Shepparton Union Brass Band circa 1889.
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“The Shepparton Brass Band was established early (1880s) in the town's history and, like other bands, has had a varied career.
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[In 1889, the band was renamed the Shepparton Union Brass Band.]
In circa 1923, a split took place in the band, and Shepparton had two good bands as the outcome.
The Shepparton Town Band was composed of most of the older members and was conducted by Mr Beaman, the new band being called the Shepparton Model Band, which was conducted by Mr R J McCaskill.
The bands were rival institutions and were successful in many competitions, the honours being about equally divided in most cases.
It is interesting to note that thousands of pounds were raised through rival factions for the support of both bands, and feeling was rife in the town over their merits as musical organisations.
Unfortunately, both bands fell into bad times and became almost defunct.
About six years ago, efforts were made to reorganise a band, and through the work of Cr A T B Goyen, the present band was organised from the remnants of the two old bands.
This time it was called the Shepparton District Brass Band.
Its life has been more or less up and down, and it has had several conductors.
Recently, with a degree of enthusiasm on the part of citizens, it has had a new lease of life.
The present conductor is Mr Frank Young.
Shepparton has had various other bands in past history, among which was a drum and fife band.
In 1933, a Mouth Organ Band was organised, known as the Shepparton Mouth Organ Band, conducted by Mr Frank Young.
Mouth Organ and Plectrum Band in the 1930s.
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This organisation in 1934 had a rival known as the Shepparton Ambulance Harmonica Band, under Mr J. Freeman's conductorship.
Shepparton and District Brass Band.
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Both bands had given good service to the town and had engaged successfully in competitions.” (Source: History of Shepparton 1838-1938 by W.S. James)
A Sunday night concert advert from the Shepparton Advertiser, 1934.
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Bill Scott continues the story in his booklet The Brass Band Heritage:
“After the war, the band was known as the Shepparton Municipal Brass Band and then the Shepparton and District Band until Shepparton became a city in 1950 and the band became the Shepparton City Band.
The City Band struggled for a while and faded in the early 1950s.
Upon reformation in 1957, Jock Patterson was the Band Master, and they wore purple blazers.
Bandsmen would often play with the other bands to bolster numbers for special occasions.
Frank Young finally hung up his baton in 1969, ending a magnificent contribution of 51 years to music in Shepparton.
He had also been leader of the 'Blue Moon Dance Orchestra' and 'the Shepparton Mouth Organ Band' and provided music for the silent movies.
The City Band battled from 1960 onwards, and eventually, both bands (City and Youth Club Bands) amalgamated in 1969 under the direction of Band Master Lyle Galbraith and Drum Major Ray McPhee.
Other musical directors have been Alan Pocock, Ian Spencer, Jeff Cable, Bill Scott, Brian Davis, Ossie Jellyman and Steve Sargant.
Life members of the band are Garry Pearson, Sid Curtis, Lyle Galbraith, John Kerkof, Leo Tracey and Paul Watson.
Presidents have been Harold Price, Lyle Galbraith, Col McCracken, Allan Armstrong, Paul Watson and Bill Scott.
This wonderful tradition has been continued up to the present, and today (2007), the band is now performing as the Shepparton Brass Band (the original name of the band in the 1880s).
Under the direction of Ossie Jellyman, the band performs regularly in the community and leads the parade each year on Anzac Day.”
Geoff Allemand is an amateur photographer and Lost Shepparton Facebook page admin. Please share your Pics from the Past at pastpics@mmg.com.au
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