ABOUT US

Founded in March 1977, Western Region Concert Band (WRCB) is a long-established Melbourne community ensemble bringing together talented volunteer woodwind, brass and percussion musicians from across metropolitan Melbourne. WRCB began as a combined Western Suburbs Technical Schools concert band with the aim of giving advanced students from across the western metropolitan region the opportunity to play more sophisticated music than was attempted by their own school bands. The band rehearsed at the then Footscray Technical School under the music direction of Mr Phil Thorn, who was also Instrumental Music Co-ordinator for the region. The teachers of these students were involved as tutors as well as players in the band.

From its beginnings supporting young musicians in Melbourne’s west, WRCB has evolved into an intergenerational community arts organisation with a strong reputation for ambitious, high-quality live performance.

WRCB performs a broad and accessible repertoire spanning contemporary popular music, musical theatre, jazz, classical works and traditional concert band repertoire. Its artistic model combines the depth and scale of a concert band with professional guest artists, vocalists and choirs, creating distinctive productions that connect community musicians with professional Australian performers.

The band was an “A” Grade Victorian State Champion for many of its 49 years, but equally as important, has been a significant contributor to the cultural life of the western suburbs.

Western Region Concert Band is comprised of approximately 40 members primarily from the western suburbs of Melbourne, but also with members from the eastern and northern regions. The players range in age from our youngest at 15 years up to 80+ years of age.

Contributions to community life include performances at local festivals, the Royal Melbourne Show, Senior Citizens Clubs, local Carols by Candlelight, Horse Races, The National Gallery of Victoria, the Melbourne Town Hall, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, ABC’s Iwaki Auditorium at Southbank, Melbourne International Festival, Ballarat’s Begonia Festival as well as holding workshops and combined events with schools and other community concert bands both here and interstate. Western Region Concert Band tour regularly and have toured to the Grampians region, Benalla, Canberra, Tasmania, Adelaide and Sydney.

One of the band’s biggest achievements in recent years was their annual “Last Night of the Proms” concert to sell out crowds of over 1,000 people at each show

Western Region Concert Band is an ensemble consisting of brass, woodwind and percussion instruments. The band has performed with well known artists including James Morrison, Christine Anu, Leo Sayer, Silvie Paladino, Denis Walter, Gina Jeffreys, Colleen Hewett, Normie Rowe, Glenn Shorrock, Mark Vincent, Tripod and Katie Noonan.. Our repertoire is wide and varied from pop, show tunes, classical, jazz and concert band music. Something for everyone!

We rehearse on Saturday mornings and are always looking for new members.