The Box Hill City Brass Band was formed in 1889. The bands first performance was on 24th May of that year.

The following article is cited from a Year 12 Australian History Option (1988) by Brendan Johnson:

Contents

Hypothesis and Question

Introduction

A brief history of the band

The Peculiarity of the Box Hill Region

Middle and Working Class Tastes and Values

Nationalism

Imperial Loyalty

The Growing American Musical and Cultural Influence

Conclusion

Footnotes, Bibliography & Acknowledgements

Hypothesis and Question

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Hypothesis

"In the period 1889-1945, the development of the Box Hill City Band and the music it played, reflected the identity of Australian society in that period. Characteristics such as the peculiarity of the Box Hill region, middle- and working-class tastes and values, nationalism, imperial loyalty, and a growing American musical and cultural influence, were represented in the band."

Question

How was the identity of Australia reflected in the development of the Box Hill City Band and the music it played during the period 1889-1945?

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Introduction

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Since they became popular in the early 19th century, brass bands have served a valuable purpose in the entertainment of a broad cross-section of communities in many nations. In Australia in the period 1880-1945, brass bands not only entertained, but provided a focus for community celebrations, social activities, and family entertainment. They were symbols of community pride, and a symbol of identity for many suburban and rural people.

A brass band was part of the life of the community. "In Box Hill, a bandstand had pride of place in the centre of the township, and regular recitals were popular events."(1) Recitals by the band served a social function and encouraged families to spend time together. Brass bands contributed greatly to the cultural development of communities in this period, and were probably the largest cultural influence before the common introduction of wireless sets. Since their popularisation, bands have reached a broad cross-section of communities and have played at a variety of functions including municipal activities, fetes, churches, parades, charity functions, popular celebrations, openings, race meetings and football matches.

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A brief history of the band

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The Box Hill City Brass Band was formed in early 1889 and first performed on 24th May 1889 for the Queen Victoria birthday celebrations. The "Box Hill Reporter" recorded the event:

"The Box Hill Temperance Brass Band, though only formed a couple of months has made excellent progress. The members took a prominent part in the memorial stone celebration on Queen's Birthday, and acquitted themselves in a highly credible manner. With a little more practice the band, when they get uniforms, will both in appearance and instrumental ability, be equal to any around Melbourne."(2)

The "memorial stone celebration" refers to the opening of a new Shire Hall in Box Hill, where a foundation stone was laid. "On the appointed day - 24th May - a gala procession wended its way from the Recreation Hall to the site of the new Shire Hall, with Councillors, former Councillors, and guests accompanied by the Box Hill Temperance Brass Band (which one contemporary was obliged to note, 'paid more attention to sound than to light and shade')".(3) Thus, the career of the Box Hill City Brass Band had begun, however it faced an arduous path over the next ten years, as several collapses occurred. A photo of the band in 1890 names the band as the Box Hill United Methodists Brass Band, which suggests a change of administration took place. On September 27th 1895 the "Box Hill Reporter" published an article regarding the Band, which included this excerpt:

"This band seems to have had a somewhat chequered career. Formerly it was connected with the temperance society here: the cold water element, however was too weak to sustain it and collapse No. 1 followed. It was then taken in hand by a more general committee and just as efficiency on the part of its members was anticipated, collapse No. 2 came. It is now feared that nothing can prevent a general break-up, but we sincerely hope such will not be the case."(4)

The band did continue with the sponsorship of the newspaper and was known as the "Reporter District Brass Band". It continued under this name for some years until it became known as the Box Hill District Band, and when the city was proclaimed in 1927 was re-named Box Hill City Band.

"During the 1920's the Band was very active and in 1926 won the "C" Grade contests at Melbourne Exhibition and Wonthaggi. During the following decade the Band had the distinction of playing before Vice-Royalty on many occasions".(5) Shortly before the start of World War 2 the Band closed down - presumably because of the number of members enlisting in the forces - and it was not until 1949 that steps were taken to reform the Band, which continues today.

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The Peculiarity of the Box Hill Region

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During the 1890's, the Box Hill area was peculiar compared with other districts in Melbourne. The social composition of Box Hill was changing against the typical flow of other areas. An Eastern band of suburbs (Hawthorn, Camberwell, Nunawading, Burwood and Box Hill) were becoming increasingly conservative in their nature. Organisations such as Temperance Societies and the Women's Christian Temperance Union were becoming more and more popular, and participated in many projects to distract young men from the "temptations of hotels". The Box Hill Temperance Brass Band was one such project, which aimed to get young men out of the pubs, so that they could do something constructive.

