FYCB Celebrate 150+ years in style!
On November 9th, the Footscray-Yarraville City Band took the stage at the prestigious Melbourne Recital Centre to celebrate 150 years of one of Australia’s greatest brass band traditions. The evening was a spectacular showcase of musical talent, featuring an extraordinary lineup of soloists, including members of the renowned Cory Band (UK) and esteemed brass players from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
The program was packed with variety and brilliance, captivating the audience from start to finish. Highlights included Owen Morris’s electrifying performance of the Harry James Jazz Trumpet Concerto, and the mesmerizing tones of Glyn Williams in the Welsh hymn setting of Myfanwy. Helen Williams, a crowd favorite, charmed the audience with Children of Sanchez and Concerto de Aranjuez on the flugelhorn, while Richard Shirley brought energy and flair with the contemporary piece Clouds for trombone and brass band.
The concert also featured two world premieres, specially commissioned for the occasion. Local composer Louisa Trewartha and UK-based Jock McKenzie contributed brand-new works, met with rapturous applause. Alongside these premieres, the band performed some of the most iconic brass band repertoire from the past 150 years, including Geoffrey Brand’s arrangement of Berlioz’s The Corsair, Elgar’s Nimrod (arranged by Dennis), and the grand finale, Eric Ball’s Kingdom Triumphant.
Adding to the excitement, the concert was recorded by the ABC and fast-tracked for on-air broadcast, where it has been trending on the ABC Listen App. Relive the magic of the night and experience some of the finest brass playing Australia has to offer by streaming the concert here.
This unforgettable evening was a fitting tribute to 150 years of brass band excellence and a proud moment in the history of the Footscray-Yarraville City Band.
FYCB at Victorian Parliament
Thanks to our wonderful local member Katie Hall MP, Footscray Yarraville City Band received special acknowledgement in Parliament last week.
Carols in the Gardens 2024
Don't miss the holiday event of the year - Join us for the 31st annual "Carols in the Gardens" Christmas Spectacular!
Entertainment starts from 7pm on Saturday December 14th.
Experience the magic of the season with an unforgettable night of music, joy, and celebration. Hosted by the multi-award-winning performer Matthew Hetherington, this family-friendly event features:
Performances by internationally and nationally acclaimed vocalists
Accompaniment & performances by Footscray-Yarraville City Band
A spectacular massed choir
A dazzling fireworks display to end the evening with a bang!
Bring your loved ones and join your community for great evening.
We recommend leaving pet dogs at home - fireworks can be scary.
GOLDEN RECORDS CONTINUE
Footscray Yarraville City Band’s Golden Records continue!
Priceless artefacts of Australian Banding History returned to Australia’s best brass band.
Gold Records Return to Footscray-Yarraville City Band!
It was 1975, and Footscray-Yarraville City Band were riding high. They had just returned to Australia victorious after winning the Canadian International Brass Band Championships. They won all three sections and defeated 28 other bands to win the title.
FYCB had just come off a glorious three years, taking out the Australian National Championships in A grade in three consecutive years. Ballarat in 1972, Tanunda in 1973 and Hobart in 1974, winning every category under the baton of Merv Simpson (a feat that has never been replicated in Australian banding).
Bill Darwin, a band member at the time had returned from the Second World War via Canada, where he formed many close contacts and persuaded to band to go to Canada on tour. FYCB toured Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg and finished with the contest in Toronto. The Federal Whitlam Government were pouring money into the Arts at the time, and the band were awarded a $60,000 government grant for the tour.
They returned victorious to an Australia that had seen a disappointing year in the sporting calendar. Australia had lost the cricket and the tennis team cup, and according to Keith Hamilton, former band Secretary and Life Member, this was the only thing the Western Suburbs of Melbourne had to cheer about.
The band recorded their famous album “Victors Return” at studios in North Melbourne, on the Crest Records Label, owned by Marcus Herman. FYCB made 50 cents on every album sold. Once the record label had sold 25,000 records, the band were awarded a gold record for album sales. The gold records were presented a sol out concert at Dallas Brooks Hall, along with a spectacular giant 3 metre record which was paid for by Crest records.
FYCB were so popular at the time, that Linda Phillips, the music critic from the Herald and Weekly Times in Melbourne attended and reviewed every concert, and the publicity was invaluable to the band.
