Musical Director: Steven Harmer
The Leeming Concert Band was formed in 1996. The band formed at the initiative of the Specialist Music Teacher at Banksia Park Primary School in Leeming as a result of the very active music programme at the school and the consequential desire of parents to “make music” themselves. The band was formed to give parents and friends who had often wished to play music, or a particular instrument, the opportunity to do so. The band started as a training band, with very simple repertoire as many members had never learnt music or an instrument before. However, the standard steadily improved and concerts moved from school and shopping centre performances to more formal concerts. The Band has continued its progression and musical development from base grade beginners to the point where the Concert Band is now competing in the National and State Band Competitions.
The band has averaged about 8 performances a year over its life and these vary from formal ticketed concerts, through local community gatherings (e.g. Australia day and Carols by Candlelight for the City of Melville) to charity performances. Most members live in the suburbs surrounding our practice venue – Leeming High School.
The Concert Band plays a wide variety of music. We have played well over 300 different pieces in performance over our bands life and have a large number of pieces that we play in rehearsal but have not performed. The music ranges from classical to popular and includes film/theatre medleys, marches and hymns and carols.
The Concert Band rehearses from 8pm until 10pm on Thursday during the school term. We encourage regular attendance but understand that membership of the band needs to fit in with our members other activities and endeavour to maintain a flexible, supportive and coherent group.