About Redland City Bands
Our Story
The Redland City Bands is a Not for Profit organisation that was founded in 1984. We are an incorporated organisation, governed by our Constitution. With a strong focus on community, we offer the opportunity for musicians of all ages to come together. Current membership of approximately 100, ranges in age from eight to eighty and in ability from beginners to professional.
We have 5 bands – three concert bands (beginner, intermediate and advanced) and two jazz bands.
The Redland City Bands welcomes new players at all times. If you play wind, brass or percussion and are interested in improving your skills and meeting new friends, come and see us! We are sure to have a musical group to suit you.
We rehearse Monday through to Thursday nights in the Edgar Harley Hall at the Cleveland Showgrounds, Smith Street, Cleveland.
Over 120 current playing members
Every hand helps us grow!
100s of instruments*
*there are lots of things to bang and crash
1,700 pieces of music in the library
Many pieces across our many bands
Our Core
Initiatives
Empowing change for a brighter tomorrow
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
EFFICIENCY
We will be an organisation that strives to conduct its affairs in an effective and timely manner.
TEAMWORK
We work hard as a team to achieve optimum results for our members, stakeholders and the Redlands community.
PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE
Our members and volunteers will always act in the best interests of the organisation and ensure that Redland City Bands is held in the highest esteem by our stakeholders, our partners, external agencies and the broader community.
RESPECT FOR OTHERS
We respect all with whom we interact and honour all voices
FUN & ENJOYMENT
The services we provide and the way our organisation operates will be geared towards ensuring our members and volunteers enjoy their time with Redland City Bands.
INCLUSION
Anyone, regardless of gender, race, religion, age or ability will be welcomed at Redland City Bands if they have a passion for music and are willing to contribute to our activities.
INCLUSION
Anyone, regardless of gender, race, religion, age or ability will be welcomed at Redland City Bands if they have a passion for music and are willing to contribute to our activities.
EFFICIENCY
We will be an organisation that strives to conduct its affairs in an effective and timely manner.
TEAMWORK
We work hard as a team to achieve optimum results for our members, stakeholders and the Redlands community.
PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE
Our members and volunteers will always act in the best interests of the organisation and ensure that Redland City Bands is held in the highest esteem by our stakeholders, our partners, external agencies and the broader community.
RESPECT FOR OTHERS
We respect all with whom we interact and honour all voices
FUN & ENJOYMENT
The services we provide and the way our organisation operates will be geared towards ensuring our members and volunteers enjoy their time with Redland City Bands.
Our Mission
We provide an opportunity for musicians to learn, play and enjoy music through our programs and performances to entertain the broader Redlands community.
Our Vision
Redland City Bands Inc. is recognised as the premier provider of music-playing opportunities in the Redlands and is accepted as an essential part of the creative and cultural fabric of the local community.
How It All Started
On 8th February 1984, the Redland Shire Band was formed with Shire Chairman Merv Genrich as patron. Rehearsals were held in the Edgar Harley Hall in Long Street Cleveland. This brass band of 20 members played in its first public concert on 23rd November 1984 under the direction of Perry Axford.
And in 1985 won its first competition in the “C” Grade at the Runaway Bay Championships and came second in Marching and Drill in Nambour.
On 17th November 1987 a Concert Band was formed to provide band experience for the growing number of woodwind players coming through the schools.
On 8th February 1989, the band organisation became an incorporated company. In 1989 we chose Mary Gilbert as our first Honorary Member and since then a further 15 names have been engraved on the Honor Board.
By 1995, the Beginner Band, Wind Ensemble, Big Band and Inaccord had been formed providing players the opportunity to play in bands of varying degrees of difficulty and styles.
In 1999, the band first participated in Anzac Day ceremonies. This tradition continues to this day.
In 2002, we went to Stanthorpe and participated in our first Apple and Grape Festival.
In 2003, the Swing Band was formed.
We turned 20 in 2004 and our Special Anniversary Concert saw the reformation of the original Brass Band and conductor.
In 2006 Concert Band won 3rd place in the Open B Grade section at the National Band Championships.
On 6 March 2008 our name changed to Redland City Bands Inc. in line with the upgrading of the Local Authority Status and a new Constitution was developed.
In 2008 both Concert Band and Wind Ensemble competed in the same section of the Redlands Eisteddfod placing first and second respectively. During 2008 we held our rehearsals at the Lions Club whilst the Edgar Harley Hall was relocated to Smith Street Cleveland and refurbished. We then had much more space for rehearsals, music library storage and office equipment.
In 2009 we turned 25 and celebrated in style with an anniversary dinner at the Redlands Sporting Club.
In 2013 the Jazz Improvisation Group was formed to give members the opportunity to improve their musical skills and solo playing. In 2013 and 2014 we were successful in receiving $34,233 with two Grant applications to the Qld Govt Gaming Fund enabling us to purchase portable staging and new music stands with lights. We were also successful with two grant applications of $3000 each to the Redland City Council enabling us to purchase a trophy cabinet and extra seating, and also to engage a planning facilitator to allow us to develop our first Strategic Plan.
In 2014 Wind Ensemble won the Open D Grade Concert Section of the National Band Championships receiving most points for all four categories of Hymn, Test Piece, Own Choice and Stage March. In 2014 we have 91 members in our seven bands.
In 2015 we were successful with three grant applications: two from the Redlands Foundation for a total of $2035 to purchase extra percussion equipment and $3000 from the Redland City Council to purchase a new colour photocopier.
In 2019 we celebrated 35 Years of making music in the Redlands with a It’s a Wrap Concert and with the publication of a 35th Anniversary Magazine 1984 – 2019
In 2025 we celebrated 40 years of the Redland City Bands with a year of celebration concerts including bringing back alumni to play alongside the bands, and celebrating out members with a Ruby Dinner all decked out in Red!
