History

Wynyard Municipal Band History 

The Wynyard Municipal Concert Band has existed in one form or another since the last decade of the 19^th century.

Reference is made  in the Wellington Times of July 6^th 1895 to “a brilliant gathering  ---- at the plain and fancy dress ball ---in aid of  the funds of the  Wynyard Brass Band --- it was anticipated that the net proceeds would be 15 pounds.”  The most favourable reports of the band’s  performance suggest the players had been together for some time prior to 1895!

In 1912 the band became known as the Wynyard and  Somerset Public Brass Band but soon reverted to its original name.

In 1926 the band had 29 players under the direction of bandmaster Bill Dowling. Band membership ensured voting rights and  admission to the Grand Invitation Concert. The band performed at the Yolla Sports Day and held a concert in the Princess Theatre.

By the 1930’s the “ Great Depression” was adversely affecting  the fortunes of the band.  In financial trouble, the band used what money it had and asked Council for a 10 pounds donation but inevitably found itself in an untenable financial situation. At the AGM of 1931 it was moved that the band go into recess for 3 months. The “recess” lasted much longer than the anticipated time because of the extended effects of the depression and World War 2.   It was 1954 before the band was reformed. From 1934 the band’s instruments were on loan to the Burnie Marine Board Band.

The band was reformed as the Wynyard Municipal Band in 1954 with Syd Bock as the bandmaster and Geoff Littler as the secretary.

Above photo taken at the 1956 Wynyard Agricultural & Pastoral Society Annual Show, seventeen months after the band reformed. It was the first appearance in their new uniforms. No females were in the band, as brass bands were an all male dominated organisation. Wives and friends worked behind the scenes on the Ladies Committee, which raised funds by various means such as street stalls, etc. The Ladies Committee raised a major part of the funds for the new uniforms.

The band grew to the extent that in 1961 the members started a building fund to construct their “own” bandroom on land leased from Council. The fund was started with  20 pounds from the general account. Council was asked for land on a 99 year lease.

Leon Thomas was appointed bandmaster in 1961, but on his transfer from Wynyard in 1962 Syd Bock resumed the band’s musical directorship.

Geoff Duniam was appointed Bandmaster in 1964. On the 5^th March 1966 the first working bee was held to dig the foundations for the bandroom. Ernie Johnson was appointed Clerk of Works and  with the aid of much voluntary labour the building was completed eighteen months later.

In 1968 the Council continued its strong support of the band by purchasing a complete set of new low pitch instruments for its use.

Geoff Duniam was succeeded by Bill Schilder as the bandmaster in 1972. In the same year the Barney Lusted Memorial Award was instituted to recognise the Bandsperson of the Year.

New uniforms were bought in March 1973. The number of players waxed and waned in this decade to the extent the band had insufficient numbers to perform for Anzac Day in 1973.

In 1974 Bill Shilder resigned and was succeeded by Jack Ling with the assistance of Jack Lusted.

To foster the young musical talent that existed within the community a junior band was formed in 1980 under the leadership of Peter Ling. A “ concert band” format was adopted to allow for a wider range of instruments and to parallel the instrumental teaching happening in schools. Not surprisingly in 1982 the senior band converted to a concert format.

The decisions taken were successful and by 1983 the band consisted of 48 players with an average age of 14 years.

In 1985 well known local musician and music teacher Andy Farrell was appointed as bandmaster and adopted the name of “Wood  Wyn’d  ‘n Brass”. Under Andy’s leadership the band took on a higher public profile, performing at the BiCentennial Concert in Hobart and the Hobart Christmas Parades in 1988, 1989, and 1990.

The bandrooms were affected by a fire on August 31^st, 1989 causing  $8921 damage.

Tom Goninon was appointed bandmaster in 1990. Tom was a teacher and had formed the Kentish Band at Sheffield and the King Island School Concert Band  during his teaching appointments to those places. Tom extended the training program at Wynyard by creating two development bands- a Beginner band and an Intermediate band. The senior band performed with distinction at the “ Tasmanian Festival of Music” in Launceston, and toured Victoria in 1998.

In 1998 Stephen Loring was appointed to the position of Musical Director of the band,  with Tom Goninon looking after the training bands until 2002. David Wilson, Wendy Bryant and Lindi Spicer  lead the development bands from 2003 to 2004 after Tom moved to Hobart. The band performed at local civic occasions and regular concerts , and played at Deloraine and Queenstown. In 2003 it was awarded first place in the Open band or orchestra section of the Burnie Eisteddfod.

 With more than 70 players in the senior and training bands it became necessary to increase the size of the bandrooms.

A submission was made to the Council which approved a $125,000 extension to the bandrooms. Work commenced in April 2003 and the official opening was held on August 16^th of the same year. Current and former players as well as musicians from other bands celebrated the opening by playing in the new room and later in the day a concert was performed by the Wynyard band and soloists.

From mid 2004 the Beginner and Training bands were combined to form one development band. In 2005 a new Beginner Band was formed, and between 2006-2008 both Beginner and Development bands continued to rehearse weekly, the Beginners under the leadership of Stephen Loring, and the Development Band under David Wilson.

In September 2006, the Clarence City Band travelled up to join with the band for a weekend of music, culminating in a combined concert at the CCC Complex in Wynyard. The following year, the Senior Band made the trip south in early August to take part in combined concert at the Bellerive Uniting Church Hall. That weekend will be remembered by all for the wonderful musical experience, for the comraderie between the two bands, and for a number of unfortunate, but hilarious, mishaps by members, one of which won the hapless band member the Plonker of the Year Award!

The band re-entered the Burnie Eisteddfod in 2007 after several years' break, gaining third place for their rendition of two pieces - Primordial Overture and Southern Folk Rhapsody. This was followed in 2008 by achieving equal second place for Chronicles of Narnia. At the end of November, the band celebrated with Stephen Loring his 10th Anniversary Concert, at which time he announced he would not be continuing on as Music Director in 2009. Just prior to Christmas, Thomas Lamb was appointed Music Director for 2009.

The Senior Band recommenced rehearsals at the end of January. The first week of March 2009 will see approximately 15 prospective players commence in this year's Beginner Band under the direction of our new Music Director, Thomas Lamb. Last year's Beginner Band has become the new Development Band, and will continue under the leadership of David Wilson.