Commencing in 2027!
A Community Street Band in Ballarat That Will Play Jazz and Gypsy Music!
The Ballarat Street Band Project will be a new community street band in Ballarat, Australia.
It will be a series of rehearsals and performances that will take place in the second half of 2027 and hopefully we can establish the band to continue on in 2028.
This project is suitable for improvising and non-improvising musicians. Instrumentation will be brass, saxes and percussion. Participation will be FREE and performers will have the opportunity to work with professional musician Aaron Richard AKA 'That Sousaphone Guy' as musical director/soloist.
There will also be 5 paid commissions available for music arrangers from Ballarat to arrange covers from the 2000s to the present for the band.
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!
Musical Director/Soloist - Aaron Richard AKA 'That Sousaphone Guy'
The musical director and featured soloist for the Ballarat Street Band Project in 2027 is Aaron Richard, also known as 'That Sousaphone Guy' who is a professional performer on sousaphone and tuba from Melbourne.
He is a specialist in street band music and has played with the Lowdown Street Orchestra, James Boult and the Redeemers, and Andrew Nolte and his orchestras. Aaron has also been an instrumental teacher in lower brass.
Additionally, Aaron is an arranger for Brass Ensembles, with focuses in Brass Band music and New Orleans-style Second Line Bands.
Aaron will perform the famous sousaphone solo from the Youngblood Brass Band's official sheet music arrangement of 'Brooklyn' for the enjoyment of the Ballarat community.
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.
- Suitable for traditional brass band players and concert band players who are looking to try a different style of music. There will be parts for Eb horn, euphonium and tuba.
- This is a music education experience, you will all be supported on this journey!
Call Brad, our Street Band Co-ordinator to learn more. He can be reached on 0426 224 366 and it's probably best to text first because he screens his calls. Or fill in the webform below to say 'Hey'.
Seeking Expressions of Interest for Arranger's Commissions
As part of the Ballarat Street Band Project in 2027, there will be 5 paid commissions for music arrangers who live in the Ballarat area to arrange popular covers from the 2000's to present day for the band. More details to come in early 2027. Contact us below to register your interest.
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, in 2027. 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 professional musician, Aaron Richard AKA 'That Sousaphone Guy', 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.
Street Band Co-Ordinator - Brad Webb
Brad Webb is the initiator and co-ordinator of this 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 a 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 has also played with the Ballan Community Street Band which is a fantastic small town street band that really punches above it's weight!
Brad currently plays in the City of Ballarat Municipal Brass Band which is an awesome community music ensemble that does fine work playing for the Ballarat community.
Brad can be reached on 0426 224 366 and it's probably best to text first because he screens his calls.
Business Sponsors
Platinum - $500
Your Business Could Be Here.
Gold - $350
Your Business Could Be Here.
Silver - $200
Your Business Could Be Here.
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.