Locations
Australian Army Band Tasmania
The Australian Army Band Tasmania (AAB-T) has been serving the Tasmanian community for well over 100 years. Its role is to enhance the image of the Australian Army through community and military engagements and to provide music support for ceremonial functions.
AAB-T also performs at major events and regularly supports charitable organisations. They are equally at home on the parade ground, the concert hall or on centre stage and can perform as a concert band, marching band, big band, rock band, woodwind quintet and fanfare team in a wide variety of genres which is sure to suit any event.
For enquiries, please email AAB Tasmania – aabandtasmania.contact@defence.gov.au.
The Australian Army Band Sydney, located at historic Victoria Barracks is dedicated to enhancing the public image of the Australian Army.
Australian Army Band Sydney
The Australian Army Band Sydney is widely acknowledged as one of Australia’s most dynamic and active musical ensembles. Within the City of Sydney, the band is primarily responsible for providing ceremonial support for Vice-Regal events. Its other important function is to provide musical assistance to Australian Defence Force units based within, and outside of the Sydney metropolitan area. This encompasses a range of tasks including parades, unit functions, church services, ramp ceremonies and training activities.
The vibrant enthusiasm, tight section playing and show-stopping soloists ensure that the Sydney band is in constant demand to support high profile public events, including the Australia Day celebrations at Darling Harbour, Jazz in the Vines and other jazz festivals in the region. Of equal significance is the band’s philosophy to provide ongoing musical support for charitable and community projects within the wider community. When the calendar allows, the band endeavours to tour to outlying areas of regional New South Wales, where access to quality live music is limited.
The Australian Army Band Sydney has the capability to provide a range of ensembles for any occasion. The rock band, most recently showcased at the Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix, are a 9 piece ensemble with an extensive repertoire of hits ranging from the classics of the 60's and 70's to today’s top 40 hits. There is also a 20 piece big band which was ARIA nominated for 'Best Contemporary Jazz Album' in 2003, promoting the works of contemporary composers and arrangers whilst upholding the traditional standards of swing music.
Marching band, bugler and drummer support are also available for ceremonial parades, funerals, services and military training activities. The band also has the capacity to provide smaller ensembles for formal occasions or for venues where space is limited. These ensembles include a variety of jazz ensembles, a saxophone quartet, a brass quartet and a solo pianist.
For enquiries, please email AAB Sydney – aabs.ops@defence.gov.au.
The 1 RAR Band continues to be a highly regarded component of the Australian Defence Force in North Queensland.
Band of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment
Based at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville, The Band of The 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR Band) has a long and proud history tracing back to its inception on the island of Moratai in 1945 with the 65th Battalion, 2nd Australian Imperial Forces which would later become the 1st Battalion. 1 RAR Band has since served in all theatres of war with the battalion up until the end of the Vietnam War.
In 1994 the band’s role was changed to “the strategic shaping of Army's public image”. At this time the band was staffed by both musicians and infantrymen until the year 2000 when personnel changed to include only members of the Australian Army Band Corps, and for the first time, the introduction of females into the band and therefore the battalion. Since then the band has completed four successful deployments to Timor Leste and most recently one to the Middle East area of operations.
At home the band is tasked with providing support to both the Defence and civilian communities of North Queensland. When time permits, the band continues to build on strong relationships forged over many years with the various community organisations in the region. Using opportunities to promote Defence in the most positive of ways, the band offers support to worthy charities, festivals and shows throughout the region.
1 RAR Band also provides extensive support to music education programs and schools to increase childrens exposure to live music. Each year the band works tirelessly throughout the primary and secondary school systems performing a modern, high energy show which appeals to a teenage audience. This not only helps to build and develop musical interest in the younger generation, but brings a more human face to what can be perceived as an intimidating organisation.
The band’s variety of ensembles provides support to many organisations and caters for a wide range of musical tastes. These ensembles include a big band, marching band, rock band, jazz group, dixie band, as well as brass and saxophone ensembles.
For enquiries, please email Band of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment – Townsville – 1rarband.contact@defence.gov.au.
The Band of the Royal Military College: one of Australia’s premier military bands.
