Fortress Youth Brass - End of Year Celebrations

Sixteen year old flugel player, Ben Craig-Wadham, writes for 4BRDU about the Fortress Youth Brass.

It’s been an interesting year for the Fortress Youth Brass Band (or FYBB for the cool and initiated) - we’ve picked up some new members, welcomed some old ones back into the fold, and our first full year with a drummer has given us a whole new sense of rhythm. As its members gathered to celebrate our first Annual FYBBBBQ and Awards, it was a time for much eating - but also some reflection on just how far this little brass band has come.

The Salvation Army “Young Peoples Band” as it was first known was established way back in 1913, when many of the Senior Band Members were enlisted as soldiers. Over the next 90-odd years it remained in some form or another, assisting with the Sunday gatherings at the Perth Fortress and wherever else its services were required, but the latest incarnation has grown extensively over the past few years, thanks to the efforts of our current conductor Glyn MacDonald (DPA, B.Mus) .

Currently Principal Trombone for the Perth Salvation Army Band and the A-grade Western Australian Midland Brick Brass Band, Glyn also teaches brass as well as conducting swing bands and brass ensembles (and even a gospel choir) at a number of schools in Perth. On top of all this he’s also a professional jazz pianist, with a trio and an album and Project Manager for JazzNOW!, an organisation that runs an annual student Jazz camp for 70 students, ongoing jam sessions and master classes. Despite all this he still manages to invest a staggering amount of energy into FYBB… and be a husband and father of two children.

Fortress Youth Fun

Under Glyn’s leadership, the band’s membership has more than quadrupled, from just three members to an incredible 16! It was all these members (give or take a few) who gathered at our conductor’s house, last Saturday December 15th where (after the BBQ) we held our first Annual Awards Ceremony - sponsored of course, by none other than renowned  brass website 4 Bars Rest Downunder.

The Most Improved Player Award had to go to James, our drummer. Embodying the entire rhythm section of a brass band isn’t easy, but James’ natural feel and sensitivity has lead him well. The Most Valuable Player Award was more than earned by our solitary tuba player Matthew, whose huge sound has more than compensated for our limited numbers, while Jacinta took home The YouTube Award, after her horn solo clocked up over 1500 views! 

But the stars of the show were Rhys (cornet), Mitchell (trombone), and Matthew (Tuba), who received a Long Service Award of sorts for being the 3 original members of the current FYBB. A very special thanks again to 4 Bars Rest Downunder for providing the $90 worth of vouchers that were given to these 3 dedicated young brass players, who formed the foundation of a band that is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with.

Three long serving members of the Fortress Youth Brass

With a uniform (the beginnings of which were unveiled after the awards), a numbers increase (‘there’s a few tubas waiting in the wings’, Glyn has promised Matt), a pro-recording and even a tour to Singapore all on the table for the next 3 years, things can only get better for a brass band which, maybe, one day, will be too big to fit into our conductors house.

Ben Craig-Wadham

Editors note: Ben  plays cornet/ flugelhorn in the Fortress Youth Brass Band. In 2006 he was shortlisted for the National Jazz Writing Competition, and in 2007 became editor of the Perth Jazz Society Newsletter JazzReview.