"The W.C.T.U. was a comparatively new but rapidly-growing organisation dedicated to mobilising women to become the upholders of honesty, virtue and sobriety."(6) They had their first triumph at a Local Option Poll in 1890 when ratepayers rejected any increase in the number of hotels in the district. This reflected the increasing numbers of Protestants, Methodists and Presbyterian people in the community, and the decreasing number of Catholics. "By 1891 the proportion of Catholics in Nunawading's population had dropped to 13.5%. The Methodists on the other hand had kept pace with the increasing population of the Shire, and could still boast a quarter of the population as adherants. There were increasing numbers of Baptists and Independants, but by far the biggest increase was in the number of Presbyterians who constituted 10% of Nunawading's population in 1891 compared with less than half the figure before the land boom."(7) Although Nunawading was only a neighbouring suburb to Box Hill, it was a typical example of the changing social composition, and thus attitudes of the area.

The Band reflected the great social change occurring in the Box Hill area during this period. It underwent several upheavals as the struggle between temperance advocates and those people with no real objection to alcohol took place. If the band was to be successful, it needed the support of the general community, rather than sectarian movements, such as the temperance society. This reason was cited by the "Box Hill Reporter" as one of the major reasons for the collapse of the Band in 1894. A meeting was held on 11th January for the purpose of reforming the Band, and there was a large attendance of young men present. "The convenor stated the objectives of the meeting - that it was contemplated to form a public brass band, which would be unsectarian, and be an honour to the district."

The changing religious focuses of the Box Hill area during the 1890's were reflected in the name changes of the Band during this period. The members of the Band and the obvious financial support in this period seemed to change as regularly as its name, as can be seen in the various photographs of the time. In 1890, the fledgeling band was photographed at Blackburn Lake, and even though the members weren't in uniform, they looked proudly respectable. The photograph of the "Reporter District Band" in the 1890's shows the Band in full uniform, and a considerable improvement in the quality of the instruments. In 1903 the band was photographed with some sort of trophy, (however not in any uniform) outside the pub, which shows a complete reversal from its original purpose. The social changes which occurred in the Box Hill area in the 1890's were reflected in the upheavals which the band experienced.

It is not unusual that the Box Hill Brass Band reflected the changes and developments within the Box Hill area; the peculiarity of the Box Hill experience was the dominating and sometimes overwhelming influence of the Methodists and the temperance movement. Other areas of Melbourne, for example Richmond, Collingwood or Footscray, had a much more socially diverse population which encouraged a far greater degree of social and religious liberalism.

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Middle and Working Class Tastes and Values

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In the period 1889-1945, the Box Hill City Band reflected varied tastes and values in the Australian community, both in its development and in the music it played.

There are several important problems apparent in the disrupted beginnings of the Box Hill City Band, which reflect the sectarian differences of the community at that time. The changing names of the band depicted several changes in the focus of it. Rather than emphasizing the community of Box Hill, the band sometimes focused on the minority of Temperance Society supporters, (and later the Methodist religion) rather than the broader community. The names "Box Hill Temperance Band" and the "Box Hill United Methodists Brass Band" displayed a focus for these predominantly middle-class religions. The Temperance Society and Methodist elements also emphasized existing religious differences. The people of these middle-class religions represented a growing percentage of the population in that area, around the 1890's. Those names would have discouraged or excluded some of the large working-class, and many Irish-Catholic members of society, from participation and thus, popular support of the band.

Suppported by elements of the middle to upper classes of Box Hill, the band continued under these names for a short while, until it collapsed, due to a lack of popular support.

After the band's name changed to the more general "Box Hill District Reporter Band", its focus also became more general, and it began encouraging community pride and involvement. It now had to cater for both middle and working class tastes and values, and this was evident in the music dated around the turn of the century. This included "Gems from Sullivan's Operas" (1900), "Gems of Wagner", and "Gems of Mozart". Only the more affluent could afford to go to hear an orchestra, so to cater for the general public, symphony and operatic overtures were adapted to brass band styles. Thus, the middle and working classes could hear popular music which most people would otherwise not have been able to hear live on a regular basis.

As well as playing operatic and symphonic adaptations, the band most likely played marches and hymns to cater for the working and middle class tastes and values. The citizens of Box Hill (and surrounding areas) would have taken great pride in their band, as an established and respectable band that would show Box Hill in a good light. In the "Box Hill Reporter" in 1885 an article appeared, calling people's attention to a meeting about the continuance of the band, and discussing the "chequered" career of the band:

"A good company of trained musicians is a great acquisition to any district, and we hope that all who have taken any interest in the band in the past together with all newcomers who love to listen to the strains of sweet music, will roll up on Tuesday evening next, and try if possible to again so encourage its members that they shall determine to at least make one more effort to be "a power of good" in Box Hill and the surrounding district."(9)

This article illustrates the wide section of the community which the band appealed to, and displays a certain sense of pride (from all levels) in the band.

