A Brief History

Armidale City Band has a very long history, and has provided musical entertainment to Armidale and District Citizens for 144 years. On December 16, 1878, Armidale City Band was formed and named at a public meeting chaired by the Mayor and the election of a Secretary and Treasurer followed.

In 1889 a bandmaster was appointed who was already the Bandmaster of the local J Company Volunteer Movement Band, and being a very capable musician was able to control both bands as separate identities. Having so many musicians under his control, this musical combination could only mean Brass Band music in Armidale was on a strong foundation. This was the start of Armidale City Band’s involvement with the military.

On September 20, 1894 a well attended Meeting of Citizens was held at the old Town Hall to consider the best means of assisting to carry on the Armidale Band. It was resolved with the formation of a Citizens Committee of 14. Processes were put in place and the future of the band was secure.

The band developed over the next 30 years and in 1908 was very successful, winning the Inter-State A Grade Band Contest and the right to hold the Besson Challenge Cup for twelve months.

Armidale City Band was able to continue through the 1st World War with the band being classed as a Regimental Band in 1914. Many of its members also became a part of the 33rd Battalion Band, formed in Armidale at the camp based at the Armidale Showground.

In 1930 the Military Authorities demanded that all instruments belonging to them be returned due to the disbanding of the 33rd Battalion. This amounted to more than half of Armidale City Band instruments.

Representation was made to the Military Authority to ask if it was possible to amalgamate the new 2nd Cavalry Band 12th Light Horse with Armidale City Band. This was agreed upon provided the Council assumed the responsibility.

Our long time serving member George Charlton was a member of both bands and went to the 2nd World War in 1940 with 14 other members of Armidale City Band.

The 2nd World War made it difficult for the band to function properly. Armidale City Band was reduced to 12 junior members, but fortunately had a strong committee with President Mannix, Secretary Piddington and Treasurer Gibson. Mid 1943 saw the appointment of a coach, Les Evans. The Senior Band was soon up and running again and he was elected by the committee as the new Bandmaster

In September 1960, Geoff Wells accepted the position of Bandmaster. By this time the Armidale City Bands’ involvement with the military 12th/16th Hunter River Lances had ceased so Its members were now more readily available for public performances.

With progress in the central business district of Armidale in the early 80’s by K Mart, our Band Room, built in 1906 on a Crown Reserve, was marked for demolition. Having Trevor Reid as our newly appointed Musical Director, a large committee and with the assistance of Bill McCarthy MLA and the Land Board Officers in Armidale, the band was able to persuade the Developers and the City Council to allow our new Band Room to be built in 1982 in the North East corner of Market Square fronting Dumaresq Street. The band was supported by the Council with interest free loans to build the band room in 1982, and then the purchase of a full set of Besson Sovereign instruments in 1987. The band finances at the time coming from the running of Housie on Friday nights in the East Armidale Hall.

In July 1994 the band appointed Ossie Jellyman as the Musical Director, he was immediately given the responsibility of having the band ready for the Centenary celebrations of the Citizens Committee. The band competed in “D” Grade at the Centenary National Band Championships in Sydney in 1996. This was a great achievement for the band, as it had been 100 years since the band attended its first Inter-Colonial contest which was held in Sydney on 7^th November 1896.

David Brown joined the band in December 2000 after he graduated from the University of New England. He was then appointed Musical Director in August 2002. The band won the NSW D Grade Championships in 2002 and 2012 under David’s direction and he is the longest serving Bandmaster/Musical Director in the bands history, giving 14 years service.

Upon David’s retirement in May 2015, Principal cornet Robyn Shanahan volunteered to take on the band as the Musical Director for what she thought would be for a few months until the position could be filled, this turned into three years and three months.

The committee welcomed Vanessa Bartley-Heterick to the position of Musical Director in August 2018. Venessa was Musical Director until January 2020. The band has advertised the position of musical Director and is keen to have the position filled and can be contacted through the links on our Home Page.

Our major fund raising activities are our Breakfast with the Band supported by local Service Clubs, our Christmas Raffle supported by members of the public and the odd concert.

The band’s most important performances each year are for Australia Day, Anzac Day and HMAS Armidale, along with many Christmas carol performances in the lead-up to Christmas.

Armidale Regional Council, loyal supporters and the local Service Clubs have given great assistance to Armidale City Band over 144 years. Their support has helped the band live up to its motto, “We Strive for Harmony” and has helped to keep going what is believed to be one of the oldest continual running Brass Bands in the State, and possibly Australia.

At the Start of 2020, the Band was invited to perform at Guyra at the Lamb and Potato festival, followed by an Australia Day performance. Unfortunately, the Bands usual ANZAC ceremonies were cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Robyn Shanahan was the band's loan representative performing the last post and reverie at a local ceremony. Due to the Pandemic, the Band's yearly Pancake Breakfast fundraising event was cancelled and the band had an extended break from performing during this historic time.

Happily, the Band has recommenced rehearsals in with a COVID safety plan and is observing social distancing in the band hall. We are once again performing for the community and welcome new and old Brass players to join us. We have many restored instruments for hire if you do not have one yourself and Robyn is getting our music folders set up with new music.