WELCOME to the RIVERINA CONCERT BAND

 

The Riverina Concert Band is the only concert band in Wagga, which is open to all citizens of the district. Most big bands of our type are school based and obviously cater for their own pupils. We have a proud history of achievement as a provider of entertainment at many venues in and around Wagga. We have marched every year on Anzac day since the bandπs inception 34 years ago. The Riverina Concert Band is in fact a continuation of the original WWCC Brass Band of the 1950πs, which has gone through several name changes and has been serviced by many conductors over this period.

 

Dr. Roland Bannister, founder of the Conservatorium & Riverina Concert Band, was responsible for moving the band in its present direction, overseeing the transition from Brass to Concert Band in 1982. His leadership has been carried forward by such notables as Mjr Peter Grant, presently OC Kapooka Band, who arrived in Wagga just in time to carry out a major restructure, building the band membership to over 60 players. Mjr. Andrea Davey and Lt Col.Pat Picket both past OCπs of Kapooka Band also played a pivotal role in keeping the band on track. A number of talented musicians from Kapooka have provided a continuing stream of energy and expertise over the years as musical directors. Our present conductor, Peter Matheson (Australian Army Band Kapooka ) took us last year to our first State Band Competition for many years, giving the band valuable experience.

 

The band practises each Tuesday at 7.30 at the Conservatorium, playing popular and traditional band pieces. RCB incorporates all the concert band instruments, flute, clarinet, saxes (including soprano & baritone), trumpets, French horn, trombone, euphonium & tuba. We are fortunate to also have a bassoon player, who at present doubles on percussion. Past conductor Michael Beaton introduced vocalists who we now feature on a regular basis. RCB numbers fluctuate, at present we have about 40 members of all ages from early high school to senior retirees. We field about 35 of these players at our playouts, which include the Festival of Flowers & Music at St. Johnπs, the WWCC Farmers Markets, the Wagga Jazz Festival, invitation Live Steam Rally in the Botanic Gardens, Christmas in main street, Carols by Candlelight, Christmas eve in Athol Street, concerts in Humula, Lavender farm, Junee, Ganmain, Cootamundra, Festival of the Falling Leaf in Tumut, etc.

 

The band is always on the lookout for new members to replace our school leavers who move out of town each year to follow their career paths. Several of our members have gone on to become professional musicians in army bands and orchestras, an indication of the valuable role that the band plays in fostering musical talent. This is one of our core objectives; to make available a forum for all interested musicians to further their talents, while providing listening enjoyment to the citizens of Wagga and district.

 

The Riverina Concert Band is supported by Riverina Conservatorium of Music, Wagga Wagga City Council and Wagga Mutual Credit Union.

 

Prepared by Michael Pym, treasurer and historian for RCB. Michael has been with the band through all its manifestations from 1956.