The more recent past

More recently there had been a strong senior concert band based at Yass High School, with most of the Shire's public schools hosting 'feeder' beginner bands.  This project was set up by bandsman Geoff Townsend and music teacher Kerrie England in the early 1990s.  They built an excellent program over time which was supported by several professional instrumental tutors and a few of the more advanced band members.  One of the more notable visiting conductors was ex-Australian Army Band Corps performer and Director Colin Fischer.

When Geoff and Kerrie left the school David Greenwood took on the band program for a couple of years, but after his departure in 2010 it all fizzled out, and nothing has yet successfully taken its place there.

In 2019 Robin Winterflood (now our Band Manager) began to put together a concert band in and for the Yass Valley Shire.   Unfortunately the COVID-19 years (with their associated 'lock-downs') made things difficult, but a small cohort struggled through that period under a succession of musical directors.  In March 2022 long-term Murrumbateman resident Bryan Hooley was asked to take on the Musical Director's role, and due to the subsequent relaxation of COVID restrictions in New South Wales (and a regular weekly rehearsal time) the venture has developed rapidly since.

2022 saw a combined bands workshop in Carey's Cave at Wee Jasper in August (together with several bands from both Canberra and Young directed by Rodney Clancy).  This was followed by the YVCB's first public performance in Binalong in October.  The band, which has now incorporated, currently averages over 20 musicians at rehearsals and performances, with all sections represented, and plays a wide range of music stylistically.

The Present

The goal this year is to develop a larger repertoire and to aim to improve technically and musically while continuing to foster an enjoyment of music-making amongst the members, and a general musical appreciation amongst players and audiences alike.  We also plan to increase the number of performances of various kinds as opportunities come to hand.

Two of our members have started a beginner band this year with the aim of providing younger people in the community an opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument and participate in a band program suited to their level of development.  The plan is that the new program will fill a 'feeder' role for the senior band into the future.  A recent tour of several of the Shire's schools was staged in March to raise our profile and to invite students to join the program. 

So, as you can see, after a somewhat shaky beginning there is now plenty happening, and we invite you to join us if your interests and skills lie in similar directions.

Our Musical Director

Bryan Hooley was born and raised in Papua New Guinea in a musical family within a broader creative school and community environment.   After finishing Year 12 there he returned to Australia to complete his musical studies at the Canberra School of Music and the then Canberra College of Advanced Education (now the University of Canberra) and has spent much of his career in teaching, tutoring, arranging, composing, performing and directing in the Yass/Canberra region.  His musical tastes are eclectic and his philosophy is to promote music-making of all kinds in the community and to help individuals and groups to develop the tools to do this well.

Our Deputy Directors

Sarah Eldred and Robin Winterflood, both strong musicians and experienced educators, have taken the lead with the  beginner band initiative, and we look forward to watching the program develop.