Portland Citizens' Brass Band in Portland, Victoria | Band
Portland Citizens' Brass Band
Locality: Portland, Victoria
Phone: +61 427 074 248
Address: 58a Julia Street 3305 Portland, VIC, Australia
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23.01.2022 Please enjoy our 2nd place scoring quartet hymn "Ave Verum Corpus" Members in this video are Emma and Louise on Cornet, Jess on Euphonium and Brian on Trombone
22.01.2022 A few of our members entered this year's State Solo and ensemble competition through the VBL. Through today's link you will be able to find 4 of our members who entered the solo sections Open bass trombone: Brian Healy Open Euphonium: Jess Finnigan Junior Euphonium: Libby Gass and ex member Quaid ... Well done to everyone who entered! Results will be released on Sunday See more
20.01.2022 PCBB Player Profile Name: Thomas Sanderson Seat in Band: 3rd Cornet... What instrument do you currently play and how many years have you been playing it? Cornet for 18months Can you play any other instruments? I have had lessons on piano, violin and clarinet but have had a go at several others. What is your favourite thing about being a PCBB member? Joining all the individual parts together to bring the music to life. If you could have any piece of music arranged to play for brass band, what would it be and why?The Holy City. I enjoy playing it on piano. Do you have a favourite band memory? The challenge of learning to march... and play at the same time. It was really difficult at the start, and still isn't easy. Have you ever played with any other bands? Viewbank College school concert bands. What advice would you give to anyone thinking about starting to learn a brass instrument? Give it a go and you might be surprised how much you enjoy it. If you could choose the first piece to play when rehearsals resume, what would it be? Caribbean Variation on a tune. What footy team do you go for? Essendon What is the most dare Devil activity you have ever done? Hanging from the boom on a yacht (out over the water) to tilt the yacht to get through shallow water. What is one skill you wish you had? To be able to weld really well. If you could have free lessons on any instrument in the world, what would it be and why? Guitar, as it is a great solo instrument for all occasions. Thanks Thomas for a great interview!
19.01.2022 Today our MD has turned 30!!! We would love to wish Emma a massive HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY! She is a wonderful band leader and friend to so many! We look forward to celebrating with an awesome rehearsal once restrictions are eased!... WE LOVE YOU EMMA!
17.01.2022 Check this out!
13.01.2022 Today the duets and small ensembles have been released for viewing. Some really great performances all round.
11.01.2022 PCBB Player Profile Name: Lisa Chellis When did you join the PCBB and what was it that encouraged you to join? ... I joined PCBB in November 2018. I decided to join to make up numbers because my son Cass, flugelhorn player in the band, was leaving to go to university. What instrument do you currently play in the band, and have you played anything else during your time with us? I currently play baritone but started on euphonium. Do you have a favourite memory (or two) of your time in the band? My favourite memory is playing Old Rugged Cross standing up with the other baritones at the end of the 160th birthday performance for the band. It's a beautiful song and we played it as a mass band piece so there weren't enough chairs. There were 3 of us baritones swaying away while playing. It was pure joy. What has been your proudest moment in the band? My proudest moment was playing the solo of Can You Feel The Love Tonight at the 160th birthday performance after only learning my instrument for 6 months or so. It was equal parts terrifying and wonderful. What do you think is the most appealing thing about joining the band? The most appealing thing about joining the band is contributing to making the music come alive. Every part of an arrangement is important and the sound wraps around you like a blanket What is your favourite piece of music to play? My favourite piece of music is probably Barnard Castle. It there was one skill in life you could master, what would it be? The one skill I'd love to master is holding my breath for as long as I need to (or rather, making it last). What type of performances would you like to see the band do in the future? I'd love our band to do more afternoon park concerts. Picture the audience with their glass of wine, cheese and crackers. Possibly some of that wine for us afterwards. In your opinion, what is the most important instrument in the band? The most important instrument in the band is drum kit. If the beat is off, we're going to sound dreadful.
11.01.2022 PCBB Player Profile Name: Brian Healy What instrument do you play in the band? Can you play any other instruments? Or rather, are there any instruments you can’t play? ... I play bass trombone in the band and sometimes Eb bass (tuba). I can play lots of instruments to varying degrees. Rather than saying there are instruments I can't play I would say there are instruments I haven't had time to learn. Except the tenor horn, the mouthpiece size just doesn't work for me. When did you join the band? I'm not sure but sometime in the early 2000s maybe 2002. What do you feel is the most enjoyable part of being a member? I love playing music with other people and the Portland Citizens Brass Band is one of my favourite groups of people. The band is a very caring and supportive group and we have fun together, What has been the most memorable occasion during your time with the band? Lots of memorable moments: When we got super saturated one ANZAC day. Winning the marching and competing at Nationals. Playing I Wanna Be Like You in a monkey costume at Mt Gambier, to name a few. If you could choose any event for the band to perform at, what would it be? Our 160th Caberet Concert was great and I think that is a really good fit for our band, so another cabaret concert - maybe to celebrate the end of restrictions (after a enough rehearsal time of course). If you could change the bands uniform colour, what colour would our jackets be and why? I don't think I would change our uniforms but if everyone wanted to I think we could look back to the early days of the band and take inspiration from there. Do you have a favourite piece of brass band music? So many favourites: marches like Florentiner to bigger works like Ross Roy. One I've enjoyed in every band I've played in is Amparito Roca. I loved playing Dark Side of the Moon with Eureka Brass. When I heard Wellington play Fraternity at the Nationals, that was a magic moment, I love the piece but that performance was really special. If you could have any piece of music re arranged for brass band what would you choose? At the moment it would be something by Frank Zappa (going through a phase). Maybe something not too difficult like Sofa. Do you know any useless musical facts we might find interesting? The original name for the trombone is sackbutt. Probably why it is always the butt of music jokes. If you could invite any famous musician to join our band, who would it be and why? It would be great to have a feature soloist like bass trombone player Ben Van Dijk. He has a great sound and has played with brass bands before. He also seems like he would be a fun person to perform with. Thanks Brian!