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Nationalism

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In many ways during the period 1880-1900, the band reflected an emerging national identity in Australia, through their fashions, music and actions. The band promoted a sense of pride in the community and in Australian society, thus increasing an emerging national identity.

The first known photograph of the Band was in 1890 at Blackburn Lake. The band may have been having a bush picnic or playing a concert at Blackburn Lake. Only two members of the 1890's band were still in the 1903 band. These differing sets of members not only represent the changes which the band went through, but the various attitudes among the members, towards retaining British cultural links (eg. uniforms) and allowing a burgeoning sense of nationalism to emerge. Financial constraints may have caused problems, but the appearance of the band in 1903 was far more untidy than the well established and wealthy looking "1890's" band, which may suggest a slackening of community expectations of a "uniformed band".

At one public meeting, it was stated that the band was to be "unsectarian". This may have been an extension of the popular "Australian Legend" into the banding world. Russell Ward described the "Australin Legend" as "egalitarian" and "skeptical of religion". The fact that the band virtually folded under religious names, may have been a coninuation of this myth.

Prior to the early 1900's, the large majority of brass band music was only available from Britain or the United States of America. As the band movements' popularity grew, the number of publishers in Australia also grew. Uniquely Australian music would have reflected any growing Australian national consciousness and identity. Songs such as "On Manly Shore" (1925), "Out by the Murrumbidgee River", and "Gympie City" were bought by the band and presumably played at some stage. These songs related to particular Australian areas. Communication of these area's local pride, would have increased the amount of national pride. Songs were not only dedicated to places, but also events. These included "The Spitfire" ("Respectfully dedicated to the fighting forces of Australia") and "Sunshine" ("dedicated to H.V. McKay of Sunshine Harvester fame"). These two songs alone, suggest a burgeoning national spirit, as they are dedicated to memorable Australian events, which remain famous today. One piece of music, "Australis", had the letters "A. F. L." printed at the bottom of the sheet. This suggests that the Australian Federal League, an active proponent of increased national awareness, may have commissioned and perhaps printed the music. If so, then the band played an active part in promoting a sense of nationalism. There was a public demand for nationalistic music, and this reflected the increasing sense of nationalism in Australia.

The band promoted community pride and co-operation, by playing in marches, community activities and functions, openings of buildings (such as the Shire Hall) and by giving regular recitals. In 1911 (in league with the Australian Natives Association) the band conceived the idea of a rotunda. It was constructed in one day by the community of Box Hill, and set a standard for other expanding areas such as Warburton.

In 1923 the band played a large role in the entertainment of not only the local population, but nearly all of Australia, when it participated in the debut of a live radio broadcast of a brass band. There was a letter written by H. H. Bradley (the organiser of the broadcast) decsribing the event:

"I personally arranged this concert and can say with confidence that this band concert was not only the first in Australia, but a Worlds Record. There were no "A" or "B" Broadcasting Stations operating at this time. For this concert we had a special permit from Mr. Malone, the Government wireless chief, to have the sole use of the air for this period. All other amateur stations closed down.

H. H. Bradley."

The radio broadcast was a great honour for the band, and highlighted the standing which it had in the community. Communication barriers were a great impediment to the emerging national identity of Australia at this time. Box Hill Band's actions (such as the radio broadcast and the competitions between bands, eg. Bendigo competitions) played a large part in bringing diverse communities closer together.

The national community of Australia took great pride in the individual charasterics of its own small communities. Local community pride was like a microcosm of national pride, and many aspects of this were reflected in Box Hill Band's fashions, music and actions.

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Imperial Loyalty

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The purpose of the band's formation in 1889 was partially to divert young men away from pubs, but also to help celebrate the Queen's Birthday "memorial stone celebration" at the new Shire Hall. The fact that the "Queen's" celebration was one of the main reasons for the establishment of the band, suggests a large amount of imperial loyalty at the time. The foundation of the band was a mixture of pride in the Empire and pride in the local development of the city, and this fact demonstrates peoples' tangled loyalties at that time.

The photograph of the band taken at the railway bridge in the 1890's depicts the band in full British style uniform, while being sponsored by the local "Box Hill Reporter" newspaper. This suggests to a large extent transplanted ideals and values, even though financial constraints would have been considerable (due to the Depression), and the hot Australian climate unsuitable for that type of dress.

Imperial loyalty was not only evident in the early years of the band, but also when it was more established. During the 1930's the band had the distinction of playing before Vice-Royalty on may occasions, and on several pieces of music there is a stamp which states "Vice-Regal Band". This suggests the continuing tradition and accpetance of the monarchial system. The stamp also states "North Melbourne", which suggests several bands would have played before Vice-Royalty, and may have swapped music. The band also participated in "Queen Carnivals" with Scouts, which epitomized the popularity of the idea of a Queen.