Band of the Royal Military College
The Band of the Royal Military College, often referred to as RMC Band or the Duntroon Band is based in Canberra. Its role for the Army and the Australian Defence Force is predominantly ceremonial in support of Vice-Regal and government agencies, Defence Headquarters and the Royal Military College, but off the parade ground it performs as a concert band and has a variety of smaller ensembles as well.
These ensembles include a concert band, marching band, stage band, woodwind quintet, brass quintet, jazz ensemble, rock band, dixie band (known as the Steamboat Stompers), saxophone quartet, clarinet quartet, and woodwind trio. This versatility enables the band to cover all ceremonial tasking in the ACT and to perform a regional role through community engagement.
The band’s deployments have included support to OP BELISI II - Peace Monitoring Group - Bougainville, OP WARDEN - International Force East Timor (INTERFET) and OP ANODE - Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands. International engagements have included representing Australia in Paris for the 50th Anniversary of Armistice Day in 1968, ceremonial activities in London commemorating the Centenary of Federation in 2000 and ceremonial duties at Gallipoli on Anzac Day 2003.
In support of the community, the band is a respected participant in the arts life of Canberra. In addition to concerts at many of Canberra's national institutions, the band is well known for its regular Music at Midday series held at the Canberra Theatre. This series commenced in 1993 and has raised in excess of $300,000 for local charities.
For enquiries, please email Band of the Royal Military College – rmcband.contact@defence.gov.au.
Australian Army Band Perth provides support to Defence and community organisations in Western Australia through musical performance.
Australian Army Band Perth contributes directly to the well being of both the Army and the community
Australian Army Band Perth is based at Irwin Barracks, Karrakatta. This distinguished group maintains a high standard of performance at official and public performances in the state through participation in military ceremonies and parades, Regal, Vice Regal, Federal and State Government ceremonial functions, music education programs, concerts and community events.
The band was formed in 1949 as a brass band, called the Western Command Band and was converted to a concert band in 1972. 1992 was a landmark year where the band received its current title and was awarded Freedom of Entry to the City. Another major change occurred in 1993 where the military band was transformed from a full time Army Band to a part time Army Reserve Band.
The pipes and drums were formed in 1936 as part of the Sixteenth Battalion Cameron Highlanders of Western Australia. This association continued through several battalion name changes until 1969 when the band's name was changed to the Western Command Pipes and Drums. Then in 1974 they were re-named the Fifth Field Force Group Pipes and Drums and in 1980 the 5th Military District Pipes and Drums. The band was named the Army Reserves Pipes and Drums Perth on the 1st July 1992. In 1999 the name changed to the Australian Army Pipes and Drums Perth and now both military and pipe bands are now known as the Australian Army Band Perth.
The band’s two major capabilities are the military band and the pipes and drums. Australian Army Band Perth is also able to provide support with smaller ensembles which can include; rock band, big band, jazz ensemble, acoustic group, drummers, vocalists, buglers and pipers.
For enquiries, please email AAB Perth – aabandperth.contact@defence.gov.au.
The Australian Army Band Newcastle is an Army reserve band situated in Bullecourt Barracks, Adamstown NSW.
Australian Army Band Newcastle
With a short break of service after World War Two, under various names and configurations, the Australian Army Band Newcastle has existed as the Hunter Region’s own military band since 1861. Like all Australian Army bands, the Australian Army Band Newcastle is capable of performing a wide variety of musical styles and genres suited to most occasions.
The band's make up is constructed around a wind ensemble though it also features a Pipes and Drums section making it a very versatile package. The band is primarily made up of Army reserve, or part time musicians. These musicians are members of the local community who, in addition to their normal employment, are employed on a casual basis by the Australian Army. The band is heavily invested in the support and promotion of the Australian Defence Force, whilst striving to develop music and musicians within the Hunter region.
The band's main role is to support and promote the Australian Defence Force units within the Hunter region of NSW, though they are also very active in community development and support. Members of the Australian Army Band Newcastle enjoy the privileges of being an Australian Army musician, a part time job that offers amazing performing opportunities both domestically and internationally.
For enquiries, please email AAB Newcastle – aabandnewcastle.contact@defence.gov.au.
The Band of the 1st Brigade provides musical support and promotes the public image of Defence units throughout the Northern Territory.
Australian Army Band Darwin
The Band of the 1st Brigade was formed in 1988 and is the sole Defence band in the Northern Territory. The band re-located to Robertson Barracks in 2020, and officially changed its name from the Australian Army Band Darwin, to Band of the 1st Brigade.
