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The year is drawing to a close, with only a few jobs left before the christmas/new year break.

The recent "Brass and Male Voice" concert, held at the entertainment centre was a trememdous success. The Town hall was very near filled, an audience the size of which the band has not seen before. Discussions are being held about a possible recording of the evening, but these are as yet, far from final.

The Thursday night band is progressing strongly, with a number of new players now attending regularly. The band has been seen performing at various events around town, including the botanic gardens, as well as selected retirement villages. The concerts played are always well received, and appreciated.

The Junior band is rehearsing hard, as they have committed to go to the National Band Competition in Brisbane next year. Well done! The Juniors are running a raffle to help raise funds, the details of which are:

Another busy couple of months around the banding circuit! Lets start from the top...

The Senior band has competed in the State Championships, held a few weeks ago. Many comments were returned, saying how much the band has improved since the last time it competed, and this was evident from the fact they won the 'Hymn'. This is the first time in recent history the band has won the Hymn, a significant achievement. Well done guys!

The Thursday band has not been sitting still either, with a number of performances around Wollongong. These included the Spring into Corrimal, and a couple at the retirement villages around the City. All performances are well received, and the band should be congratulated on their achievements.

The Junior band also competed at the State Championships, winning the own choice, and coming second overall in the Junior A-Grade level. This band shows no signs of slowing down, as they now have their sights set on the National Championships in Brisbane next year. It will be a lot of hard work to get there, but as they say, "Where there is a will, there is a way". Good luck Juniors!

The Band picnic went ahead last weekend. Both bands (Thursday and Senior) played a lively concert, followed by a delicious BBQ lunch. The game of football that followed was just what the doctor ordered!! (We had to work off the sausages :)

Around the site i have made a few minor updates - the engagements page is now up-to-date, the senior band pages have been updated to reflect the arrival of new members, and of course the picnic page has been added. I will endeavor to upload some of the missing photos soon!

Well done everyone in the band, this is normally the low season for us, so to be as busy as we all are is quite an achievement.

A couple of minor updates around the site, with the House Page receiving some attention - sorry, photos will be there next week (I have to take them first!). Junior, Thursday and Senior bands are ALL playing a concert at Stuart Park in Wollongong on the 23rd July. We will follow up with a picnic/BBQ lunch. Don't bring your uniform, rather, wear your band t-shirt (or neat casual if you don't have one, or if it is too cold for only a t-shirt). I haven't heard anyone not being able to make it, so it should be a good get-to-know-you for the band!!

The Senior band competed at the Hunter Regional Championships last weekend. The band played a spectacular concert, and was very well received by the audience. We didn't win any trophies, but it was the best we have played in any recent competition, so congratulations to all who played, and of course Andy for his expert conducting!

Congratulations Andrew, John and Steve on winning your respective state junior championship sections!. Well done also to Lachlan J, Lachlan A, Paul, Peter and Ken on your Solo placings. To everyone who played, thankyou for representing the band so professionally.

Best of luck to all those competing at the NSW State Championships on the weekend!!

The Magic of Brass, at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Bruce Gordon Theatre
May 14th, 7:30 pm. Ph 42263366 to book your reserved seat
An amazing concert, featuring John Foster, National EEb Tuba Champion, along with other spectacular soloists, and of course all the fun and excitement you come to expect from your local brass band! Pieces include 'Stage Centre', 'Black Magic Woman' and the bands own choice for the upcoming Hunter region championships, 'Laudate Dominum'. Lead by Andy Yule, the concert will be one not to be missed!!

The band is looking forward to the various ANZAC day jobs coming up this weekend.

Don't forget about the AGM in the bandhall on the 20th May!! Please email or call (0439 723843) if you have any queries on how to vote, how to run for a position etc. We are always looking for 'new blood' in the committee!! :)

Welcome back for the new year!! Already the band is gearing up for the various concerts and competitions we are playing in. A few highlights will be: The East coast Championships and an Arcadians concert for the Seniors, ANZAC Day for the Intermediates, and the State Championships for the Juniors.

Check back here often for the latest news about the band this year, and if you are a member, keep your eye on that engagements list - we need you to be there!! :-)

Don't forget to let the secretary know if you would like to come to the bands Christmas party on the 17th December!! bc@1earth.net

Congratulations to Andy and the Senior Band on making it through to the Finals night of the Battle of the Bands!! It will be held at the St Marys Band Club in Sydney on the 28th November. Come support them!!

