2005 signifies the 10th year anniversary of the Box Hill City Bands' magnificent Junior Bands Program as directed by Alwaynne Strentz.
An analogy has been used in previous years comparing the Junior Bands to the finest quality bottle of red waiting to mature.
The bands are now "ready to drink, in the prime of their lives with no sign of fading"!
Their substance is what brings and keeps music alive. The Junior Bands display all the hallmarks of the finest quality wines.
They are subtle yet complex, powerful yet elegant. They are held together with a core that can only be described by Whitehorse Brass'
Motto "Passion, Spirit, Unity". Our Junior Bands Program is a benchmark and inspiration for any community Junior Bands Program.
The Box Hill City Band currently has 5 Junior Bands.
JUNIOR BANDS AS OF 2006
Junior WASABI
Musical Director - Alwaynne Strentz
2004 saw the creation of another Junior Band, Junior WASABI. As with all the Jazz groups in the programme,
Junior WASABI has a full Big Band Instrumentation. Prospective members were auditioned in April.
Rehearsals started in May for all the successful candidates. As will the other Big Bands, the primary objective
of this ensemble is to train young musicians in the art of jazz and big band playing.
The band had an inspiring debut performance at a Christmas Cabaret in December 2004.
WASABI
Musical Director - Alwaynne Strentz
The current 2005 WASABI line-up consists of former Junior WASABI personnel who were re-auditioned and new players from
within our community. The resulting band being a very focussed and progressive ensemble. This group has been growing from
strength to strength this year, culminating in a 3rd place in the Victorian State Stage Bands Championships (B Grade).
A great feat, considering that most of the players have not had much more than 2 years jazz band experience prior to these
championships. The band has also performed at the Laburnum Primary School Annual Ball, the BHCB Fundraising Day, a 40th
Birthday Party and a Big Band night held at the Tower Hotel and an Australia vs. New Zealand Netball Test Match held at the
Vodafone Arena.
Box Hill City Big Band
Musical Director - Matt Amy
The original WASABI Big Band changed its name to the BOX HILL CITY BIG BAND in 2004. This was done for the following reasons-
» The average member of the group has finished high school;
» To give this group a higher profile within the community alongside the Box Hill City Band;
» To open this group up to players older than 18.
In 2004, the band performed in the City of Whitehorse Summer Concert Series, a Big Band night held at the Tower Hotel,
a fundraiser for IMEX (Integrated Mission Experience), a community Christmas Cabaret concert and a Private Christmas function.
Whitehorse Junior Brass Ensemble
Musical Director - David Farrell
The most important group of all of the Junior Bands! This is where the journey starts for the majority of Brass Players in the Program.
The primary goal for this Band is to give the young Brass Player the tools and fundamentals of great instrumental and ensemble playing.
This band constantly recruits new players and feeds players into Whitehorse Brass and the WASABI Jazz Band Program.
In 2004, the band performed at the BHCB Fundraising Day, the City of Whitehorse Spring Festival and the Box Hill Contest
where they were awarded a commendable 2nd place and the R.J. Dunn Encouragement Trophy. This band is the foundation for the
success of the program.
Whitehorse Brass
Musical Director - Alwaynne Strentz
The longest running Junior Band of the program. Whitehorse Brass has risen from its humble beginnings 10 years ago to be a
musical force to be reckoned with. With a membership of 33 players, this flagship ensemble is made up of players who mostly
reside or go to school in the City of Whitehorse. This band is constantly motivated and inspired to scale new heights. 2004
provided the band with another memorable year of achievements. The band was awarded 1st Place at the Box Hill Contest in the
Junior Brass Bands Section, receiving the highest amount of points on the day out of all participating groups (including all
senior and junior concert bands grades!). At the Victorian State Championships in Ballarat, Whitehorse Brass was awarded 1st
Place in the Junior B Grade Brass Bands Section (Three years running) and the David Rogers Trophy for most outstanding Junior
Brass Band. Whitehorse Brass is the highest ranked Junior Brass Band in Victoria for the second year running. Whitehorse Brass
is a truly fantastic Ensemble.
Away from the competition arena, Whitehorse Brass has had a diverse range of performances in 2005.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the organisation, a fact celebrated at the Christmas Cabaret in December. The band also went to Adelaide for the Nationals, and did very well.
STATE SOLO CHAMPIONSHIPS AND SOUTH STREET 2005
2005 was another magnificent year for members of our junior bands who participated in solo competitions.
The results obtained are testament to the quality of players being created, supported and nurtured in our program.
Listed below is a summary of the results gained in 2005.
State Solo Championships in 2005
» 1st Place - Under 15 Trumpet
» 1st Place - Under 15 Flugelhorn
» 1st Place - Under 15 Trombone
» 1st Place - Under 15 Tuba
» 1st Place - Under 19 French Horn
» 1st Place - Under 19 Saxophone
» 2nd Place - Under 19 Euphonium
» 2nd Place - Under 19 Trombone
» 2nd Place - Under 19 Tuba
» 2nd Place - Under 19 Clarinet
» Juvenile (under 15) Brass CHampion of Champions (Trumpet)
» Whitehorse Brass were awarded the Junior Aggregate Trophy
South Street
» 1st Place - Junior Any Other Instrument (Tuba)
» 2nd Place - Juvenile Any Other Instrument (Flugelhorn)
» Under 19 Champion of Champions (Tuba)
