Planned Commencement - September, 2026
A Community Brass Band in Ballarat That Will Play Jazz and Gypsy Music!
The Ballarat Street Band Project is planned to be a new community brass band in Ballarat, Australia. It is planned to be a cycle of 3 rehearsals and 5 performances from September to November 2026. This project is suitable for improvising and non-improvising musicians. Instrumentation will be brass, saxes and percussion. It is envisaged that participation in 2026 will be FREE and performers will have the opportunity to work with a professional jazz musician as musical director/soloist.
A Community Music Homage to the Youngblood Brass Band
The Youngblood Brass Band were trailblazers in the field of street band music. This hugely popular and successful band has a rich discography, and it is planned that the Ballarat Street Band Project will rehearse and perform 'Brooklyn' as performed by the Youngblood Brass Band!
Now Seeking Expressions of Interest from Players
We are seeking expressions of interest from players to play in the Ballarat Street Band Project.
- Suitable for intermediate to advanced brass and sax players, and drummers, who are all dedicated and practice at home most days.
- Suitable for developing or professional jazz musicians who want to learn and play street band style music including some gypsy charts.
- Suitable for non-improvisors but importantly, we need some improvisors to take delightful and fun solos.
- Scheduled to start in September - after the VBL competitions, so traditional brass band players will, hopefully, be available. Tuba, Eb tenor horn and euphonium parts will be available.
- Suitable for traditional brass band players and concert band players who are looking to try a different style of music.
- This is a music education experience, you will all be supported on this journey!
About the Project
The Ballarat Street Band Project is planned to be an exciting series of rehearsals and performances planned to take place in Ballarat, Australia, between September and November, 2026. This community brass band will have horns a plenty (if you like that sort of thing) trumpets, cornets, trombones, tuba or sousaphone, saxes of all sizes, and drums. We might also have an eb tenor horn or 2 and a euphonium.
This initiative offers a fantastic opportunity for musicians from all walks of life, regardless of age or income, to come together and enhance their skills. Participants will have the unique chance to work alongside a leading professional jazz musician (whose identity will soon be announced), gaining invaluable insights and expertise in the art of performance. This project is designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and community spirit. Don't miss the chance to be part of this enriching musical journey and contribute to the vibrant musical landscape of Ballarat!
Street Band Instrumentation
The Ballarat Street Band Project will have what has evolved as the traditional street band instrumentation of 2-3 trumpets, 2-3 trombones, tuba or sousaphone, 3 saxes and percussion. We also extend a warm welcome to our friends in traditional brass band circles in Ballarat and Creswick who want to try something different and will welcome players on cornet, eb tenor horn, baritone and euphonium! Non improvisors are welcome but we need a few improvisors as well. The timing of the Ballarat Street Band Project is also scheduled to be after the VBL Comps in August so hopefully, players from local traditional brass bands and concert bands will be available to participate.
Musical Director/Soloist
We have connected with a professional jazz musician to be Musical Director/Soloist, whose identity will be announced in the near future.
Street Band Project Initiator
Brad Webb is the initiator of this brass street band project. Brad is a local Ballarat trumpet teacher and businessman. Brad is classically trained and has completed a Bachelor of Music Performance, and AMusA from the Australia Music Examinations Board. Brad sees a real need to bring exciting and engaging brass popular music to the streets of Ballarat for the enjoyment of the community.
Brad was a player and committee member in Merri-bek City Band (then Moreland City Band) in 2009-2012 and played significant role in the renewal and repositioning of that band.
Brad is a gentle and modest man and eschews attention and awards and is committed to democratic principles of governance of community bands.
Brad currently plays in the Ballan Community Street Band which is an awesome small town street band that really punches above it's weight.
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Business Sponsors
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Contact Us About Playing in the Band or about Sponsorship
Acknowledgement of Country
The Ballarat Street Band Project acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land we live and work on, the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung People, and recognises their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.