Profile Interview - Jason Mears

Jason Mears has made his mark in Australian banding and now looks forward to success with Darebin City Brass-Preston Band.

Jason Mears was born in Geelong and began his musical training at five years of age with encouragement from his parents. His first teacher was his dad (John Mears). Other teachers who gave Jason musical direction during his early years included Wayne and Christina Bowden, and Michael Butcher.

At the age of 11 Jason won the 1984 Australian National Junior Flugel Horn Section at Canberra and was placed second in the Champion of Champions. He also played on permit with Strathfieldsaye Band who won the open B Grade section under the direction of Wayne Bowden.

Jason has been successful at many competitions at National at State levels winning the Open Trumpet at Sydney in 1992 and placing 2nd in the Open Cornet in Launceston in 1993 and Newcastle in 1997. He also won the 1989 and 1991 Victorian State Champion of Champions on Cornet.

His first introduction to brass bands was the Geelong West Brass Band which he joined at the age of five. In 1983, he joined the Footscray-Yarraville Brass Band and held the position of Principal Cornet at the age of 17.

In 1993 Jason joined the Hawthorn Band and was part of the successful team that won four National Championships and the 1994 North American Brass Band Championships in North Carolina. In 1996, Jason was appointed to the Principal Cornet chair of Hawthorn, and at the time was the youngest ever principal.

Jason moved to Melbourne in 1991 and began his Bachelor of Music Performance at the Victorian College of the Arts, studying under Geoffrey Payne and Robert Sims. During this time Jason performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as a casual trumpet player.

As a conductor Jason has gained many years of experience despite his young age. In 1992, Jason was appointed as the conductor of the Hyde Street Youth Band. He enjoyed great success winning the Victorian Junior B Grade Championships in 1993 and 1994 with the band. They also competed as a D Grade Band and in 1993 won the Bendigo Eisteddfod, Victorian Championships and the "Merv Simpson" award for the most outstanding contesting band. In 1994 the band was promoted to Junior "A" Grade and Open "C" Grade.

Jason was appointed conductor of the Sunshine Band in 1995 and the band finished 2nd at Victorian Championships in 1996 and 1997.

In June 1998 he was appointed Musical Director of the Moorabbin Brass Band and the they enjoyed the most successful period in the bands long and proud history. Moorabbin won the 2001 (first ever) and 2002 C Grade National Championships and finished 2nd in 1999 and 2000. Moorabbin Brass Band were promoted to "B" Grade in April of 2002 and finished 2nd at their first attempt at the New South Wales State Championships winning the Own Choice section. The band finished 3rd at the National "B" Grade Championships in 2005. At State Level Moorabbin won the 2000 and 2001 "C" Grade Championship at Ballarat and the "B" Grade State Championships in 2004.

The Mears Family

Moorabbin also competed regularly at the La Trobe Valley Eisteddfod winning Open "C" Grade in 2000 and 2001 and "B" Grade in 2003 and 2004, and also winning the "A" Grade section in 2003. The band was also awarded the "Merv Simpson" award for the most outstanding contesting band in 2003. Jason resigned as Conductor of the Moorabbin Brass Band in June 2005.

Darebin - winning quintet Traralgon 2005

Jason was appointed Musical Director of Darebin City Brass–Preston Band in March 2005. The band finished mid-range at the Australian Championships in Adelaide. In May of last year the band won the Bendigo Eisteddfod for the first time in 12 years, and finished a very close 2nd at the La Trobe Valley Eisteddfod.

Jason is a Brass Teacher at Mazenod College and this year sees him begin his 10th year there. He continues to produce many students and currently has many students playing with Darebin. Jason and the Darebin City Brass-Preston Band are looking forward to competing in Brisbane and have a busy 18 months, culminating with a tour and competing at the New Zealand Nationals in 2007.

Jason and Michael Mears