A New 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 worth $250 each that will be available for music arrangers from Ballarat to arrange covers from the 2000s to the present for the band.
Brad Webb, a Ballarat music teacher, is co-ordinating this project and he is a recipient of the City of Ballarat - Creative Inspiration Grant in order to fund this project.
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!
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 pump out an awesome sousaphone bassline as the Ballarat Street Band Project play for the enjoyment of the Ballarat community.
Brad Webb is the initiator and co-ordinator of the 'Ballarat Street Band Project'. Brad is a local trumpet teacher and businessman who sees a genuine need to bring joyful, inspiring music to the streets of Ballarat!
Brad Webb, Street Band Initiator and Co-ordinator. Recipient of a City of Ballarat, Creative Inspiration Grant 2027.
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 of $250 each 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.
Contact us
Contact us to express interest in joining the band or for info about applying for a music arranger's commission.
Contact
Call Brad Webb, Ballarat Street Band Project Co-ordinator: 0426 224 366
E-mail: balllaratstreetbandproject@gmail.com