December 2004

  • Congrats to Rachael and David Bendell on the birth of their son, Adam, on 29 Dec

  • Howard Taylor agrees to take on the position of Assistant Musical Director for Australian National Brass 2005.

  • Meg Fixter is appointed Tour Administrator for Australian National Brass 2005 tour to the World Championships in Kerkrade next year following the resignation of Robert Bedwell

  • Brenden Wheeler is announced as one of the 8 Semi-Finalists in the BBC Brass Musician of the Year.

  • Brenden Wheeler was named Best Instrumenalist at last weeks Scottish Open. Brenden played Principal Euphonium for Hepworth who won the Championship section.

  • Ashley Gittins organises an ensemble made up of players from XLCR and Windsor Brass to play for children at the Royal Brisbane Hospital.
  • Windsor Brass is regraded from C Grade to B Grade.

November 2004

  • Julie Woods and Steve Ridler are chosen in Australian National Brass 2005 for the World Championships in Kerdrade, July 2005.
  • Brass in the Country. Our own Julie Woods, with the help and support of family and friends, organised a highly succussful concert in Laidley. Hundreds of people were entertained by the band and local school choirs in the Laidley Cultural Centre for a leisurely Sunday afternoon concert.
  • It certainly will be a Happy New Year for Brisbane Excelsior who has been chosen by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to represent Australia and New Zealand in Hong Kong for the Chinese New Year to be held February 7-12, 2005.
    Each year, hundreds of school groups, marching bands and other musical groups apply to attend the celebrations but only one group is chosen.  Brisbane Excelsior, one of Australia’s top brass bands has this year won the gig.  Fully funded by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the tour will involve internationally televised concerts and parades in and around Hong Kong and China.   The festival attracts more than 300,000 spectators to any one event and millions more in China and around the world watch on TV and the Internet as brightly lit floats and an incredible array of traditional chinese and international elements from Australia, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mainland China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the UK and the USA perform. Hong Kong is the place to celebrate the Year of the Rooster, where the festivities in 2005 will be the most extravagant in history – and Brisbane Excelsior will be there.
  • XLCR performed to the Governor, Archbishop and Dean of St Johns Cathedral, in the St Johns Cathedral. Together with the organist Christopher Cook and soloists from within our ranks and New Zealand, XLCR performed to a packed Cathedral and received a standing ovation.
  • Airconditioning is turned on in the rehearsal room for the first time!

October 2004

  • Meg Fixter completes the design and construction of the vests for Windsor Brass. Windsor Brass express huge thanks to Meg for her efforts.
  • Sadly, Mrs Beryl Williams, wife of our Life Member Bert Williams, passed away Saturday 23 October.
  • Steve Ridler who stepped in at the last minute to conduct Windsor Brass at their recent performance in New Farm park.
  • Howard Taylor takes 3 weeks holiday. XLCR are treated to rehearsals and workshops by Peter Luff, Ashley Gittins and Steve Ridler.
  • Windsor Brass prepares for their first contest in C Grade under the direction of Dale Hosking.

September 2004

  • Brisbane Excelsior is awarded approximately $30,000 from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund for the purchase of new instruments
  • Phil Johnston on Bb Bass from Woolston (NZ) and Jason Katsikaris on Bb Cornet from NSW fly to Brisbane for the weekend to participate in our recording session.

August 2004

  • Windsor Brass is regraded from D Grade to C Grade

  • XLCR has moved its rehearsal to the Windsor School of Arts Lower Hall. Future plans are for the entire lower level to be opened up to include new soundproof rehearsal room and social area. Tenants now have exclusive use of Topp Hall.

  • It is with regret that we announce the passing of one of our supporters, Wally Fookes. Wally passed away on August 16 and will be sadly missed by us all.

  • Both Rodney Everitt and Warren Brewer purchase new Yamaha Maestro cornets.

  • Imelda Moore and Ben McLeod turn 18.

  • Isaac Latter leaves us to begin his ‘new life’ in Canberra.

  • Steve Whittington and Allan Lonergan swap instruments – Steve moves to Bb Bass and Allan to Eb.

  • Brenden Wheeler flies down from Cairns for his final performance (Lord Mayors Gala Concert) with the band before leaving for the UK.

  • Meg Fixter joins us as Secretary of our organisation.

  • Allan Lonergan is elected Treasurer of the QBA.

  • The funding from the Jupiters Casino Community Trust allows us to renew the roof and paint the Windsor School of Arts.