Band on the run
Volume 11, No. 45, June 15, 2006
By Barry Rollings

Here, here and here: Maj Jeff Cocks, Army Band Brisbane, details tour destinations to LCpl Liz Allen, Cpl Dave Thompson, Musn Mark Messenger, and Cpls Bjorn Pfeiffer and Melissa Davies (above). Dropping a clanger: Musns Simeon Broadbent and Steve Turner load the band’s tubular bells (right). Photos by Cpl Neil Reeves

WHERE TO CATCH THE BAND SOUTHERN REGION: Melbourne, with Tom Burlinson, June 23, Hamer Hall; Perth, with Rhonda Burchmore, July 16, Perth Concert Hall; Hobart, July 28, Wrest Point Casino; Adelaide, August 5, Her Majesty’s Theatre. CENTRAL REGION: Newcastle, August 12, Newcastle Civic Theatre; Sydney, August 15, Sydney Opera House; Wagga Wagga, August 19 and 20, Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre; Canberra, August 26, Canberra Theatre. NORTHERN REGION: Brisbane, with Rhonda Burchmore, October 7, QPAC; Darwin, October 14, Darwin Entertainment Centre; Cairns, October 20, and 21, Cairns Civic Theatre. Marina Pryor will perform at all other venues unless indicated otherwise.

ENTERTAINERS Tom Burlinson, Rhonda Burchmore and Marina Pryor will headline concerts by the Australian Army Band Corps at various venues around Australia.

The Army in Concert 2006 National Tour, in aid of Legacy and endorsed by CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy, is the brainchild of the Commandant of the Defence Force School of Music, Lt-Col Patrick Pickett.

The tour, from June 23 to October 21, has been divided into Southern, Central and Northern Region dates and the band will perform in all capital cities and some larger regional centres such as Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, Cairns and Townsville.

Lt-Col Pickett said the band was constantly adjusting its performances to suit modern expectations. “We want people to know that we are not just a marching band. Because we now deploy into operational areas and entertain soldiers from 18-55, our focus on entertainment has had to become far more diverse and is driven by the images that people see or hear on their TVs and iPods and modern methods of receiving entertainment,” he said.

“There will be some traditional music that people would expect. It will include popular vocal works including those being performed by the principal artists.

“People can expect to hear music that will include featured soloists and American-style drum-line playing as well as jazz, popular and patriotic items.

“There will be a focus on serving soldiers overseas in a work specifically written by Capt Steve Button called Heroes for a New Generation, which will be performed at each venue. In addition a performance of Lee Kernaghan’s Changi Banjo gives pause for reflection on the service of soldiers from eras past.”

Lt-Col Pickett said that each performance would use about 70 personnel, including full-time and part-time musicians from all over Australia, and a production team for sound lighting and stage management.

“In areas where we have only part-time or Army Reserve capabilities, we are moving full-time members into those areas to enhance local capabilities to ensure the highest professional standards are achieved in every location,” he said.

Stage size would define each performance, but he expected up to 58 musicians would be on stage at any show.

“For the first time we will include the highland dancers of the Australian Army Pipes and Drums, Perth, and they will do the whole tour with us,” he said.

“Everyone is contributing at various levels and we’re also going to do drill displays.”
Lt-Col Pickett said the Army in Concert tour would help lift the band’s public profile and awareness of the diversity of roles within the Army.

“There were Army concerts in the ’70s and ’80s and we are trying to get our people back on those major stages so we can contribute at the highest levels again and to draw attention to Army’s capabilities in this area by the use of national-standard performing artists,” he said.