Cairns Brass is still in celebratory mood after winning the B Grade Australian National title in Sydney last weekend.
Formed in 1946, the proud community band hails from the coastal city of about 150,000 people located around 900 miles north of the Queensland capital city Brisbane, with months of hard work and fund raising enabling all 40 players and supporters to make the five day trip to Sydney for the Championship.
However, it was all well worthwhile, after their performances of their sacred item, ‘O Magnum Mysterium’, and march ‘The Australasian’, the set work and own choice selections of 'Honaris Causa’ (For the Sake of Honour) and ‘Brass Triumphant’, saw them pip Gunnedah Shire Band No.2 to claim the title for the first since 2001.
Walking on clouds
Conductor John Christodoulides told 4BR: “To win has been phenomenal — we’re still walking on clouds! To perform well is always a great feeling, but to have the quality of our work recognised by an adjudicator in this way is amazing.”
Despite losing many of their young players each year to university, the band has been rejuvenated over the last decade by their long term commitment to ‘growing their own’ in their wonderful tropical climate, as Band Treasurer Kevin Stanley told 4BR.
Grow their own
“We have a training band for the new starters, coming from schools in the area. This band is taken by Julia Russell who works as a music teacher, who in turn works with Maureen Cameron, Brian Hurdley and other members of Cairns Brass — so as you can imagine the music programme is very strong there.”
Kevin added: “We also have a youth band which is taken by our principal cornet player, Andrew Eather and it’s from here that we can draw on the local talent to fill the senior band.
The youth band performs concerts throughout the year to prepare them for the jump into the seniors and the state and national competitions.”
The success at the National Championship is wonderful for the band members and families of Cairns Brass. Everyone loves what they do and it shows in the commitment to contests, but they always know how to keep it real and keep it funCarins Brass
Strong community links
The band (which had its picture taken above for its local newspaper) is also proud of its strong connection with its local community, as Kevin explained.
“One of our major events every year is a concert for Carinya Lodge, which is a care home on the Atherton Tableland about an hour away. This is extremely well attended by the local communities with all the proceeds going to the lodge.
Meanwhile, our annual ‘Brass, Sweat and Tears’ event is our showcase for the band to perform to the people of Cairns. Every year the auditorium is packed with people travelling long distances to come and listen.
The success at the National Championship is wonderful for the band members and families of Cairns Brass. Everyone loves what they do and it shows in the commitment to contests, but they always know how to keep it real and keep it fun.”
