WESTERN BRASS
We cut the mustard.
Welcome to Western Brass
Western Brass, established in 2011, is part of the FYCB incorporation, and like all the other ensembles in the organization, promotes brass music in Melbourne’s western suburbs. It provides graduates of youth bands with the chance to further develop their musical skills in a more advanced ensemble, while also welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds to kickstart their music-making in a friendly, supportive environment.
The band performs regularly at local festivals and community events, including Christmas carols in Yarraville Gardens, and has appeared at the Rising festival with their energetic “Acid Brass” set. They also compete at the C-grade level, earning notable results such as first place at the Grampians Brass Festival and third place at the 2024 Australian National Band Championships and third again at the 2025 event.
Western Brass is made up of the traditional brass band instrumentation—cornets, tenor horns, euphoniums, baritones, trombones, tubas, and percussion—and rehearses on Tuesday nights from 7:30–9:30pm in Maribyrnong. There is no audition to join Western Brass, and the ensemble is open to anyone. Whether you are a seasoned player seeking a relaxed and fun musical outlet or a beginner starting your brass journey, Western Brass offers a vibrant, entertainment-driven community where music and connection go hand in hand.
To inquire about joining email: contact@fycb.org.au
Meet Jared – Our Conductor Extraordinaire
Jared McCunnie was appointed as the third musical director of Western Brass in March 2020. Since picking up the mustard baton, Jared has led the band to a plethora of contest and concert performances, including two resounding performances of Acid Brass at the 2024 Rising Festival, as well as podium finishes at the Grampians Brass Festival in 2022-2024.
Jared is further active in the Australian banding scene as a composer and musician, specialising in writing for large ensembles such as brass bands, concert bands, and big bands. His compositions have been performed in Australasia, Europe, and North America. He has been commissioned by both Australian and international ensembles and soloists.
As a tuba player, he has also been an Australian National Band Champion with Northern Brass in 2015 and Boroondara Brass in 2023.
Jared looks forward to the future of Western Brass as one of Melbourne’s most entertaining community bands.
Western Brass was established in 2011 by the Footscray-Yarraville City Band to promote brass music in the western suburbs of Melbourne. This band gives players an opportunity to further develop their musical skills in a more advanced ensemble and also provides the opportunity for people of all ages to kickstart their music making ambitions in a fun and friendly environment.
As the band grows and develops, more and more opportunities for public performance are provided - including really fun competitions. Western Brass performs all over Australia and Victoria - known for its amazing entertainment performances, regularly winning the Grampians Festival gathering.
Western Brass is a fantastic opportunity for any brass and percussion players to get involved in making music. Just like the Footscray-Yarraville City Band, Western Brass is made up of the instrumentation of a traditional brass band – cornets, tenor horns, euphoniums, tubas, baritones, trombones, and percussion.
Rehearsals are 7:30-9:30pm on Tuesday nights “because we never get a break”.