City of Launceston RSL Band

A Chronological History

With their familiar uniforms of red and black, instruments glinting in the sun, or under the spotlights, this scene is one that alerts the people of the city that the City Of Launceston RSL Band is giving another performance.
The organisation commenced in 1940 as the Invermay School Band based at the Invermay Primary School. As the students left school, the band changed its name to the Invermay Silver Band.
Early 1970’s – As the organisation had purchased a block of land at Mowbray, there was a change of name to Northern Suburbs Silver Band. At this time, the majority of the members were from the Northern suburbs of Launceston. During the 1970’s and early 1980’s the band was very active with a majority of young members and during this time they travelled to the mainland on a number of occasions to compete in the National Band Championships. Whilst their success on stage was limited at this time, the band became very successful in the marching section of the Championships. They were the National C Grade marching champions in 1975, 1976 & 1977.
After many mainland trips, it became evident that the name Northern Suburbs Silver Band left other states wondering where the band was based. As a result, during the late 1980’s there was a further name change to City of Launceston Brass. A proposal was put to the Launceston Council, at this time, for sponsorship in the hope that the band might be taken on as the City’s own band. This was unsuccessful.
During the 1980’s and 1990’s the band became quite successful in the State Band championships and as a result were regraded to B Grade which is where the band compete quite successfully to this day. At the Australian National Band Championships, held in Newcastle NSW in 1997, the band won the title of Display marching Champions of Australia under the direction of drum major David Peters. Sadly this form of music and movement is disappearing from bands repertoires due to the amount of rehearsal time required to perfect this medium.
When the Launceston RSL Club moved premises to their current location, talks were held whereby they hoped to accommodate the band on their premises and sponsor the band. As a result, the Band’s name was changed at this time to Launceston RSL Brass. Unfortunately, the RSL club’s desire proved unachievable. However, with the link between the two organizations having been forged, the band felt that it was in everyone’s best interest to retain the link and name.
The Band won the National B Grade championships in 2000 in Launceston and are the highest graded band in the north of the state and still compete regularly in state and national competitions at the Easter 2010 National championship the band became the National B Grade Marching Champions.
The band run a successful series of concerts every year and are grateful to the citizens of Launceston for their continued support. In 2004 the band played a concert to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the passing of Alex F. Lithgow who is a Launceston composer of worldwide renown. Some of Lithgow’s previously unpublished works were performed for the first time. A truly historic occasion. It was the bands' responsibility to organize the Mayors Charity Concert in aid of RSL Welfare. Both of these concerts held in the Princess Theatre attracted excellent crowds and very favourable audience feedback. Added to this program is the Anzac Day Parade and Service, the Christmas Parade and Carols By Candlelight, all of which the band is pleased to support.
Following a request to council in late 2004 to be appointed as the city’s brass band, the decision was finally adopted by a unanimous vote of aldermen to accede to this request and from July 1st 2005 the band officially became the CITY OF LAUNCESTON RSL BAND. This initial appointment ran for two years and the band has been re-appointed for further, longer periods, this appointment is still ongoing. The band would like to ask for the continued support of the community and would greatly appreciate any comments or suggestions from members of the public regarding our musical future.