Kaylene and Andrew played at the MACPAS finals night on the 31st October, coming 1st and 2nd respectively. Nice going guys!! :)

Don't forget your tickets for the Anniversary concert on the 20th November!! (See picture below). Call IPAC Box office on 4226 3366

The photos on the Junior and Senior band pages are getting a little out-of-date... one day i will get around to changing them, but if you would like to send me an up-to-date picture of yourself, i will be happy to post it here.
you can send it as an attachment to cwbb@insysco.net.au

Congratulations to all members who played at the recent Macarthur District eisteddfod. Andrew and Kaylene have been selected to play at the MACPAS finals night, on the 30th October. Best of luck to you both!

Tickets are now on sale for the biggest and best concert in the bands history - the 70th Anniversary Concert! Phone 02 4226 3366 to reserve your seat. The best seats in the house will go fast, so don't miss out!!

The Junior band competed in their first competition as A-Grade on the 12th September. After performing very well they were awarded 1st place for their own choice, and 3rd place for both the Hymn and Test Pieces. Congratulations everyone, you worked hard and it certainly paid off.

Keep an eye out for the band's 70th Anniversary Concert, held at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre on the 20th November. Reserved seats go on sale soon, and the best spots always go first. Get in soon to ensure a good seat for this momentous occasion!! Adults $25, Children $18. Phone 02 4226 3366 (IPAC Box Office) or visit www.ipac.org.au

Good luck to the Junior Band, competing on the 12th September in the NSW State Band Championships. They are entered for the first time in A-Grade, having won B-grade a number of times now.

The survey sent around after the AGM has come back with a strong 'No' vote. As such, the committee won't be making any arrangements for the band to compete in the (Adelaide) Nationals in 2005. Obviously, individuals in the band may still make their way down to compete in Solo events.

Recently the band was given notice of the impending resignation of the Musical Director, Tara Grimm. This resignation has since gone into effect. Tara has indicated she is willing to stay on as a conductor, working with the Junior Band. We wish her the best of luck for the future.

The band has been advertising the position of MD, and have received a number of excellent responses. We will begin sorting through these and introducing them to the band soon. Until then, the Acting Musical Director, Andy Yule, will take control of the musical planning for the band.

The pages outlining the players in the bands are getting a little out of date, I will start the (long) process of updating them soon. Please be patient with this...

Keep an eye open for the next concert at the IPAC!! We will release exact details a little later, but for now, keep November 20th free, you won't regret it!

Well done to everyone who played on Saturday. The concert was a little down in numbers, however, those who did attend seemed to have had an enjoyable night. Congratulations band.

Following discussions held at the AGM, a document gauging interest in a trip to the National Championships will be distributed this week in band. Please look out for it, and e-mail me if you do not receive one (cwbb@insysco.net.au). I will not be posting a pdf version online.
Don't forget, the deadline to return the enclosed questionnaire is 25/6/04!.
A minor update to the document has been made already - Dates for the competition are 24th - 26th March inclusive. See the engagements page for day-to-day program.

Congratulations to all who competed in the Sydney Metropolitan Championships held last weekend at Bankstown Grammer School. Our band was again well represented by you all.

Don't forget to tell everyone you know about the bands latest concert 'Soulful Brass'! Tickets are on sale at IPAC Box office. Call 42263366 to book your seats.

I have posted a copy of the band's constitution in the 'The Committee' page. It is a requirement that each member of the band have access to a copy of this document. Feel free to download and view at your leisure.

Congratulations to all on what i understand to be a highly successful Anzac Day. This year was another record - The band was represented at FIVE jobs! Thank you to John Dent and his helper for their help at Oak Flats Bowling Club.

Don't forget your tickets for the band's May 22nd Concert! Phone IPAC today on 42263366 to reserve your seat.

Another long time since an update here...

Updates i have made today include going through the various band's sites, and updating player positions, and where applicable, removing out of date photos. In the next few weeks new photos will be uploaded.
Also added is a Committee page, where you can identify which members in the band are on the Committee. If applicable, their roles within the band are noted there as well.

