In 1935 it was decided to amalgamate the Bundaberg Excelsior (earlier known as the Burnett Band) and Bundaberg City Bands. The Bundaberg Municipal Band was a truly municipal identity with the council having three representatives on the executive committee. It was also decided by the full council to levy rate payers a quarter of a penny on the general rate to pay for the services of a musical director. The band's first practice room was at a disused fish shop in McLean Street, (where F. C. Brown's Funerals is today). A Boy's Band was formed as a feeder band for the newly formed Bundaberg Municipal Band. The Boy's Band was later to become the Federal Band which was later to become Rum City Band.
The band secured the services of J. J. Kelly, a renowned member of the famous English "Besses of the Barn" band. The newly formed band achieved early success winning the Australasian A Grade Championship in 1939. The founding Drum Major was William (Bill) McLucas who was a member of the Australian Army Training Corps during WW1. The band's proud tradition as a marching outfit was instigated by Bill McLucas who assisted in the training of the band's drum majors. The Wendt family, father Cyril and sons Kevin and Ray, have all won drum major titles and have acted as Drill and Marching Adjudicator. One of our long serving drummers, Kevin Ballantyne founded the Bundaberg Drum Corps and this Anzac Day will be the 66th time he will be participating in the Parade!
The band's emblem became a cheetah after the Prime Minister of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), donated a Cheetah pelt (with nine bullet holes!) to the band. While on display at Buss and Turner's Department store, one claw was tragically stolen. Today, the Bundaberg Municipal Band is one of the elite few Australian bands, whose bass drummer proudly wears a cheetah pelt, not an imitation. Our emblem, a cheetah leaping out of a base drum, adorns our backing cards, banners, our flag, our base drum, mute storage cases and the eye-catching sign outside the band hall.
The band went into recess during WWII and reformed during 1948, contesting in C Grade in that year. In 1950, Bundaberg Municipal Band held a contest in Bundaberg which raised approximately 500 pounds. The profits were used to build the current band hall at the showgrounds. Previous to this the band rehearsed in the Show Ground's Pavilion and Jim Clarke's old Cabinet making shop in Burrum Street.
Fred Laack served as Musical Director from 1946 to 1966 and brought the band from C to A grade, (for one year). The band competed mostly in B Grade during this time. Other band highlights during 50's and 60's include playing: - in Sorley's Revue tent on the banks of the river at showtime; on the verandah of the Austral hall cinema; the Anzac night program on the floor of the Paramount Theatre; under the trees at the Siren of the Surf/Railway picnic with free ginger beer and raspberry drinks.
From the late 60's to the 80's, the Bundaberg Municipal Band has had some great musical directors including R. Skerritt, Fred Coleman and his dad Alan Coleman, B. Kennett, D. Reynolds, D. Finlay, L. Carey and A. Smith. In 1990 our current musical director Robert Rotar took the baton and brought us from C Grade up to B Grade where the band continues to play today. One of Robert's strengths has been his ability to encourage younger players, mentored by older players and maintain the B Grade status of the band. In recent years the band has maintained a high profile in the community with regular concert events. "Best of British I and II", "Classic Brass", "In the Mood", "Myths and Legends", "Tribute" and "Round the World" being just some of the recent themes. The band has also performed with visiting bands both from the US and from within the State. In August the band will host a brass/wind ensemble from Belgium.
Thank you for your support of our 70th Anniversary Concert. If would like to be on our mailing list to receive a quarterly newsletter please leave you details with the Friends of the Band sheet in the foyer.
Thanks to Cyril Wendt, Kevin Ballantyne and Tom McLucas for assisting with the research of this history of the Bundaberg Municipal Band.