Testimonials

I’ve been a musician for as long as I can remember. First it was the violin – but we didn’t quite get along. Next I tried the flute, then the oboe, and finally I thought I found my match with the harp. We did a lot together: camps, ensembles, exams, and I thought harp was the one for me – until one day it just didn’t feel like home. I was totally lost. I needed something, literally anything, to keep the music going.

Inspiration strikes – I’ll play the tuba!! It’s completely and utterly the diametrical opposite of the harp, surely some variation will do me good.

…. and inspiration falters – where exactly am I supposed to get a tuba?

I pondered this question for a number of months. It seemed the best option would be a community band – I’d heard they would offer low cost instrument rentals to players. They all seemed to be for adults, though, and being 16 and having no experience, I was terrified to enter a room full of skilled grown-ups. I also needed somewhere I could easily get to on public transport, and as great as bands in Dandenong or Preston may be, I just couldn’t get there.

Enter Hyde Street Youth Band. Free rentals. Kids and young adults of every age. A tram from Footscray station. A bonafide eureka moment. Despite my apprehensions, and despite the demands of year 10, I plucked up my courage and decided to attend a rehearsal, and I haven’t looked back. `

Since that day, over two years ago, I’ve been introduced to the incredible world of brass banding, and the innumerable opportunities that it brings – playing at community carols, state and national competitions, local festivals, the afl grand final parade, and of course the lifelong friendships and community that music ensures. Beyond just the development of a community, brass banding guarantees personal development. I’ve participated in solo and ensemble competitions, gained significant skill on the tuba, and have just received my offer for entry into the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, on tuba, in the coming semester. I owe the manner in which my life has turned out, as well as my future as a musician, solely to the Hyde Street Youth Band and its warm, inclusive community.

Hyde Street Youth Band has given me lots of laughter, enjoyment and musical opportunities.

I play soprano cornet in the band, and while I am new to the group, I have already made some great friendships and memories.

The band is full of energy – I remember before the first rehearsal, standing outside the entrance to the band room, feeling a little apprehensive and not sure what to expect. The minute I walked in the door I felt accepted and included. I felt at home, and people were happy to see a new face. The band is filled with many creative people, who all love to play music, and are of varying abilities; ranging from beginners (in the Learner Band) to students studying at Uni (in the Youth Band).

Practice is fun, we work hard but have room for jokes and laughing. Nationals was a great experience, playing together and staying in the same place.

At extended rehearsal and competitions, the parents and committee members often prepare excellent snacks for us, which is an added bonus (they also double as our cheer squad). I didn’t own a soprano cornet at first, so the band let me use one of theirs, free of charge.

I have just been accepted into Melbourne University’s Conservatorium of Music, where I’ll be studying trumpet in 2025. There are some other Hyde Street band members there next year as well and I will have an automatic support network when I start because at Hyde Street the band members all back each other up. Everyone, from the oldest to youngest player, gets lots of encouragement. I really recommend Hyde Street. But don’t take my word for it, come along and give it a try yourselves.

My name is Fergus, I’m twenty years old, and have been a member of Hyde Street Youth Band since 2017. Hyde Street really served as my introduction to the greater world of music and has been an incredibly integral part of my life since. Being a member of the band has offered me an incredible breadth of opportunities, such as national and state level competitions, public performances in front of huge crowds and international band tours, and these events are always the highlights of my year.

Hyde Street has welcomed me into such an amazing community of wonderful musicians, and has not only given me a sense of belonging and friendship, but has nurtured my passion to the point of becoming a national level musician. The community has allowed me to network with internationally renowned brass players, and as a result, I started studying at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music in 2023, under the mentorship of MSO player Tim Buzbee. This would not have been possible had I not been welcomed into the Hyde Street and greater brass community.

Hyde Street Youth Band has welcomed and embraced me into the wider world of music and musicians. My passion for music was sparked here, and has been nurtured and encouraged constantly, and has made it so much more than just a hobby, but a hugely important and fulfilling part of my life.

After leaving school, I thought my musical journey was over, an unfortunately common situation. Then, I was invited by a friend to join the Hyde Street Youth band, which turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. I have found the warmest, most welcoming music community in the Hyde Street Youth Band. Through weekly rehearsals, I have gained so many friends as well as music and life skills.

I came to the band having never previously played a brass instrument and throughout this year have been taught and encouraged by all members of the band. I had no idea of the brass banding world before this year and how far the community goes to be hugely inviting and inclusive in all their events.

This year I played in band and solo competitions, which although are not the focus of music making, have improved my skills as a musician. I have performed all around the state and internationally, all thanks to the band. We perform at incredible venues and with hugely talented musicians and everyday I am reminded of the kindness and enthusiasm of the band and everyone’s aim to play music at the highest level together.

Hyde Street has been a source of improvement and learning for me ever since I joined 2 years ago. The doors are always open for new musicians and we continuously have the most fun music, it’s been an absolute pleasure playing with so many skilled musicians in such a friendly and energetic atmosphere.

My personal favourite thing about the rehearsals is Phillipa’s strong focus on musicality in a piece, all the attention to the small details can really impact the listener and elevate the playing which in turn makes playing even more fun, especially in all the competitions we perform in.

I like being at Hyde Street because I have a passion for playing music and I get to share this with others who have the same passion (even if they are much older than me). They make me feel accepted and included. I like performing at Nationals and State competitions because it’s an opportunity for the band to showcase OUR style, OUR youthful approach to brass banding.

I love to watch Beth and Ms Phillipa conducting the band and “do the same” one day. I also love listening to Beth play the cornet.

Although I have only played in HSYB for a couple of months, I’ve made lots of friends. I already knew maybe half the people from my brothers James and Will (who have been in the band for years). At first, I thought I wasn’t really good enough (because I was looking at Ben who is amazing!) . But now I know everyone and I feel like I fit in.

I have actually been involved for a couple of years, but just helping out at Marches (like Anzac Day) with holding the banner out the front of the band. But playing is soooo much more fun! Now I get to play in the actual band. Woohoo!

I’ve been in the Hyde Street Youth Band for 5 years, and before that, in the Hyde Street Junior Band from when I was 6. Throughout the overall 9 years that I have been a part of the band community I have always felt supported. More than just that, working and performing alongside bandmates made me want to play my part well not just for myself, but for everyone else. On an individual level the band encourages and challenges me to become a better musician.

The amazing, genuine people we have in this community create such a positive and supportive environment. The people always manage to lift my mood and the fantastic music that comes along with it is a gift to us playing and those listening.

It has been great for making friends who have different interests. The thing we have in common is that we all play music. It is nice meeting older musicians who welcomed me and introduced me to other people. They are better musicians than me and this gives me a goal to work towards. I have become a much better brass player and doing AMEB exams is easier. The camps mean you can explore new places and spend time with the friends you make.

Hyde Street has been an opening to many doors for me as a percussionist and a cornet player, I’ve been able to play in a band setting which has been fun to connect with mates and make new friends doing what I love, while playing at a high level. The musical directors always push us to practice and play the best we can, they are supportive and sometimes grumpy. I’ve really enjoyed it and would recommend it to all looking for a new hobby or to build on love of music.

When I started at Hyde Street in 2018, on the very first day it was a really respectful and inclusive place where everyone was valued for who they were, and what they could bring to the group. There is nothing in life like having a place where you feel you truly belong, for which I will be forever grateful. The people at Hyde Street have always have kept up that expectation and I doubt it will stop being that way.

The conductors never let us down and the parents support the band and members. They helped me improve very quickly and I wouldn’t have been able to perform at national and state level in recent years without them, and the band, camps and activities have led to consistent development