Historic Annual Reports

REPORT. NO. 1. Bandroom.

We are forced to hold rehearsals in an unsuitable bandroom. It is a room where a large amount of furniture is stored and chairs are suspended from the rafters, these interfere with the acoustics. It is a very dirty room, we are unable to bring visitors in because the room is not enticing.

The room is not available at all times to the Members. The entrance to the room is very dangerous and almost impossible for a stranger to locate. We should have a room which would be more in keeping with the art of music: a room where photographs of other bands and bandsmen could be hung. This tends to create deeper interest in music and musicians and a room where the Members can meet on nights other than practice nights. We are badly in need of seating accommodation, chairs are required in the place of the forms at present in use, which are difficult to place in suitable positions to obtain best results.

UNIFORMS : We have not a uniform. at present, this fact being brought home to us very definately during the visit of the ·band to Bairnsdale on Saturday the 18th inst. A uniform is very necessary if the band is to appear on the March, and also visit neighbouring Towns. The very sight of a band nicely uniformed on the March is quite a treat in itself, and while' playing is a source of extreme pleasure to both onlookers and Bandsmen. I trust a very definate step will be taken in this direction immediately, and that the band will be fitted out with a first-class uniform.

INSTRUMENTS: The majority of our instruments are in a very bad state of repair, and also much worn. The only really good instrument we possess are 1 Bass, 1 Trombone, 1 Eupho, I Tenor Horn. The balance (with exception of Comets and 1 Trombone - privately owned) are in a very great measure responsible for the fact that the bandsmen cannot obtain best results and it is impossible to tune same, and we suffer considerably in balance and tone.

IMPROVEMENT AND DISCIPLINE.

Since taking charge of your band, I am very proud to report good progress in playing. This applies almost without exception to each and every Member of the Band. This is due to the great interest the members take in their work, and to the strict attention the bandsmen pay to myself. They never fail to endeavour to master the tasks set for them and are always ready to improve their knowledge .....

I congratulate the Members of the Band on their playing and their conduct at the Bairnsdale Hospital Carnival. Their playing, conduct and marching brought quite a lot of kindly remarks from the prominent people in that Town.

In conclusion, Thankyou one and all,

A Matthews. Bandmaster
March 1922