"WHAT IS A TOWN WITHOUT A BAND?"
The Kempsey Brass Band was established on February 8, 1886. Originally, there were only 14 members who were conducted by Mr. Crichton. He was followed by Mr. T. Lawson in 1889. In 1892 the band, conducted by Randolph Beech, practiced in the School of Arts Hall, Smith Street. By 1914, under Mr Ted Mulhall, the band had grown so much that they even had their own football team. Mr. C. A. Sinner became the Bandmaster in 1917. He was followed by Mr. Lovell in 1921 and Mr. J. Baker 1920-1925. In 1925 the bands' name changed to the Kempsey Silver Band.
Mr. R. L. Sands, the Bandmaster from 1933-36 once said "what is a town without a band?" On 7 April 1934 the band moved to their first permanent home on Verge Street. During the 1930s the band had many leaders: Mr. Harry James 1930, Mr. Wells 1931, Mr. Jeoff Frame 1932 and Mr. R. L. Sands 1933-1939. In the flood of 1949 the bands' home was washed away and the band was homeless.
Due to the loss of their home, the band was forced into recess until 1950 when it was realized that with ANZAC day approaching there was no band. The 1950s also saw a number of Bandmasters: Mr. W. Sands 1950, Mr. J. D. Evans 1952-59 and Mr. Robin Lowe 1959. By the 1960s the band had a home in Sea Street, known as the Band Box Hall. However, the band soon had to share the same premises with the Kempsey Singers and, due to extensions being built; the band had to move to Kempsey High School. During this time (1960-1973) Mr. Dick Hartley was the Bandmaster.
In 1973 the band name officially changed to the Kempsey District Silver Band (KDSB) with District being added to reflect that the band belonged to an area greater than the town. Mr. H. Glendennin was the Bandmaster from 1973-74 and Mr. G. Weekes from 1974-75. By 1978 the band, under the leadership of Richard Blight, had grown to 40 members. In this same year, green and gold became the official uniform colours. During this time the band continued to use the Band Box Hall and Kempsey High School. Mr. I. Brown, the Bandmaster from 1980-4, moved the band to the Kempsey Showground then to the RSL (Returned Soldiers League) Club. Other Bandmasters have included Mr. P. Hodges 1984-9, Mr. T. Cheers 1995-6, Mr. Gale 1996-2001, Malcolm Dixon and Jason Heise. In 2005 the band had to vacate the RSL premises and became homeless again, moving from venue to venue.
Since 2007 the band has had a home at the Richard Blight Music Centre. It was named in honour of past Bandmaster and longest serving member, Richard Blight. He first joined the band as an 11 year old and has been involved in the band for over 60 years. Richard was Bandmaster between 1980-1986 and again from 1989-1995. He also sat on the committee in numerous roles. On 22 March 1984 Richard received his Life Membership badge. To this day, Richard continues to play the euphonium in the band.
Nowadays, the KDSB is both a marching and a concert band. Leonie Capararo is the current Bandmaster for the Senior band and Will Dodds is the current Bandmaster for the Intermediate band.
Life members of the band include: Mr. Dick Hartley, Mr. Tony Hayes, Mr. Jim Tynan, Ian Jones, Harry Glendinning, Hayley Gill, Rodger Knauer, Martinah Muldoon, Grant Baker and Gwen Baker.
To see photographs of the KDSB throughout the years, please explore our photo page.
Mr. R. L. Sands, the Bandmaster from 1933-36 once said "what is a town without a band?" On 7 April 1934 the band moved to their first permanent home on Verge Street. During the 1930s the band had many leaders: Mr. Harry James 1930, Mr. Wells 1931, Mr. Jeoff Frame 1932 and Mr. R. L. Sands 1933-1939. In the flood of 1949 the bands' home was washed away and the band was homeless.
Due to the loss of their home, the band was forced into recess until 1950 when it was realized that with ANZAC day approaching there was no band. The 1950s also saw a number of Bandmasters: Mr. W. Sands 1950, Mr. J. D. Evans 1952-59 and Mr. Robin Lowe 1959. By the 1960s the band had a home in Sea Street, known as the Band Box Hall. However, the band soon had to share the same premises with the Kempsey Singers and, due to extensions being built; the band had to move to Kempsey High School. During this time (1960-1973) Mr. Dick Hartley was the Bandmaster.
In 1973 the band name officially changed to the Kempsey District Silver Band (KDSB) with District being added to reflect that the band belonged to an area greater than the town. Mr. H. Glendennin was the Bandmaster from 1973-74 and Mr. G. Weekes from 1974-75. By 1978 the band, under the leadership of Richard Blight, had grown to 40 members. In this same year, green and gold became the official uniform colours. During this time the band continued to use the Band Box Hall and Kempsey High School. Mr. I. Brown, the Bandmaster from 1980-4, moved the band to the Kempsey Showground then to the RSL (Returned Soldiers League) Club. Other Bandmasters have included Mr. P. Hodges 1984-9, Mr. T. Cheers 1995-6, Mr. Gale 1996-2001, Malcolm Dixon and Jason Heise. In 2005 the band had to vacate the RSL premises and became homeless again, moving from venue to venue.
Since 2007 the band has had a home at the Richard Blight Music Centre. It was named in honour of past Bandmaster and longest serving member, Richard Blight. He first joined the band as an 11 year old and has been involved in the band for over 60 years. Richard was Bandmaster between 1980-1986 and again from 1989-1995. He also sat on the committee in numerous roles. On 22 March 1984 Richard received his Life Membership badge. To this day, Richard continues to play the euphonium in the band.
Nowadays, the KDSB is both a marching and a concert band. Leonie Capararo is the current Bandmaster for the Senior band and Will Dodds is the current Bandmaster for the Intermediate band.
Life members of the band include: Mr. Dick Hartley, Mr. Tony Hayes, Mr. Jim Tynan, Ian Jones, Harry Glendinning, Hayley Gill, Rodger Knauer, Martinah Muldoon, Grant Baker and Gwen Baker.
To see photographs of the KDSB throughout the years, please explore our photo page.