State Solo and Ensemble Champions 2023
On Saturday, 29th of July, a few of the bands members competed at the State Solo and Ensemble Championships held at Methodist Ladies College, Kew. There were good numbers at the event which ment that compitition was going to be tough for all enterants.
Competing in the Open C/D grade Quartet/Quintet, Trent Hopkinson, Richard Traill, Karen Roberts & Graham Woods put up a stunning performance to win the event over six other ensembles.
Competing in the Open Soprano Cornet Solo's, Andrew Wilson was able to come away with a win also.
Congratulations to the above band members on their acheviments.
Rushworth Trip - 18th & 19th March 2023
Members of Sunshine Community Brass traveled to Rushworth to play for the community there. We were abeley assisted by some members of the Rushworth & Distruct Concert Band over the weekend. We played at the Towns monthly market on the Saturday morning before traveling to Colbinabbin to play at the Colbinabbin Country Hotel, where we later enjoyed a meal and a well deserved drink. Conditions were hot, however the band played with gusto despite the northerly wind. With the weather conditions on the Sunday being much cooler, we had a combined rehearsal with the Rushworth & District Concert Band before playing for the residents of the Waranga Aged Care Hostel and the general public in the centre of town. It was a great weekend away for both bands and we hope that we can do it again in the future.
2022 Wrap Up
It's come to the end of another year at Sunshine Community Brass. While the band didn't get a chance to compeete, thanks to a small outbreak of COVID-19, it was none the less a successful year. With a number of new players coming to the band throughout the year, they have only added to the band in a positive way.
Congratulations to our award winners for 2022:
David Mafileo (Musicial Directors Encouragement Award)
Richard Fryer (Musical Directors Most Improved Player)
Peter Hogarty (Ed Jenkins Memorial Award, Bandsmen of the year)
As we look forward to 2023, there are some exciting events about to happen in the band which will allow the band to showcase itself to the wider community.
VBL Service Awards 2021
At the recent Annual General Meeting of Sunshine Community Brass the following service awards were handed out to the following players:
Alexander Wilson - 3 year youth service award
Marc Mills - 10 year Service award
Peter Fitzgerald - 20 year service award
Paul Fitzgerald - 20 year service award
Georgie Wilson - 25 year NBCA service award
Dennis Humphry - 25 year NBCA service award
Paul Fitzgerald - Badge of Merit
Congratulations to the above for their continued exceptional service to Sunshine Community Brass and to the Victorian Bands League.
Order of Australia Medal
In the 2020 Australia Day Hounours Mr Wayne Bowden was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for service to music, particularly through brass bands. The order reads as follows:
MEDAL (OAM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE GENERAL DIVISION
Mr Wayne Morris BOWDEN, East Keilor VIC 3033
For service to music, particularly through brass bands.
Musical Director, Conductor and Player (since the 1970s)
Legends of Brass.
Hawthorn Band.
Sunshine Brass Band.
Victorian State Youth Brass Band.
Marist Brothers Bendigo Band.
Strathfieldsaye Municipal Band.
Geelong City Band.
Malvern Brass Band.
Diamond Valley Brass Band.
Footscray Yarraville City Band.
Camperdown Fire Brigade Band.
Melton Community Band.
Musical Other
Performer, ANZAC Day ceremonies, nursing homes and prisons.
Guest Conductor and Trainer, several bands in Victoria, South Australia and Western
Australia.
Euphonium Player (including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra).
Former Tutor and Conductor, Youth Music Group Camps, Victorian Bands' League.
Adjudicator
Adjudicator, community band festivals, Australia and New Zealand.
Adjudicator, jazz ensembles and wind bands, Melbourne Bands Festival.
Education
Band Conductor and Tutor, Gilson College, since 2014.
Former Director of Bands and Brass Lecturer, Corio Campus, Geelong Grammar
School, mid-1980s-2013.
Awards and recognition includes:
Victorian Euphonium Champion, 19 times.
Australian National Euphonium Champion, 11 times.
Victorian Trombone Champion, 3 times.
International Soloist of the Year, Ern Keller Memorial Competition, 1991.
Australian and New Zealand Champion of Champions, 1980.
Champion of Champions Trophy, Victorian Bands League, 1980.
Sunshine Community Brass would like to congratulate Wayne on being awarded such an award for his continued service to not only Sunshine Community Brass, but to music and music education,
2016 Tour to St Arnaud/Donald
In October of 2016 Sunshine Community Brass headed to the townships of St Arnaud and Donald to take part in what would become known as "The Empty Suitcase Tour". The aim of this trip was to not only provide musical entertainment to these communities, but to also bring some financial relief to these struggling communities that were in the midst of a drought. As fortune would have it, just prior to leaving on this tour the region was in flood and this brought a new focus to the tour.
Sunshine Community Brass would have the privilege of shopping in the community of Donald before playing that the Donald Show. We then packed our gear and headed back to St Arnaud to play at the St Arnaud Orchard Society show and entertained a large group of people. Later that evening the St Arnaud Citizens Brass Band hosted the band for a combined dinner followed by a combined band rehearsal. It was also at this event that Sunshine Community Brass presented the St Arnaud Band some music for their library and a small donation to help with their Junior band program.
On the Sunday, the band played for an ecumenical church service at the St Arnaud Uniting Church. The small church hall was filled and the congregation sung boldly as the band played the hymns for the service. With rousing applause and constant calls for an encore, the band enjoyed the acoustics of the church by playing a number of numbers after the service before joining the congregation for lunch before heading back to Melbourne.
The trip was enjoyed by all and we look forward to our next country trip in the near future.
New Life Members
In November of 2015 Sunshine Community Brass bestowed the honour of Life Membership to four of its members. These members have shown a commitment to the band which was worthy of such an honour.
Mrs Vicki Worley. Vicki has shown meritorious service to the band throughout her time with the band. She has been a willing participant in all of the bands activities and rarely misses rehearsals or playing commitments for the band. Vicki is a quiet achiever in the band and goes about her business without any fuss. Having been a long term member of the band I believe that Vicki’s service to the band warrants the honour of receiving life membership.
Mrs Joan Baxter. Joan has showed meritorious service to the band through her dedication as a supporter of the band. Whilst not a playing member, Joan has been the bands number one supporter and comes to as many functions and playouts as she possibly can. Joan is not scared to let her feelings be known and has always had the bands interest at heart. I believe that Joan’s service to the band warrants the honour of receiving life membership.
Mrs Joyce Woods. Joyce has showed true dedication towards the band. Being the mother to 2 bandsmen and a wife to another, Joyce’s commitment to the band is unquestionable. Joyce has also served as the bands secretary and remains an avid supporter of the band. Joyce has stuck by Graham and Steve through thick and thin and I believe that Joyce’s service to the band warrants the honour of receiving life membership.
Mrs Pam Tabor. Pam has showed true dedication towards the band. Pam has been an avid supporter of the band and her commitment in support for not only Bob, but others in the band, has proved the test of time. Pam is a quiet achiever and when set a task will go about it without fuss. I believe that Pam’s service to the band warrants the honour of receiving life membership.