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.