Ipswich Model Band

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. "Ipswich Model Band". Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald And General Advertiser. XLVII (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. XLVII (7067). 2 June 1906. p. 4. Retrieved 11 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "Model Band Week to Aid Hall Fund". Queensland Times. Daily (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. XLVIII (8044). 18 October 1906. p. 11. Retrieved 11 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. 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. LXV (11, 721). 31 May 1924. p. 10. Retrieved 12 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "Band Carnival". The Brisbane Courier (20, 970). 9 April 1925. p. 7. Retrieved 12 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "Broadcasting". Townsville Daily Bulletin. LXI (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. XCVIII (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 (9282). Sydney. 3 October 1939. p. 7. Retrieved 12 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. "Rousing Ipswich Reception to Governor-General in Short Visit". Queensland Times. Daily (18, 310). 8 August 1945. p. 2. Retrieved 12 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. "Headquarters for Models". Queensland Times. Daily (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. Worrall, G (23 February 2017). "Model players part of Ipswich history". Queensland Times. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
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