Band gets standing ovation

ABMUSN Heather Wright featuring in Bach’s D minor Toccata and Fugue. The concert by the band was held in the Canberra school of music.

“We are the Royal Australian Navy and we are proud to be Australian.”

With these quietly but firmly spoken words the Musical Director of the RAN Band Sydney Detachment (LEUT Paul Cottier) brought cheers and a standing ovation for the band from its audience.

Some 500 people had braved a chilly Canberra night to attend the detachment’s concert at the Australian National University as part of the HMAS Harman Jubilee celebrations.

If the audience were expecting magic from one of the country’s premium, versatile groups of musicians they were not disappointed.

Opening with the Florentina March the Wind Orchestra presented a selection of classical music, ranging from Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, which featured ABMUSN Heather Wright on xylophone, to the stirring “Anthem” from Chess. ABMUSN Damian Dowd sang the latter. Also notable was ABMUSN Gary Honor’s alto sax performance of "Everything Must Change".

During the brief interlude LEUT Cottier spoke briefly of the 90-year history of the RAN Band and its many achievements and capabilities in peace and war.

The Admiral’s Own jazz orchestra then took the wind orchestra’s place on stage.

Opening with Bob Connor’s Keystone Shuffle they quickly warmed the air with a mix of pure jazz and swing sounds ranging from Nat King Cole and the smoky sounds of the Big Bands through to contemporary jazz pieces. Again the highlights were Damian Dowd’s rendition of It had to be You and Nature Boy, and a soulful rendition of End of a Love Affair by ABMUSN Grant Metcalfe, again on sax.

In finale the entire wind orchestra rejoined them on stage as the ceremonial ensemble and was in turn joined by the RAN drums.

LEUT Cottier spoke about the significance of the Navy’s bands in the heritage of both the Navy and the country. He continued about Harman’s diamond jubilee and the significance of the establishment in the history of the ACT and surrounding region as well as the significance of pomp and “Drum Call” and “Beat to Quarters”, the traditional call to Action Stations aboard the RN’s “wooden walls”.

Then, to a powerpoint montage of Harman and naval scenes the assembled musicians joined in with Life on the Ocean Wave, Heart of Oak and Royal Australian Navy, They concluded with the Naval Hymn, with Damian Dowd again singing.

As the applause died away, LEUT Cottier reminded the audience of the current service in harm’s way by many RAN personnel. The various detachments of the band were participating in the conflict as well as farewelling and welcoming home the ships involved.

As the audience resumed their seats the band provided two encores, I am Australian, sung by Damian Dowd and ABMUSN Belinda Marks, and Waltzing Matilda.

The Navy’s bands have always been among the finest wind orchestras in the world.

The calibre of the musicians in the Sydney detachment will ensure the RAN Band maintains that enviable reputation for many years to come.

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