Tickets for the Band's next concert on May 22nd will soon go on sale. Our concerts are increasingly popular, so you may want to get in early. Tickets are $22 for Adults, and $18 Concession. Contact IPAC Box Office on (02) 4226 3366 to reserve your seat today!!

Anyway, congratulations to all who played in the State Championships. Junior band was the stand out performer, winning their "Junior B-Grade" division. All the results will be posted in the next newsletter.

More recent news includes the Macarthur eisteddfod, held yesterday (27/9/03).
Wollongong was well represented, with stand-out achievements from Lachlan Adair, winning the intermediate championship, and Wiebe Wilbers winning the Open Championship. Andrew Comensoli and Wiebe will also go on to play at the MACPAS finals night, held in Campbelltown RSL (Carberry Lane, Campbelltown) on the 26th of October. Entry to this is free.

Tickets for the Band's Proms Concert on November 15th are now on sale. The concert will include traditional pieces such as Pomp and Circumstance, British Sea Songs, plus solo and duet items, and of course, the Award Winning Junior Band. Tickets are $22 for Adults, and $18 Concession. Contact IPAC Box Office on (02) 4226 3366 to reserve your seat today!!

Congratulations to all who competed in the Wollongong eisteddfod recently. Notable achievements include Kate and Josh, taking out a 1st and 2nd respectively, Raffaele, who won a second, and Ken and Wiebe, both achieving a third place.

Don't forget, the Social Band is up and running on a Tuesday night from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. All are most welcome to attend.

Also, Good Luck to all the soloists and quartets/ensembles entered in the State Competition, held in Bankstown Grammer School next weekend.

Congratulation's to all who represented the band at the Sydney Metropolitan Championships on the weekend. Excellent results were achieved by the players, including the winning of the aggregate shield. The results will all be posted in the next newsletter.

The band held it's May concert in IPAC not long ago, incorporating the Junior band in it. From all reports the night was a success, despite a slight drop in ticket sales. Congratulations to all who played on the night.

The band also played (yesterday) in the Northern Illawarra Uniting Church, in a fundraising concert for a group of people going to East Timor, to help set up a reliable water supply, build housing, and much more for a community there. The band wishes all the best to those going over.

On Tuesday the 27th of May, the Social Band will commence rehearsals. Anyone is most welcome to come along. 7:30pm at the bandhall until about 9:00. Exact rehearsal times will be finalized on the night, after consultation with the band. Here is a note handed out recently regarding the Social band

For those who don't already know, we competed in the Australasian Brass Band Championships held in Newcastle during Easter. The Junior band was once again the standout performer, winning all four of their sections (Own Choice, Test, Stage March, Hymn). They are also now the National Marching Champions., Thanks to our excellent Drum Major, Rod Nairn.

The senior band also did quite well, placing 6th overall in their section. Quite an improvement on previous placings. For photo's from the weekend, click here

Don't forget to buy your tickets for the bands next concert at IPAC on May 17th!! They are on sale now, and selling fast.

For anyone interested in the upcoming 3rd band being formed, to be known as the Social Band, we will start rehearsals after the bands AGM in May. An exact date is yet to be set The purpose of this band will be to play a little more interesting (and easier) music, hopefully creating a band of standard between the current Juniors and Seniors.

And finally, the band now has a mailing list. Send an e-mail to wollongongbrass-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to subscribe. From this list, information such as upcoming band jobs, last minute changes to music repertoire etc. etc. The PDF version of the newsletter can also be sent out if you wish.

Tickets for the Band's Concert "From Gershwin to Disney" on May 17th are now on sale. The concert will feature musical items from Gershwin, Walt Disney, even Bob the Builder, and many many more.... The Junior band will also be featured.
Tickets are $22 for Adults, and $18 Concession. Contact IPAC Box Office on (02) 4226 3366 to reserve your seat today!!

In other news, yet another page has been added to this website. The latest page will be a running account of the band's house, located behind the hall in Wollongong. Why not take a look at what Ron and his team have been up to...

Yesterday another page was added to this site, dedicated to the National Championships being held in Newcastle at Easter this year. Any new information received will be posted there, except any accommodation details (Too personal for the Internet :-). Click Here to view it.

