Victorian A Grade Musical Directors Interview: Phillipa Edwards, Louisa Trewartha and Broden Ford

2019 saw Victoria's three A Grade Brass Bands all appoint new Musical Directors. I was fortunate enough to put some questions to Phillipa Edwards (Glenferrie Brass - formerly Kew and Hawthorn Brass Bands), Louisa Trewartha (Footscray Yarraville City Band) and Broden Ford (Darebin City Brass - Preston Band). Read about their thoughts on Australian banding below! 

Jared: In 2019, you were each appointed as Musical Director of one of Victoria’s 3 A Grade brass bands. What has it been like working with your new band?

Phillipa Edwards (Glenferrie Brass): It's been a refreshing change. 17 years at the same band can make you a little stale and can also make you lose your mojo. A new band, a new committee and the amalgamation of Hawthorn and Kew have been a very positive change for Jamie and I, and we're excited about the future.

Louisa Trewartha (Footscray Yarraville City Band): Fortunately, I've been with FYCB since about 2014. So, it's not a new band to me, I'm just waving my arms instead of smashing my face! The band have really risen to the occasion and have supported me firstly for six months as an interim MD, and now as the new MD. They're an incredibly hard working, hilarious, and loyal group of people.

Broden Ford (Darebin City Brass: Preston Band): It’s been fantastic! The players and I share very similar ambitions, so from that perspective we’ve been a really good pairing. It’s been a busy few months since I arrived, already having spent a day in the recording studio, winning the Victorian State Championship and presenting our annual cabaret. Overall, my first impressions and experiences have been really positive, and I’m excited for our future together.
 
All three A Grade bands have a rich and unique history. Has the legacy of your band influenced your musical direction in any way?

Phillipa: I feel I truly do stand on the shoulders of giants at Glenferrie Brass. The history of Hawthorn and Kew bands looms large and the committee, band members and myself are all working towards respecting this past while we forge a new future together.

Louisa: What I particularly love about FYCB is that they do not fit the traditional band stereotypes. Sure, we respect our history, but we're not afraid to break the mould, and we Scraggers are very proud of that fact.

Broden: I am well aware of the band’s rich history, with many wonderful players & conductors having graced the Darebin City Brass organisation in the past 85 years. Having said that, I’m really excited about the here & now, and all the possibilities the future could bring. I suppose my job is to continue the upward trajectory established by Andrew Snell, to bring about sustained success and to perform to the best of our abilities at every contest, concert and community performance. This is a fantastic way of honouring the legacy of those who have come before us.
 
Is there a particular ensemble you aspire your band to be like, whether it be performing, contesting or otherwise?

Phillipa: Cory and Brighouse are particular UK favourites of mine. Brilliant Musical Directors with a very strong community in and around them. I also love the work Ben Northey is doing with the MSO. 

Louisa: No, not really. There are elements of certain people and groups that I admire, but I would and never have aspired to sound like someone else. I admire David King's musicality. I have a lot of respect for Andrew Snell's work with Preston. And I was really impressed with the playing of the brass band of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama under Bob Childs when I saw them last October. They premiered one of my pieces... it was so effortlessly perfect!

Broden: We are all in awe of bands like Cory, Eikanger, Valaisia (just to name a few!) who are the benchmark in the world of banding. Of course, I would love my band to play like them, however I think it’s equally important to open your mind to the music from other genres and cultures. There are always lessons to be learned from a good orchestra, singer, big band or rock band, and having the versatility of sound concepts, styles and approaches to interpretation are so important in the modern world of banding.
 
As Musical Director, what would you like your band to uniquely value in the near future? 

Phillipa: Glenferrie Brass is committed to being Australia's best community band. Every member of the band is valued and we're looking forward to creating a more cohesive and committed core group from the amalgamation of Hawthorn and Kew Bands. 

Louisa: Mostly, I encourage them to value each other and the amazing community we exist within.

Broden: Our current group of players are hungry for competition success, but I feel they’re also open to a range of projects. In the past, we have recorded two CDs, and we’re currently in the process of producing our third recording. There have been casual musings of tours and concerts, but no firm plans have been put in place as yet.
 
What is one thing that you think Australian community banding is doing well in at the moment?

Phillipa: I think our regional bands are doing an excellent job of creating events and opportunities for their members. In particular, the NSW Bands Association is doing a great job supporting and promoting their bands and what they do.

Louisa: I've been really impressed particularly with the sense of community and bums-on-seats I've seen with regional Victorian bands.

Broden: I think we’re doing a lot right at the moment. At the top, bands are continually pushing boundaries and raising standards which I find exciting. Importantly, our banding community are placing a large focus on youth participation and development, and I think relationships between bands and bands-people are increasingly cooperative and respectful. The efforts to achieve sustainability for our banding movement are clear to see, and I’m excited by the future of banding in this country.
 
Conversely, what is one thing you think Australian community banding can improve on in the near future?

Phillipa: I think we need to improve the way we present ourselves to the 'outside' world. If we don't move with times, we will become obsolete. 

Louisa: I'd like to know the stats on this: how many female conductors and principal players are there in Australian bands? Let's start telling girls and women that actually they can be phenomenal leaders. 

Broden: I would love to see bands making more connections with music educators and schools. Unfortunately, so many students are unaware of the existence of community music, so many of their musical journeys end at the completion of high school. Attracting some of these students to our banding community will provide opportunities for them to continue playing, while growing the membership of our bands.
 
 What do you have planned with your band for the next 12 months? Does the band have any particularly exciting endeavours we should keep our eyes peeled for?
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Phillipa: Glenferrie Brass will be participating in the National and State Championships as well as further developing our relationships with Jonathon Welch and his Play it Forward Foundation. There's also the possibility of further professional work… you'll just have to wait and see! But before 2020, we have an Amalgamation Celebration Cabaret Concert this Saturday night the 26th of October!

Louisa: I don't want to give too much away... but local community engagement and collaboration, and regional touring are on the cards.

Broden: We haven’t established our 2020 calendar as yet, although we will definitely be attending the Nationals in Perth, and of course our own state championship in August. Other than that, it will be the usual array of concerts and eisteddfods for us.

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