S a l e C t y B a n d
Bands Re-Organised
19 December 1871
The Sale Drum and Fife band has been reorganised, and under the instruction of its old bandmaster, Mr. E. Carey, is making very satisfactory progress.
It now numbers 20 members, some of whom formed part of the original. It practises three times a week, and Mr. Carey is hopeful that in a week or two he will be able to bring out a portion to enable the public to judge of the progress made.
Mr. Carey has received a number of new instruments from Melbourne, and has been at a good deal of trouble in getting a few of the old drums put to rights.
The band is desirous of thanking the public for its liberal subscriptions, but the boys now pay a weekly subscription each, thus making it self-supporting. The want of a band has long been felt, and in that respect we are much behind places of far less pretensions. It is, therefore, to be hoped that Mr. Carey's efforts will meet with a due reward, and that in a short time the reproach will be removed that the metropolis of Gippsland had not spirit enough to keep together for any time such a band an almost every little township in the colony possesses.
Instruments Arriving
21 November 1872
We learn with pleasure that Mr G. Chapman Junior, has succeeded in organising a brass band in Sale, and that as soon as the instruments, which are now on the way, arrive from Melbourne practice will be commencing.
Brass Band Formed
4 March 1873
It probably is no news to our readers to be informed that there are two bands in Sale - a drum and fife, and a brass band; but it may be interesting to learn that the brass band which is under the leadership of Mr George Chapman Jun., promises to be a most efficient acquisition to the townhip of Sale.
The members meet twice a week for rehearsal at the remotest part of the town, which in itself has been most advantageous to themselves and the populace - they no being disturbed in their inititatory exercises and the inhabitants not having bored with dull unmeaning sounds.
Such objections, however, have now been displaced, as the efficiency of the performers have attained such a degree of perfection as to be listened to with pleasure, with every promise at no distant period of enlivening the habitutes of the botanical gardens on Saturday afternoons, at least once a month,or adducing an additional attraction to our cricket or football field.
Should the members of this band concede such a favour even at that interval, and it is as much as could be expected as the nature of their occupations in many cases would not permit of more, it wil. be well received.
On Friday evening last a bass drum having been added to the number of instruments, the following airs were rehearsed to marching time: -"Home, Sweet Home," "British Grenadiers" "Cheer Boys Cheer," "Old Folks at Home," and " God Save the Queen," which, taking into account the brief period (10 weeks) the band has been in existance, those who attended as listeners could not help remarking were exceedingly well played.
Each player is the owner of his instrument at his own cost, the total value of the instruments being £65. One noticable thing is that the performers are all members of the temperance societies of Sale.
