In old Sandgate, options for musical entertainment were limited: you went somewhere to hear an orchestra, you enjoyed a musical instrument at home or your churchgoing was enlivened by an organist. It was something of a novelty, then, when, in 1887, several “public-spirited young men” came together to form a brass band for the purpose of providing public musical entertainment to residents and visitors of our little seaside resort.
Starting with no instruments and little expertise, within a year they were equipped – thanks to £100 raised by public subscriptions – and trained and, under the guidance of bandmaster, Mr Thomas Jack, were performing “on various parts of the Esplanades”, to the enthusiastic endorsement of the locals. For, as one councillor said: “If there is one thing more likely than another to make Sandgate really a thriving place, it is the establishment of a local brass band.”
The Sandgate Town Band was soon in high demand. With a repertoire ranging from patriotic marches, popular and operatic tunes through to the religious, they played at such diverse events as the Sandgate Turf Club race days at Deagon, the Sandgate Regatta, the Governor’s “At Home” receptions at Morven and parties and dances at the Victoria skating rink.
They played at fetes and fundraisers and even funerals, and their music dignified solemn public occasions such as Queen Victoria’s jubilee celebrations and holidays to mark the end of the Boer War. Christmas was a high point; starting from their premises in Signal Row, the band toured the town on Christmas Eve playing carols and popular favourites. They were usually offered refreshments by householders, but “most of the men being teetotallers”, alcoholic beverages were eschewed. Often, these peripatetic performances did not end until the early hours of Christmas Day.
A Band at the Heart of Community Life
In 1897, the council erected a two-story structure combining a kiosk and covered band rotunda in Moora Park and the band began weekly performances – popular tunes on Friday evenings and sacred music on Sundays. Their reputation spread beyond Sandgate; they were regulars at the “Promenade Concerts” at Albion Park and the Friday night recitals drew audiences from the city on special excursion trains.
While all was not plain sailing: there were disagreements with the council, which owned the instruments and dictated payment and performances – over money; and occasional complaints from citizens about the Sunday performances constituting “Sabbath desecration”, the Sandgate Town Band played on, keeping people entertained well into the 20th century. I wonder if, on a quiet night, ghostly echoes may waft across the bay from the bandstand?
[With thanks to the Sandgate Historical Museum (opening hours: Sunday and Wednesday, 9am to 1.30pm. Adults $5, Children $3, Membership $20/$30)]
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