Yarraville Station: 150th Celebration
Scraggers were back in fine form on Saturday November 20th, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Yarraville Station.
Performing under the shade of some beautiful trees next to the station, passers-by and customers at Alfa Bakehouse were pleasantly surprised when the band started up with some fun charts. As an audience gathered, curiously drawn to the sounds of FYCB's fine playing, kids were dancing and adults were tapping their toes.
The performance featured Brenton Burley on the blues, solo cornets (lead by Principal cornet Stuart McCorkelle) playing Christina Aguilera, and tuba player Laszlo Szetey doing his best Baloo impression.
Awards Night 2021
Wow- what an incredible night we've had: a productive rehearsal preparing for the Bendigo Comps, but also an awards ceremony too!
FYCB & WB Life Members Awards
VBL Membership Awards
Band Awards
Online 2021 Nationals a huge success!
The band are very pleased with our results from the online nationals 2021.
The competition was online this year and streamed over the Easter weekend by the wonderful Tim from brassbanned.comDue to the massive interruption to rehearsals in 2020-21 the decision was made by the NSW bands association not to rank the bands, but award either Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze for each submission. Bands could enter whichever pieces in their section that they wanted to. The most popular sections ended up being the sacred item and stage march.FYCB were the only A grade brass band in the country to enter all four sections, and the only A grade band from Victoria to enter. Given the huge Melbourne lockdowns last year, we are so proud to have achieved this.
FYCB results:
Own Choice Major Work: Bronze
Concert Item: Silver
Sacred Item: Silver
Stage March: Silver
Our four performances can be watched on this playlist.
LT :)
Hannah Gadsby Gig an Absolute Hoot!
The mighty Scraggers performed alongside Hannah Gadsby and Zoë Coombs Marr on Sunday 14th of March. The crowd were treated to an upbeat, dance-filled Village People medly.
Nationals Recording Weekend
We have had a very successful weekend of recording for our Nationals entries. Our repertoire includes:
March: The Wizard
Concert Item: Procession to the Minster
Sacred Item: Gammal Fäbodpsalm från Dalarna
Major Work: Spectrum
Listen in over Easter to watch our performances LT
Preparation for Nationals Recording Weekend
So far this year the band have been working towards recording four works to submit for the 2021 Online National Bands Championship.
March: The Wizard
Concert Item: Procession to the Minster
Sacred Item: Gammal Fäbodpsalm från Dalarna
Major Work: Spectrum
As well as our regular Monday and Thursday rehearsals we've had a couple of weekend rehearsals and a handful of sectionals. Dedication paired with a positive attitude has lead to great sounds and much fun (see below) Louisa Trewartha MD
...and we're back!
Williamstown Treated to the Sounds of Brass
A massive congratulations to members of Western Brass, Footscray-Yarraville City Percussion Academy, and Footscray-Yarraville City Band on their performances on Saturday 19th of December at the Williamstown Foreshore Rotunda. This was Western Brass' MD Jared McCunnie's first conducting gig with his band, having been appointed back in February.FYCB will now be working towards the Nationals recording sessions. Can't wait!Louisa MD
In-Person Once More
Finally Band... Not Banned
Following the COVID-normal guidelines the band has been able to meet in-person for the first time since March. Working in ensembles the band played Christmas carols, much to the delight of many park-goers.
FYCB busy online in 2020
The band has continued to shine online, adapting quickly to online meetings since March, 2020.In Term 2 we met for warm-ups and recorded weekly challenges, keeping each other motivated during the difficult period.Throughout Term 3, having gone into lockdown No. 2, the band partook in the Halfa With a Master series. This was a series of 30 minute interviews with 10 professional musicians from around the world who donated their time to chat to host Louisa and the band about all things music: routine, career stories, tools for performance anxiety, repertoire ideas and more. We are so grateful to all the Masters who took the time to chat with us!
In Term 4 we are continuing warm ups and being mentored by three professional musicians in their area of expertise: high brass, low brass, and percussion. Each month band members submit a recording of a piece to receive feedback on. Repertoire themes include: October- articulation and/ or dynamics, November- lyricism, December- own choice.Now that restrictions are easing, we hope to be playing together soon!