Our Story
Southern Area Concert Band started in 1971 as an extension activbity for students looking for challenge outside of school music programs.
During the 1980's and 1990's we went through a period of growth, with member numbers reaching 60+.
In 2005, SACB started a new Training band, designed for musicians at upper primary and lower secondary levels, and returning musicians.
![DSC_0263[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b64525_cec22ec575274b2bb057bc55d97bfaad~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_300,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/DSC_0263%5B1%5D.jpg)
2018 saw a rebranding of the Training Band to form the Southern Area Wind Band.
In 2021, the Southern Area Concert Band celebrated its 50-year anniversary.
Southern Area Concert Band commenced operation in 1971 as an extension activity for school students who wanted a challenge outside of school music. The first music director of SACB was Nancy Ovenden who was succeeded by Craig Seymour in 1975.
The initial committee of management of the SACB was made up of parents of the band members. These dedicated individuals managed the band on meagre finances (by today's standards), and various shifts in venues. They also presided over a period of growth and established a firm direction for the band to follow. Around the 1980's saw another period of change when the initial school students became older and still wanted to play in the band. A decision was made to allow them to stay on and the SACB made the transition from being a band as an extension of school bands, into a full community band. This also brought about changes in the band's organisational structure. Where the first committees were parents of band members, later committees comprised of the band members themselves, which has continued to this day.
In the 1980's and 1990's SACB went through a period of growth where the band sometimes had up to 70 members on the books, and upon joining the Victorian Bands' League enjoyed considerable competition success in 'A' grade and 'B' grade championships. This extended to National Band Championships where the band became the champion National B grade band on a few occasions. The band undertook successive tours to Adelaide and Sydney to compete in the National Championships.
With the change of century brought about another transition with SACB, and we saw new directions to follow and new changes in band structure. Craig Seymour, who faithfully led the band for over 30 years, retired from his position of Music Director in 2005 which led to Darryn Wright being appointed the new MD of SACB.
​
In 2005 SACB made a decision to start a Training Band, which was designed for musicians of upper primary/lower secondary level, and musicians who were coming back into playing their instruments. Jeremy de Korte led the training band from its inception until handing the reigns to Eve Macleod in mid 2008 after Jeremy's resignation. Eve continued to conduct the Training Band until the end of 2009, when Trevor Cartwright was asked to step into the position after Eve's resignation. From December 2011 to 2013 the Training Band was led by Jenny Corcoran, followed by Nicole Marshall and Jacinta Ewers from the beginning of 2015.
Our Training Band took on slight new direction and re-branding in January 2018, becoming the Southern Area Wind Band under the leadership of Jacinta Ewers and Nicole Marshall.
The Southern Area Concert Band celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021 and continues to thrive, providing a safe and supported space for musicians (both starting and experienced) to play, practice and learn.
Life Members
Don Scott
Don Scott was a non-playing member of the SACB and fulfilled the role of Treasurer for 14 years.
Joined 1971 Awarded 1981
Tracy Videon
Tracy joined the band in 1978 playing euphonium, and continued on to the position of Assistant Conductor. Tracy and Geoff were the first playing members to join the committee.
Joined 1978 Awarded 1988
Geoff Field
Geoff Field joined the band in 1982 playing percussion. He has been on the committee since 1983, holding the role of Property Officer for most of those (except for periods as President in 1994 and 1995 - also as Treasurer in 1995 - and Vice President in 1996 and 2000), and is still an active playing member of the band. Geoff and Tracy were the first playing members to join the committee.
Joined 1982 Awarded 1992
Jeremy de Korte
eremy de Korte joined the band in 1988 as a young oboe player and has been a continuous member ever since, including periods of time while he was working as a music teacher in regional Victoria and New South Wales. Jeremy was instrumental in the formation of the Southern Area Training Band, which commenced operation in 2005 under Jeremy's very capable baton. Jeremy has also served the band as assistant conductor of the concert band.
Joined 1988 Awarded 2013
Nancy Ovenden
Nancy Ovenden was the band's original music director and re-joined the band in 1976. Nancy continued to be an active playing member of Southern Area Concert Band until her death on January 24, 2010. A fitting tribute to Nancy's Life can be found here
​
Obituary
Mrs. Nancy Ovenden passed away peacefully on the afternoon of January 24th, 2010 after a period of illness.
Nancy was made a Life Member of the SACB in 1986, and was always happy to share her 60+ years of musical experience with anyone who asked. She provided a solid rock in the clarinet section of the band from when she re-joined the band in 1976, and as an instrumental music teacher, Nancy has continuously supplied the band with new members, the most recent of whom joined the band in December 2009.
In memory of Nancy's long time support for the band, the committee has voted to create the "Nancy Ovenden Perpetual Trophy" . This trophy will be awarded each year at the Annual General Meeting to a worthy recipient that shows the characteristics that Nancy displayed - dedication to the band, musicianship and commitment to community music making.
Joined 1971 Awarded 1986
Darryn Wright
Darryn Wright joined the band as an alto saxophone player in 1997 after moving to Melbourne from Tasmania. During his time in the band, Darryn has also played flute, percussion and tenor saxophone. He became President in 1999 and held this position in the band until taking over the Music Director's role in 2007, making Darryn the band's longest serving President.
​
Obiturary
Mr. Darryn Wright passed away peacefully on September 23rd, 2018
Joined 1997 Awarded 2013
Craig Seymour
Craig Seymour retired from his position of Music Director of the SACB in 2005, and has since been honoured with the title of Emeritus Music Director for his years of service to the band and community music.
Obituary
Mr. Craig Seymour passed away peacefully on August 26th, 2012
Craig was made a Life Member of the SACB in 1986, and devoted over thirty years of his life to the development of young musicians both through his work with Southern Area Concert Band, and his work through the Victorian Education Department as a specialist woodwind teacher, instructor and musician.
In memory of Craig's support for the band, the committee has voted to create the "Craig Seymour Perpetual Trophy" . This trophy will be presented each year at our AGM to a worthy recipient from out Training Band that shows the characteristics that Craig displayed - dedication to the band, musicianship and commitment to community music making.
Joined 1976 Awarded 1986
Peter Northwood
Peter joined the Band in 1999 as a Clarinet player and currently plays Bass Clarinet. He was the Band's Secretary from 2000 until 2006. He was President from 2007 to 2009 and again in 2016 and 2017. He was also Vice President in 2013.
Joined 1999 Awarded 2009