The
Toowoomba Municipal Band has been in existence since 1922,
although it has operated in Toowoomba under other names i.e The
Austral Band as early as the 1870's.
The Band has represented Toowoomba for over
70 years at District, State and National competitions and has been
successful in 'C', 'B' and 'A' grades during that time.
In the late 1960's and early 1970's it was
one of Australia's top 'A' Grade brass bands. In the 1980's and
early 1990's it successfully competed in 'C' and 'B' Grades, winning
the Queensland 'C' grade Championship in 1986.
1994, saw us winning the Queensland 'B' Grade
Championship under the direction of Mr. Edward Kennedy.
1997 & 1999, were also very successful
for us, winning the Queensland 'B' grade championship again. This
time under the direction of Lorraine Skerman.
2003, and we win the Queensland 'B' grade
championship under Mal Gaydon.
Succeeding years has continued
to see us win and gain places in a variety of local, state and national
competitions.
In recent years, we have started and developed
a Number 2 Band which we see as being an essential aid in the
training of future Senior Band players.
The Number 2's in their own right have
met with great success as well, competing at a variety of competitions
in 'D' grade and outclassing the competition to such a degree,
that they were elevated to 'C' grade.
Both bands performed so well during the
2005 Queensland State Championships that they both won their respective
grades. Holding two championship titles at the same time, is no
mean feat, with the bands being justifiably proud of this achievement.
Both Bands continue to live up to the title
of Municipal by performing at many public functions such as ANZAC
day, Carols and a variety of openings and special events.
The Number 1 Band
is currently under the directorship of Mal Gaydon. We continue
to strive for ever greater heights under his experienced hand,
with the band meeting with much success and positive comment.
The Number 2 Band is currently directed
by Graham Anderson. It is Graham's constant encouragement that
enables the Number 2 members to continue to improve and thus move
on to bolster the ranks of the Number 1 Band. With both bands continuing to move forward
in their endeavours to constantly improve in all facets of brass
playing, the future would seem to hold as much, if not more success
as the past has already revealed. |
