RECOLLECTIONS OF THE CANBERRA CITY BAND 1965 – 68
Quite by chance at the Australian National Band Championships in Newcastle at Easter 2023, I came across the Canberra City Band in competition mode. I made myself known to them and was encouraged to send “something” to add to the Band’s records – particularly as it will be celebrating its Centenary in 2025.
My association with the Band started in 1965 when I joined as a 14-year-old trombone player. It continued until the end of 1968 – when I finished school and moved to Sydney for university. My recollections have been aided by some old diaries and photos of mine.
Regrettably, my memory is not as sharp as it once was – which may explain some differences with other recollections and a forgetfulness for names.
Bill Hoffmann
Bill lived not far from us in Empire Circuit. This became handy as I would often catch a ride with him to and from engagements in his smart Wolseley.
As well as being Bandmaster, Bill was Drum Major when we were “on parade”. He always looked smart, but sometimes got carried away and started to toss his mace around a bit. This caused great consternation amongst the trombones in the front rank immediately behind him and distracted us from our music.
He was also the Canberra Times music critic – sometimes under the nom-de-plume of WLH. It has been reported that this sometimes upset a rather superior composer / conductor /musician / teacher in Canberra with similar initials – Wilfrid Holland (I took Theory lessons from him).
Reviews of the Band’s weekend concerts were often reported by WLH – including frequent use of the introduction “A small but appreciative audience … (was in attendance at the Canberra City Band concert at Regatta Point etc.)” – a factual representation of the audience! It became a by-word.
Bill was a marvellous man – a good musician; a good leader; an energetic bandmaster; and a great example to a young man learning the ropes of bands and life.
Financial Arrangements
The Band was generously supported by the Department of the Interior (which “owned” Canberra in those times). I suspect that a key guardian of the Band was the Minister of the Interior – Doug Anthony – whose wife Margot was a talented pianist and supporter of music in the ACT.
I have no recollection of paying any subscriptions to belong (although my father may have met these) and things just “seemed to happen” under Bill’s guidance. Uniforms were provided free (manufactured by the Commonwealth Government Clothing Factory to a pseudo-military design); buses were chartered for trips to Bega; rehearsal spaces were provided; flights and accommodation to Melbourne and Adelaide – I was unaware of the members’ contributions.
Rehearsals
We rehearsed on Monday at 7:30 for 2 hours evenings in the hall of Ainslie Primary School – which was a school hall and not a small theatre! I think all the members provided their own instruments – apart from the Sousaphone and percussion and timpani. There was a small building near the hall which was the Bandroom – holding the library, music stands, instruments, uniforms, and the like. I think it had been specially built for the Band.
The Music
It would be fair to describe the Band’s music as being traditional – but probably in keeping with the times. Marches were in every program – the very traditional British and American works. Overtures were sometimes played – both light classics and from musicals. “Novelty” works were played – such as American Patrol. There was a selection of accompanied instrumental solos in the library that often got an airing. But overall - a “safe” repertoire within the capacities of the musicians.
1967 Anzac Day Invercargill; Sons of the Brave; The Middy; Recessional; Great Little Army.
Our Performances
The Band had a reasonably active performance program. ANZAC Day was fixed firmly in the calendar – as the “town band” we led the ex-service march from St John’s Church up ANZAC Parade to the Memorial and back again. RMC Band led the military guard detachments. It was always a marvellous experience “crunching” up the gravel playing “Voice of the Guns”, “Great Little Army” or similar with the ex-servicemen and women marching behind.
During the year we would play several times at Regatta Point or some other weekend venue; at Canberra Day celebrations; charity fetes; travel locally to Queanbeyan or Yass for their Show Parade; and occasionally a concert in the Albert Hall.
In March 1966 we travelled to Adelaide for the Fourth Festival of Arts and played five concerts and participated in the opening parade.
In October 1966 I have a recollection of playing outside the Canberra Rex Hotel for the visit of US President Johnson – amidst a demonstration, and he didn’t show up!
In October 1967 we travelled to Bega by bus for the weekend for a street march and a Concert.
In September 1967 we had a day trip to Cootamundra for a street march and a concert.
In March 1968 we travelled to Melbourne for the Moomba Parade and 3 associated concerts. The Band stayed at the Savoy Plaza in Spencer Street – “Little Patty” was also staying there!
The Bandsmen
In my time, the Band was a male-only organisation – I think by chance rather than by design.We probably fielded around 25 – 30 bandsmen at any one time.
The only other member under-18 (or maybe even under-21!) was Geoffrey Watson – who was my age. Geoff played percussion and also trombone. He was a good friend, and the two “young’uns” were well looked after by the older members. Geoff was the son of the redoubtable Geoff “Fango” Watson – ex RSM at RMC – but tragically died in 1970 from longstanding diabetes problems.
I particularly recall:
- Harry Trowbridge – Sousaphone player who had served with the RAAF during the War and was a public servant.
- Ian Spencer – a very funny percussionist – timpani, and bass drum on the march
- John Purnell – first? Clarinet. A Canberra identity who had a sports store at Manuka (and longish blond hair!). I think that he led a jazz band (“Cavaliers”?) that included John Sharpe and our first trumpet Paul Herbert
- John Sharpe – first trombone and a great mentor for me (on second trombone). He also had a jazz band called “The Fortified Few”.
- David Fraser – Trombone, a fireman at Fairbairn Airport?
- Steve Pala; Paul Gamp and Reg Hall
Although only a member for a few short years, I was at a formative and impressionable age and the Band provided so many opportunities for me to “grow” and be part of an adult organisation. And the music was good fun too!!
Stephen Maitland
Brisbane
May 2023