09.01.2022 It is so sad to see fantastic events such as this needing to be cancelled. However please know that our band members are all looking forward to being back practicing together and being able to play out in public once more.
06.01.2022 As you may have read in our previous posts, we had a few entries this year for the VBL State Solo and Ensemble Competition! Due to Covid, everything had to be filmed virtually. However- we still had heaps of fun creating our entries! First up today you can enjoy our Musical Director Emma and Assistant Conductor Brian performing "Posh Duet No. 5"
04.01.2022 PCBB Player Profile Name: Benjamin Hockley Seat in Band: Percussionist ... How old are you and how long have you been in the band: 17, and around 7 years apparently! Do you play any other instruments: No, but I’m not too shabby at singing What is your favourite song to play in the band: The Mission Impossible Theme and The Muppets Show theme. Bring on the pop culture tunes! If you could have super powers what would they be and why: Teleportation. Seems very convenient! Levitation is a close second. I’m very lazy. If you could be a pro on any other instrument in our band what would you play and why: The drumkit! Never hurts to get better. What's your funniest memory of being in the band: During a Wood Wine and Roses march, I was on the cymbals, and one of them fell off the strap and crashed onto the ground, someone helped me pick it up. It definitely wasn’t funny at the time but it certainly is now What's your favourite thing about band: I get to make music happen with a bunch of people, it’s a team effort that makes some great noise. It’s very satisfying, especially when an audience is involved. What are some other hobbies you enjoy: I’m way into acting and performing arts Have you learned any cool new skills during iso: The only thing I’ve learned over iso is how much I take school for granted. I may be going insane. Whats your favourite animal: Dingo! If someone asked you if/why they should Join the band, what would you say to them: You can’t, we’re on hiatus at the moment. Haven’t you watched the news?! Thanks Ben for an enjoyable interview!!
03.01.2022 PCBB Player Profile Name: Cyril Cram - better known to all players as Poppy Seat in Band: Baritone... When did you join the band? I actually joined the Band twice, the first time was very short and I was about 15, I tried the cornet but it was too hard so I started the tenor Horn, The next time was when Roger started and I (on the first night) sat at the back to listenTom Baker came up and said you were here some years ago what did you play? He then arrived back with a book and a battered but playable Tenor Horn , gave to me and said take this home and learn it. So about 38 years. What instruments have you played within the PCBB? Only two, the Tenor Horn, Baritone Can you play any other instruments? As a youngster I learned the Piano, We have always encouraged anyone to start with this instrument (Hence my children probably hated us sometimes when it was their turn to learn), (but all of us never regretted it) Why did you join the band? I have always loved music, from believe it or not singing to playing. What is your favourite thing about being a PCBB member? Where do I start, the friendship, comradeship, and of course having a Daughter and five Granddaughters playing in the Band with me. Do you have a funny story or band memory you would like to share? I have lots but I particularly remember one of our Band Trips when certain members, who know who they were, needed to stop and the Bus continued on for a while with them following behind. We love to dress up in costumes for some gigs- do you have a favourite costume? And why? The Ghostbusters because of the reaction of the Crowd. Have you played with any other bands? No What is your favourite band piece/s to play or listen to? I love some of the Hymns and really I don’t have a favourite, just any music is great. What hobbies do you enjoy outside of band? I have been a volunteer in various organisations since my very early years, and my most enjoyable ones have been youth oriented ones, but now it is mainly the local Coast Guard. If a stranger asked you why they should join our band, what would you tell them?If you love music and an organisation that has great comradeship as well as being able to be taught to play if needed, then the PCCB is the one for you! Thanks Poppy for the wonderful interview!!
02.01.2022 PCBB Player Profile Name: Maddi Cram Seat in Band: Flugelhorn ... What instruments have you played in our band and how many years have you been a member? I think i've been a member for about 13 years?I play Flugelhorn now, but I've also played drums/percussion, tenor horn and a little bit of trombone in junior band Can you play any other non-brass instruments? I also play guitar What is your favourite thing about being a PCBB member? All the different competitions and events we get to be a part of (Nationals, States, playing with different ensembles and other bands, camps, workshops, playing in Stardust, playing on the tram) If you could have any piece of music arranged to play for brass band, what would it be and why? Probably a disney movie soundtrack or medley. They're always fun to play and people enjoy listening to them Do you have a favourite band memory? Going to nationals in 2018 Have you ever played with any other bands? I play guitar with Since Tuesday What advice would you give to anyone thinking about starting to learn a brass instrument? Stick to it and keep practicing! If you could choose the first piece to play when rehearsals resume, what would it be? A good march like HSB or Barnard Castle because everyone enjoys playing them Whats a hobby you enjoy outside of making music? Cooking and baking What is the most dare Devil activity you have ever done? Travelled across the Nullaboor on the back of dad's motorbike What is one skill you wish you had? To be able to play any instrument or maybe to be able to speak any language If you could travel anywhere in the world for a holiday, where would it be and why? I'd like to travel around Australia, because there's so much of it I haven't seen yet Thanks for a great interview Maddi!
