty remarks from brass players on spitvalve and watching woodwind players get shot down in flames for making comments.
Cheers
Mell

Hi Mell

Welcome to the forum!

Congrats to North Winds for their A grade win at state (at least im pretty sure it was North Winds! )

Look forward to seeing your posts around the forum!!

Hi everyone, my name is Lachlan and I'm in the process of starting the Shepparton Wind Symphony in regional Victoria. I've mainly played in Brass Bands over the last 16 years but am know spending more time conducting concert bands through job at school and SWS.

Ben, are you going to welcome every single person that introduces themselves on this site? I'm sure that will keep you busy if it keeps growing this rapidly

Hey Lachlan!

Welcome!

Yeah - probably will greet everyone!

I would love to see this grow, but still would like to keep the friendly atmosphere where we take the time to welcome new members!

Maybe we could be like Walmart in the US and employee greeters !

I need a job Ben!

Great! I start you on double the admin wage!!!

Wait - let me think about it - how about half the admin wage

Still the same figure!!!

But feel free to post welcome messages! Everybody can welcome the new members!!!

Half will do me - you're on.!!

Shall i send you an AWA?!