Rehearsal Spaces
Back in 1979, Westgate Youth Band sat down to rehearse at Hyde Street Primary School in Footscray. The teenagers that attended this very first rehearsal sat on tiny chairs, those curved plastic bits of furniture made for primary school students. As is often the case with music ensembles - whether in the community or in school settings - sometimes the initial set-up is a little ad-hoc. A re-purposed classroom, tables and chairs that need to be shifted and rearranged at the end of the session, hefty equipment traipsed in and out again. This perpetual sense of make-shift is commonplace but always manageable - the music-making and forming of a community inevitably wins out and the same was true of Westgate.
As the band grew in number (and height), and in the amount of equipment it needed to store, we were fortunate to take up residence at Braybrook College, playing in the school library. Every Saturday morning, tables would be moved, stands assembled and percussion instruments brought across, all to be packed away again at lunch. Though less than ideal, it is often in this process of set-up and pack-up, pairing up to lug a heavy stand case or percussion item back and forth, that friendships are formed. The space itself becomes just as much a part of the group as the repertoire does and it is another way in which the community can come together, united, to achieve a common goal.
The two portables that held Braybrook College’s music centre, and which were indeed utilised by Westgate for smaller rehearsals (such as those for the Tullamarine Musicals) and the precarious storage of a certain bass drum, were updated and the ‘Roy Hamilton Music Centre’ named in 2010. Westgate Concert Band were elated to utilise the space. It’s open rehearsal zone, a dedicated Westgate storage space, and audio-visual capabilities have enhanced our rehearsals. In a post-pandemic world, where viable rehearsal spaces were already hard to come by, the band is incredibly grateful to have a place to call home. So many of our peer ensemble organisations struggle to find this sort of stability, homeless within their own community. We recognise how fortunate we are to have such a great relationship with Braybrook in this sense, let alone the opportunity to rehearse in a space named for one of our founders. Westgate Concert Band would like to thank Braybrook College for their ongoing support and look forward to our continued association.
In a post-pandemic world, where viable rehearsal spaces were already hard to come by, the band is incredibly grateful to have a place to call home. So many of our peer ensemble organisations struggle to find this sort of stability, homeless within their own community. We recognise how fortunate we are to have such a great relationship with Braybrook in this sense, let alone the opportunity to rehearse in a space named for one of our founders. Westgate Concert Band would like to thank Braybrook College for their ongoing support and look forward to our continued association.
Presentation Night
Although not musical in nature, Westgate Concert Band’s Annual Presentation Night is nonetheless an integral part of our calendar. It is not only a chance for Band members and friends to relax and celebrate the successes of the year, but, more importantly, it provides an opportunity to formally recognise the amazing contributions made by the many people that make Westgate what it is.
Awards were traditionally given out at Presentation Night to recognise outstanding service. While a member of the Victorian Band’s League (until 1996), such awards were given in line with their program.
“VBL Gold Youth Award: These awards are for people who complete 5 years of service with the band before reaching the age of 21. (Note that our interpretation of “service” is to not count periods of leave of absence from the band). VBL Merit Award: These awards are for people who complete 10 years of service… plus who have made a significant contribution to the band. We also have the Westgate Outstanding Service Award which is for outstanding service to the band over a minimum of 5 years…”
After leaving the VBL, Westgate Concert Band reappraised its award system. Today, our autonomous awards recognise ‘Years of Service’ and ‘Outstanding Contributions’ separately.
Band members are given a ‘Years of Service’ award to mark their 5th, 10th, 15th and 20th years with the Band (excluding any leave of absence), while at 25 years, they are considered a ‘Life Member’. Indeed, eight of our current band members carry this remarkable title – a testament to their incredible dedication to the band… and to the fascinating hold a community group can have on you. Presentation of these awards are always accompanied by heartfelt speeches and an awkward pinning process.
Westgate Concert Band also gives out two awards to recognise those who go above and beyond for the Band. Replacing the Westgate Outstanding Service Award is the Ian Stewart Memorial Award - a perpetual trophy that has recently run out of space! We additionally recognise non-playing individuals who are so vital to the running of our organisation and its activities through the Bob and Marion Heard Award.
“This award was first presented in 1997 and named in honour of Ian Stewart, who helped so much with the band. This award is for playing members that have made a major contribution and/or service to the band, over and above just playing at rehearsals and concerts.
This award was first presented 18 October 2003 and is named in honour of Bob and Marion Heard who looked after the band’s wellbeing outside regular playing activities. This trophy is to recognise individuals from the Westgate Community who made an outstanding contribution of a non-playing nature. Westgate Concert Band recognises that such non-musical contributions are the cornerstone of this community organisation and are integral to its ongoing success and appreciated by the Musical Directors and Members.”