Old Buggers in Banding

Jack Lapthorne

Jack Lapthorne is an amazing old bugger. At the age of 88 he plays Second Baritone with Marion City Band in South Australia – and the remarkable thing about this is that after a 66-year break from playing, he took it up again at the age of 86!

Jack Lapthorne, 2005

Jack Lapthorne was born in Exeter, South Australia, and has always lived in this State. As a youngster he was constantly involved in musical pursuits – singing in the St Bedes Church of England choir as an 11-year-old boy soprano, learning the piano and studying music theory, and at the age of 16, joining the Royal Australian Naval Reserve Band. He started in this band on Eb Bass, moved to flugelhorn and eventually found himself on cornet. After three years, Jack left the band to pursue a musical career that unfortunately never eventuated.

Jack Lapthorne aged 11, choirboy at St Bedes Church of England, Semaphore, South Australia.

Jack Lapthorne in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve Band, 1934.

When the Second World War broke out, Jack enlisted in the Air Force as a wireless operator. On returning, Jack tried to pursue his interest in music and applied for a music-teaching course at the Melbourne Conservatorium. He was interviewed by Bernard Heinz but was told that, at the age of 24, he was too old. Jack never completely gave up on music, but had to resign himself to the fact that a career in music would never happen for him, so he studied and became an accountant.

He married his wife, Norma Sarah, in Richmond, Melbourne in 1943. They have two daughters and one grandchild. Jack opened his own accounting practice in 1961 and retired in 1994: after 78 years!

In 1935, after leaving the RANRB, Jack became a member of the Holden Motorwork Male Voice Choir (now the Metropolitan Male Choir of South Australia). A highlight for Jack was singing with the choir in the Royal Albert Hall in 1994 in a combined male voice concert, organised by London Welsh choirs.

Jack Lapthorne in the Holden Motorwork Male Voice Choir, 1939.

The Metropolitan Male Choir of South Australia, 2000 - spot Jack!

In 2002, after retiring from the choir, Jack responded to an advertisement in the local newspaper for Marion City Band. After 66 years, Jack picked up a brass instrument again; he took home a euphonium over Christmas and joined the band in January 2003.

Jack lives in Plympton, South Australia, with his wife. They built the house there in 1947 and it was the first house in the street. He is very active – Jack exercises every day, enjoys gardening, prefers to ride his bike rather than take the car to Glenelg (14km round trip), plays the Werlitzer Organ at church, reads and listens to music, and of course practices the baritone for at least one hour per day, often more.

Jack - early to band practice again!

Jack rarely misses a rehearsal or engagement. He is the first to learn all his parts. He is such a valued band member – his sprightly demeanor and optimistic attitude would surely put many younger people to shame.

Jack loved posing for this one! This is the Baritone page of Marion City Band's 2006 Calendar.

He involves himself with vigour in social activities – just recently we had a ‘pajama' rehearsal. Most of us got right into the spirit of it, some thought they were perhaps a bit too ‘mature', but not Jack! He was right in there wearing his splendid night attire!

Next week is ‘crazy hair' rehearsal………can't wait!

Veronica Bowman