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Council amalgamations in
the 1990's saw the creation of the City of Monash and
ultimately the band adopted its current name to reflect
the new community it serves. Its members are now a diverse
group of people from the wider community within and
around the City of Monash. Over the first 16 years of
its existence under the most capable and patient guidance
of its MD the Band provided entertainment within the
local community and beyond at many playouts, including
fares, fetes, shopping centres, concerts and even a
wedding or two.
At the end of 2001, John
Sewell retired after a superb contribution of sixteen
years and in early 2002 the band appointed Errol Hatch
as Music Director. Errol's time with the band saw an
extension of the band's repertoire to include more pieces
in the Big Band style, while retaining the Concert Band
flavour overall. This was also a period when the value
of an "in-house" vocalist became more appreciated,
and the Band today has two as full members to add that
special extra to our performances.
Due to pressure of other
obligations Errol was unable to continue beyond the
end of 2003 and in March 2004, the band appointed our
current Music Director,
Michael Thompson. Michael has already built on the
very firm foundations laid by his predecessors and the
band has taken on new challenges with a degree of success
that has been most gratifying to experience. Certainly
our audience feedback continues to be very positive,
and increasingly so.
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