The Ipswich Model Band is a marching band formed in Ipswich, Queensland in 1906 and is still active as a community band.[1]

History

Ipswich Model Band were formed early in January 1906 in the south-east Queensland city of that name.[2] The inaugural secretary, George Bizzell, and treasurer, R. Grainger organised the purchase of their early instruments with funds raised by members subscriptions.[2] One of the group's first performances was at the East Ipswich ground of the local rugby union team in June of that year.[3] By October the conductor was Samuel O. Booth and the band held socials to raise further funds.[4][5] In 1915 the conductor was J. W. Bergemeister.[6]

In May 1924 the conductor, Horace J. Harper,[6] celebrated the band's victories in a recent state competition, held at Toowoomba and run by the Queensland Band Association.[7] In April of the following year, at a similar competition, a reporter for The Brisbane Courier observed, "Ipswich Model Band opened well, but lost ground slightly ¡n the serenade. In the succeeding section a strongly marked rallentando was achieved, which made for a pleasing contrast when the livelier tempo was resumed."[8] Harper was conductor from 1920 to 1964.[6]

Performances by the band, in October 1939, were broadcast on national radio stations, 4QN (Townsville),[9] 7NT (Launceston),[10] and 2FC (Sydney).[11] They performed the national anthem for the Australian Governor-General, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, in August 1945 during his visit to Ipswich.[12] Later they "played a specially selected programme. Items were: Marches, 'Invicta' and 'Contemptibles'; song marches, 'Waltzing Matilda', 'There'll Always Be an England', 'We Did It Before so We'll Do It Again' and 'Advance Australia Fair'; song, 'Cherie'."[12]

In October 1954 the band moved into their new headquarters, a hall, in East Ipswich.[4][13] They established a public appeal to fund the purchase.[4] In 1967 it was named, Harper Hall, in honour of their long-term former conductor.[14] As from February 2017 the band still performs, rehearses and meets in the hall.[14] Their repertoire consists of, "Australiana, film and television scores and themes from animated productions."[14]

References

  1. Worrall, Gary (23 February 2017). "Band hunts for talent". The Queensland Times; Ipswich, Qld. p. 2. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Ipswich Model Band". Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald And General Advertiser. Vol. XLVII, no. 7011. 23 January 1906. p. 9. Retrieved 11 October 2019 via National Library of Australia.
  3. "Opening of the New Football Grounds". Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald And General Advertiser. Vol. XLVII, no. 7067. 2 June 1906. p. 4. Retrieved 11 October 2019 via National Library of Australia.
  4. 1 2 3 "Model Band Week to Aid Hall Fund". Queensland Times. Daily. No. 25, 138. 8 October 1954. p. 2. Retrieved 12 October 2019 via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Model Band Social". Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald And General Advertiser. Vol. XLVIII, no. 8044. 18 October 1906. p. 11. Retrieved 11 October 2019 via National Library of Australia.
  6. 1 2 3 Holman, Gavin (January 2019). "Brass Bands of the World - A Historical Directory" (PDF). Academia.edu. p. 50. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  7. "Model Band". Queensland Times. Daily. Vol. LXV, no. 11, 721. 31 May 1924. p. 10. Retrieved 12 October 2019 via National Library of Australia.
  8. "Band Carnival". The Brisbane Courier. No. 20, 970. 9 April 1925. p. 7. Retrieved 12 October 2019 via National Library of Australia.
  9. "Broadcasting". Townsville Daily Bulletin. Vol. LXI, no. 234. 30 September 1939. p. 4. Retrieved 12 October 2019 via National Library of Australia.
  10. "To-Day's Radio Programmes". The Examiner. Late News Edition and Daily. Vol. XCVIII, no. 172. Tasmania, Australia. 3 October 1939. p. 9. Retrieved 12 October 2019 via National Library of Australia.
  11. "On the National Radio To-Night". The Sun. Late Final Extra. No. 9282. Sydney. 3 October 1939. p. 7. Retrieved 12 October 2019 via National Library of Australia.
  12. 1 2 "Rousing Ipswich Reception to Governor-General in Short Visit". Queensland Times. Daily. No. 18, 310. 8 August 1945. p. 2. Retrieved 12 October 2019 via National Library of Australia.
  13. "Headquarters for Models". Queensland Times. Daily. No. 25, 142. 12 October 1954. p. 1. Retrieved 12 October 2019 via National Library of Australia. Note: includes photo of the hall and another of the band performing.
  14. 1 2 3 Worrall, G (23 February 2017). "Model players part of Ipswich history". Queensland Times. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
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