The second record that went gold was recorded at the Camberwell Civic Centre in a TV special, and was titled “Songs of Faith, Hope and Glory”, from which money was donated to the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Current day members of Footscray-Yarraville City band knew about the gold records and were led to believe they were lost when the old band hall was demolished. The story goes that the band had been given notice that their hall was to be demolished and that they had a few weeks to move their gear. But the demolishing crew got in early. The Secretary at the time was driving past the band hall when he saw the wrecking ball hit the band hall. He hurried home and called everyone to get to the band hall to rescue the instruments, trophies and memorabilia. The original records had not been sighted by the band since that day.
The band was contacted by Erin Pearce a few weeks ago to say that she had cleaned up her grandfather’s garage and that she had some memorabilia to return to the band hall. When she arrived at the current band hall to a full rehearsal we were delighted and surprised to see the original gold records returned. Stratton Pearce must have rescued the records and kept them safe all this time.
In a year that we celebrate over 150 years of Footscray-Yarraville City Band, we are thrilled to have the gold records returned to us in mint condition ready to be displayed at our 150 th Celebration Concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre. The band is gearing up for a concert with incredible guest artists from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and Glyn and Helen Willams from Cory Band. FYCB will be drawing from an incredible range of music, the best of the British brass band composers, virtuosic solo works for trumpet, trombone, euphonium and flugelhorn, and orchestral works for brass.
FYCB launch AFL Season for Western Bulldogs
The Footscray Yarraville City Band is honoured to be invited to support the AFL's Western Bulldogs in their launch of the 2024 Men's AFL Season at Whitten Oval on Friday 23 February.
We are delighted to be part of the celebrations as the 2024 playing group are presented with jumpers - while speeches from coaches, leadership and players will all be happening.
It’s a free, family-friendly event with plenty on offer to keep everyone entertained – including a special snap and sign session with the entire team, the Footscray-Yarraville City Band, food trucks and a fan zone packed full of footy activities and giveaways for kids.
The 2024 Season Launch will occur after the scheduled practice matches for both the AFL (11am start) and VFL teams (1:50pm start).
Click here to RSVP and for more information!
2024 Season Launch
Friday, 23 February, 4:00pm AEDT
VU Whitten Oval, West Footscray • Wurundjeri/Boon Wurrung
4pm: Entry open via Cross Street, VU Whitten Oval
4:15pm – 5pm: Player signing session
5pm: Jumper presentations to start
6pm: Approximate finish
Footscray Yarraville City Band was formed in 1869, and has supported football teams in Footscray ever since the 1870s.
2024 marks the FYCB's 150th year of continuous music making, and we are delighted to take the Western Suburbs of Melbourne to stages around Australia.
Chitty Bang Bang on the March
Another vintage performance from the Footscray Yarraville City Band
The Footscray Yarraville City Band had a fantastic February performance as special surprise guests of the Vintage Sports Car Club of Australia.
The band was engaged to surprise members during their annual function at their Parkville club rooms. FYCB performed a 400m entertainment fuelled street march through the back streets of Parkville, drawing a large following crowd before arriving at the black-tie event. The spirited rendition of "Chitty Bang Bang" on the march was met with rapturous applause by members.
FYCB enjoyed hospitality provided by the VSCCA, and returned to play a 15minute standing entertainment set.
It was the band's pleasure to perform for the VSCCA and residents of Parkville, and we look forward to future collaborations!
A Special Presentation
Congratulations John Cornish!
While we were all gathered together at the footy gig, a special presentation was made by our President Kathryn: John Cornish was thanked for his dedication to the band, as he steps down from contesting with us.
You'll still see John performing with us in concerts, as well as with Western Brass.
Thank you John for your many years of contesting with us- you're the epitome of a team player.
FYCB Welcomes New MD!
FYCB would like to officially welcome Louisa Lawless to the position of Musical Director. We've already set to work on our repertoire for States, and we're really excited to be guided by Louisa's expertise.
Read more about Louisa here.
Footy Footy
The Scraggers were delighted to be invited to play for footy fans at the 140th Anniversary of the Western Bulldogs. Playing a selection of covers the crowd were cheered by our fun beats, and swooned by Mr. Byron Crump.
ANZAC Day Parade 2023
It is an honour to march up to the shrine on ANZAC day, to remember and show our endless gratitude to those who suffered so much that we may thrive today. Congratulations to Stuart McCorkelle on his first ANZAC day as Drum Major and well done to our new percussionists.
