FOOTSCRAY YARRAVILLE CITY BAND
The Footscray-Yarraville City Band (FYCB) is one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious musical ensembles, with a world-wide following. From our humble beginnings, we are proud to be taking the name of “Footscray” to the world.
A Melodic Beginning:
The FYCB's story began in 1869 - a time marked by a wave of European migration to Australia. This influx infused the suburbs of Footscray, Kingsville, and Yarraville with rich, diverse musical traditions.
The earliest record of the Footscray Yarraville City Band is found in an 1869 edition of ‘The Williamstown Chronicle’, where it is noted in the minutes of the Footscray Borough Council meeting of January 27th 1869 that:
‘…Mr John Brown junr., on behalf of the Footscray Amateur Brass Band, asking for use of Council Chambers on Friday evenings…’
We presume this was a successful request to use the council chambers as a rehearsal venue. Over 150 years later, we are proud to still be strongly supported by our local council.
The Yarraville Connection:
In 1888, the suburb of Yarraville establised a band that would eventually merge with other local ensembles to form today's FYCB. Despite economic challenges in the 1890s, the passion for music in Footscray and Yarraville was unstoppable. By 1902, bands like the Footscray Municipal Military Band and the Yarraville Citizens Brass Band had also emerged, setting the stage for a rich musical collaboration future.
A Fusion of Melodies:
The 1920s witnessed the amalgamation of Yarraville's and Kingsville's bands, eventually leading to the historic merger in 1961 of the Footscray City Band and the Kingsville-Yarraville Citizens Band. This fusion gave birth to the modern FYCB, a band that not only entertains locally but also dazzles audiences worldwide.
Global Acclaim and Adventures:
FYCB's international fame skyrocketed with tours across Europe and the USA, including memorable performances of ‘The Silent ANZAC’ across Europe and the UK in 2018.
Back home, FYCB achieved groundbreaking feats - winning three consecutive “A Grade” sections of the Australian Championships with a clean sweep in every musical category. This triumph led them to the Canadian National Exhibition Band Contest in 1975, where they once again swept all awards, placing Australian band music firmly on the global map.
1975 - Canadian National Exhibition Band Contest: This tour was a significant milestone for FYCB. They traveled to Canada and participated in the Canadian National Exhibition Band Contest. The band achieved great success, winning all possible musical awards and trophies in its class. The tour included a three-week concert journey starting in Vancouver, moving east across Canada, and culminating in Toronto.
1978 - Around the World Tour: During this tour, FYCB performed in various international locations, further enhancing their global reputation. Key destinations included the Cultural Centre of the Philippines, several venues throughout Switzerland, and a return to Toronto, Canada, where they performed again at the Canadian National Exhibition.
1984 - European Tour: The European Tour in 1984 was another highlight in FYCB's touring history. This tour included a stopover in Singapore, followed by a concert tour in Switzerland. They also visited Foots Cray in Kent, UK, as part of the 125th Anniversary Celebrations of their namesake suburb. The tour concluded with a participation at the prestigious Edinburgh Festival in Scotland.
Members of the band served in World War One - their names inscribed on the inside of an old bass drums. This discovery spurred our critically acclaimed ‘Silent Anzac’ international tour of 2018. Read more about their history here.
Innovative Concerts and Celebrated Tours:
FYCB does not just stop at contests; we transformed brass band concerts in Australia, collaborating with famed artists and selling out major venues like the Dallas Brooks Hall and the Melbourne Concert Hall. We boast the highest profile of any Australian brass band, delighting audiences on a global scale.
A Legacy of Recordings:
FYCB's musical journey has been immortalized in a series of recordings, from the Gold Record-awarded 'Victors Return' to the triumphant recording of 'Trumpets Wild'. FYCB’s album 'Celebration' encapsulates over 40 years of musical mastery. More recently, FYCB has released limited albums of concert performances including the acclaimed ‘Silent ANZAC’.
More than a band:
Continuing to captivate audiences, FYCB remains sought-after on the concert stage and in winning form at National and State contests. The FYCB legacy is not just in music and entertainment, but also in a strong social conscience. The band is proud to support a number of local charities - including local homlessness organisations and their mission to end homelessness.
Join the Musical Voyage:
Experience the Rhythm, Embrace the Legacy – Experience The Footscray-Yarraville City Band LIVE!