In other news, the Ern Kellar competition held on Sunday at St Mary's Band Club was once again a success. Whilst our quartet was not one of the prize winners, they played very well, and certainly did not disgrace the band. Winners on the night were Joe Cook from Tasmania in the soloist section, and Warratah in the Quartet and band sections. Congratulations to them all.

It's Been a while since an update here, so I thought I would post information regarding the upcoming Ern Kellar Night... As in previous years, the band has a quartet entered, Kaylene, Ken, Lachlan and Wiebe will be playing, and it would be great to have some band members there to cheer them on!! It will be held on the 23rd of February, at St. Mary's Band Club in Sydney. In addition to the Quartet section, there is also a soloist division, with some of the best players in Australia competing. Feel free to e-mail me for any further information... cwbb@insysco.net.au

Unfortunately, due to very low numbers, the music camp will not go ahead this year, at least not in the January school holidays anyway.

There are, however, plans to try again later this year. Hopefully with a little more warning, there will better numbers, and thus make the camp once again, an enjoyable and worthwhile experience.

A new page has been added today, "Engagements" will (hopefully) remain an up-to-date itinerary of the band's upcoming concerts and playouts.

Are you worried your Video8, Hi8, Betamax, or other home movies are losing quality? Are the machines to drive these formats becoming harder, and more expensive to fix? Then let me help. I can convert your home video's into DVD, readable on any home DVD player. The import is of highest quality, as are the disks used. One DVD disk can hold up to one hour of video. Cost is $20 per disk, plus disk cost. This comes to approximately $31 per hour of video you wish to convert. Keep in mind, that these disks will last MUCH longer than any tape system. If you are interested, or would like more details, please feel free to e-mail me, at wiebe@insysco.net.au.

Congratulation to Lachlan Dellar, who won the MACPAS award on the weekend. Congratulations also to Fiona Williams and Wiebe Wilbers, who came second and third respectively.

Don't forget to buy your tickets for the Brass at the Proms, November 9th at The Illawarra Performing Arts Centre. The concert will include traditional pieces such as Pomp and Circumstance, plus solo items, and of course, the Award Winning Junior Band. Tickets are $22 for Adults, and $18 Concession. Contact IPAC Box Office on (02) 4226 3366

Congratulations to Ron Sunderland on his Life Membership with the band. An award well deserved.

A sad farewell to longtime player Doug Soden. After playing with the band for most of his life, Doug is moving out of Wollongong. We hope you enjoy your new banding environment, playing on your new Tenor Horn...

Congratulations to all those who played in the Macarthur Eisteddfod held last weekend. Excellent results were achieved each day, with highlights of Kate Sebben and her win in the Junior Championship, Sarah Meldrum and her win in the Intermediate Championship, and the three finalists in the MACPAS award; Fiona Williams, Lachlan Dellar and Wiebe Wilbers. Ken Milner was originally the third finalist, but he had to pull out. A full list of results will of course be included in the next band newsletter.

Tickets for the Band's Proms Concert on November 9th are now on sale. The concert will include traditional pieces such as Pomp and Circumstance, plus solo items, and of course, the Award Winning Junior Band. Tickets are $22 for Adults, and $18 Concession. Contact IPAC Box Office on (02) 4226 3366 to reserve your seat today!!

Congratulations to Tara and Tony Grimm on the arrival of their first child. A Baby girl, named Sidney. The band wishes you both well, and hope to see you back at rehearsals soon!!

Congratulations also to Bob Wallbaum on the Life Membership he was awarded from the Band Association of NSW at the State Band Championships held recently.

The Junior Band has won the Junior B-Grade section at the NSW State Championships, very deserving too... they were a whopping 18 points in the lead!!

The Senior band also competed, but were not as successful as the juniors. They finished 5th in their section, however, are confident about competing again. We have only recently been promoted to Open B Grade, where the other bands we played against were brought down from A-Grade.

City of Wollongong Junior Brass Band Christmas Raffle
1st Prize	PSP Valued at $399	Supported by
2nd Prize	Gift Voucher Valued at $60	Donated by Wollongong Music Centre
3rd Prize	Christmas Candles Valued at $20	Donated by G & H Jones
Tickets are only $1 Each, Drawn on Monday, 19th December, 2005 For further details, including how to buy tickets, please contact Hazel at hazelj@uow.edu.au