The Perth Hills and Wheatbelt Band
The band consists of young musicians from many different suburbs in Perth and Wheatbelt towns.
It draws together young people from many different regions of Western Australia and performs at a variety of functions in different ensemble sizes.
Along with performances in Western Australia, the band tours regularly to
provide enrichment opportunities for WA youth.
It contains both high school and primary
school students as well as ex students who have graduated from high school and
has the following core objective:
The provision of inspirational musical experiences for young people through a community based
arts organization that challenges school age musicians and provides opportunities for young
musicians who have left high school to continue playing music.
Established in 2007 in Northam, the band won a silver award at the Australian International Music Festival at the Sydney Opera House in 2008.
In 2010 the band was invited to represent WA at the World Youth Music Carnival as part of the World Expo in Shanghai and Beijing in China.
In China they shared the stage with university ensembles from Yale, Harvard, Cambridge, Utah and Eton.
In 2012 the band was accepted into the Pacific Basin Music Festival in Hawaii where they again received a silver award and were the highest placed concert band at the event.
In 2013 the band received a Gold Award at the Australian International Music Festival in Sydney and became the first visiting band to play at the Changing of the Federation Guard Closing Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
In 2015 the band embarked on a 5 week tour of the Battlefields of Europe with significant performances at Gallipoli, The Menin Gate, Fromelles, Bullecourt, Villers Bretonneux, Amiens, the Dambusters dams, Arnhem, Dunkirk and Omaha Beach.
In October 2017 the band participated in the Centenary of the Charge of Beersheba and provided musical support to 100 Lighthorse riders at the re enactment of the Charge in Israel. They performed some original Australian compositions focussing on the Australian Light Horse in Palestine during World War One.
The pieces were performed, by invitation,
at The Tower of David Museum in the Old City of Jerusalem, in Semakh, Beersheba and Shellal.
In April 2018 the band received a Silver Award at the New York International Music Festival as part of a tour that included performances in Central Park , Disneyland LA and Carnegie Hall in New York City.
We actively seek opportunities for youth musicians to embrace new challenges and experiences to enhance their artistic development.
We have an established history of introducing Australia’s past to young
Australians and commemorating significant events and individuals. This includes
local ANZAC Day, Australia Day and Remembrance Day services as well as other
commemorative services in Australia and 7 overseas countries.
Specific Aims
Organise an international or significant interstate tour every 2 to 3 years.
Form a band of young adults, school age students and mentoring adults in areas that would otherwise be unable provide these opportunities. Including regional towns and schools with small music programs.
Create performance opportunities for the band to promote the benefits of participation in instrumental music in social, academic and emotional development.
To provide musical support for corporate functions and public events within Australia, particularly the Perth Hills and Wheatbelt Regions
Raise funds to minimize the cost for participants in the opportunities offered to maximize the number of musicians who can be involved.
- Promote positive achievements of WA youth
- Establish a working relationship with more country schools and shires to allow more youth musicians from regional areas to participate in tours and other performance opportunities.
- Establish working relationships with corporate Australia and all levels of Government to provide performance and sponsorship opportunities.
- Continue to fundraise through existing methods and paid performances.