Among the band's extensive range of music are many pieces, with a definite Imperial flavour. These include such patriotic pieces as "Victoria Cross", "The March of King's Men", "Queen's Own" (1942), "Imperial Echoes" (1913) and "Festival of Empire - Grand Patriotic Fantasia" (1929). Many of the pieces are simply nostalgic, but some titles relate to acts of Imperial loyalty, such as "In the Soudan", where Australians galantly volunteered their services to the Empire. One collection of tunes in the Palings Band Journal, includes patriotic music such as "the British Grenadiers", "Rule Britannia", "Home Sweet Home - England", "Advance Australia Fair", "God Save the King" and "The Fine Old English Gentleman". This suggests to a large extent that tangled loyalties existed (as "Rule Britannia", "Home Sweet Home - England" and "Advance Australia Fair" are included together) however people would have felt quite at ease in listening to these these pieces together. One contributing factor to the large amount of British music, is that it would have been the main type available until Australian and American music began to grow in pupularity.

In their actions, dress and music, the Box Hill Band reflected the large amount of Imperial loyalty in Australia in the late 19th and early 20th century, and also the tangled loyalties many people felt.

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The Growing American Musical and Cultural Influence

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While British band music predominated in the early stages of brass band development in Australia, American music, and cultural influence soon took over in the early 20th century. America was growing rapidly as an international power, and it's influence in the musical world was extended to a large extent, with new styles of American music emerging.

In the late 19th and early 20th century, many families had pianos and pianolas (as sing-a-longs were very popular) and played emerging styles of music. Styles such as "ragtime" in the early 1900's and "Charleston" music in the 1920's were particularly popular. These styles were becoming more regularly heard at dances and being played by orchestras, and this most certainly would have been an influential factor in the increase of brass band arrangements of these styles. Increased public demand for such styles may also have been influenced by the fact that those people who did own pianos would have wanted to hear the music played live by bands, on a regular basis. Many working to lower-class people who couldn't afford a piano would also have increased the public demand for this music, as these new styles were becoming popular, and brass bands would have been one of their only sources of cheap musical entertainment.

To a certain extent a transplant in musical tastes took place as new American styles began emerging. This would have increased to an extent, with America's involvement late in the first World War. People began wanting Dixie-land jazz and American marches, and this cultural change is reflected in the music bought by Box Hill Band.

Along with this change in musical taste, came transplanted cultural influences such as racism towards African-Americans. [A number of songs with titles considered to be highly racist by today's standards were owned by the band.] This suggests that at some time they were played, most likely due to popular support.

This craze of "Americanism" highlighted in many regards the immaturity of the new Australian identity at this stage (even after the unifying Gallipoli experiance) in that it could be influenced to such a large extent by another nation's music and culture.

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Conclusion

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From its uncertain beginnings, the Box Hill City Band developed to become the pride of the area. In its activities, music and uniform, the band reflected the social and cultural change of Australia during the period 1889-1945, and also the changing social and cultural environment.

Characteristics of the Australian identity in this period were reflected in the Box Hill City Brass Band. Conflict between competing sectarian movements was indicated by the chnaging names of the band in its early years. A growing national pride can be seen in the band's actions, music and fashions. The desire of Australian society at that time, to keep Imperial links alive, is shown in the band's musical repertoire and development. Because the band drew its support predominantly from the the middle and working classes, the music it played was not "highbrow", but it reflected the tastes and sentiments of its supporters. The influence of popular American music and culture was also seen in the changing musical repertoire played by the Box Hill City Band.

Throughtout its history until 1945, Box Hill Band can be seen to be an indicator on a local level of changing community loyalties, values and tastes, reflecting those of the broader Australian community.

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Footnotes, Bibliography & Acknowledgements

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Footnotes

1. The Box Hill Reporter, "Box Hill Band in '03", 16th June, 1965
2. The Box Hill Reporter, "News and Notes", 31st May, 1889
3. Lemon, A., "Box Hill", Lothian Publishing, Australia, 1978 (pp. 100)
4. The Box Hill Reporter, "The Box Hill Brass Band", 27th September, 1895
5. Lewis, B., "Brief History of Box Hill City Band
6. "op.cit.", Lemon, A., (pp. 101)
7. "ibid.", (pp. 102)
8. The Box Hill Reporter, "A Public Brass Band for Box Hill at last", 19th January, 1894
9. "op.cit." "The Box Hill Brass Band"

Bibliography

1. Lemon, A., "Box Hill", Lothian Publishing, Australia, 1978
2. Lewis, B., "Brief History of Box Hill City Band"
3. Ward, R., "The Australian Legend", O.U.P., Melbourne, 1958

Acknowledgements

John Kelly and John Fox of the Box Hill City Band, Marg Morgan of the Box Hill Historical Society, and Mark Johnson of St. Leo's College.

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