The main function of the band is to provide musical support to Defence units throughout the Northern Territory. In addition to military tasks, the band provides extensive support to local community events, charities and shows within the region.
For enquiries, please email 1 BDE Band (Darwin) – 1brigadeband.contact@defence.gov.au.
The Australian Army Band Brisbane is Army's regional support band for southeast Queensland and is based at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera.
Australian Army Band in Brisbane
Since its formation in 1949, the Australian Army Band Brisbane has become known throughout southeast Queensland as one of the finest military bands in Australia, enjoying a wide reputation for its musical excellence and impressive military appearance.
The Australian Army Band Brisbane provides musical support to Regal, Vice-Regal, State and ceremonial activities and it often appears at significant community events. To its principal client, the Army, the band maintains a capability that enables it to contribute to supporting soldiers in barracks, on operations and on the parade ground.
In its concert format the band frequently performs for the public, performing a vast variety of musical styles ranging from traditional military music to contemporary popular music such as jazz and rock. The band often supports philanthropic initiatives within the community and provides support to arts education through its school support programme.
The band’s contribution to the community has been recognised by the cities of Brisbane, Gold Coast and Redlands, all of which have granted Freedom of Entry to the band.
For enquiries, please email AAB Brisbane – aabandbrisbane.contact@defence.gov.au.
Located in Canberra, AAB HQ coordinates all Army band activities and operations.
Australian Army Headquaters Canberra
Formerly the Directorate of Music – Army, Australian Army Band Headquarters (AAB HQ) was raised on the 1 January 2014. AAB HQ provides the command function across the AAB including forging relationships between each band and Army Headquarters (AHQ), developing policy, coordinating overseas engagements, and performs the business management function to ensure bands have sufficient resources and personnel to carry out their role.
AAB HQ is nested within AHQ at Russell Offices and is staffed by the Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, Regimental Sergeant Major, Operations Warrant Officer, Logistic Manager, and Technical Sergeant.
For enquiries, please email AAB Headquarters – aaband.recruiting@defence.gov.au.
The Australian Army Band Kapooka provides musical support to the Army Recruit Training Centre and to the Riverina community.
Australian Army Band Kapooka provides musical support to the Army Recruit Training Centre
Since 1952 the Army Recruit Training Centre (ARTC) has been served by a full time military band. Originally a brass band with 12 members, the unit has grown in reputation and now boasts a posted strength of 22 musicians performing on brass, woodwind and rhythm section instruments. As well as a marching band, Australian Army Band Kapooka (AAB-K) proudly boasts a stage band, rock band, jazz ensemble as well as brass and saxophone groups. This versatility means most genres of music can be performed and the band can cater for all musical tastes. AAB-K continues its primary role of supporting ARTC and is therefore kept busy performing at march out parades and other functions within the Kapooka Military Area. In addition to military and ceremonial roles, the band provides support to local and regional charitable organisations and communities in the Riverina. In particular, the band performs a series of Music at Midday concerts in Wagga, the final concert in the annual Twilight by the Lagoon concert series and the Wagga Wagga Christmas Spectacular.
In 2009, AAB-K was granted Freedom of Entry to the City of Wagga Wagga to mark, commemorate and acknowledge 56 years of dedicated and distinguished service to the City and the Riverina. This privilege is regarded as the highest compliment offered to a military unit by a civilian organisation or community.
As well as providing support to military and civilian communities, the band has also proudly represented Australia overseas on tours and deployments including Papua New Guinea in 1990, East Timor in 2000 and 2001, Bougainville in 2004, Japan in 2004 and Tonga in 2011.
For enquiries, please email AAB Kapooka – aabandkapooka.contact@defence.gov.au.
The Australian Army Band Melbourne is the Australian Army Band’s presence in Victoria and serves both military and civilian communities with pride.
Australian Army Band Melbourne
The Australian Army Band Melbourne has been at the forefront of military and ceremonial band music in Victoria since 1940. During that time it has become an integral part of Melbourne, sharing in every part of the growing city’s life as well as promoting Army to all regional areas of the state.
In its role to enhance the public image of the Army the band has performed at some of Melbourne’s highest profile events such as the Formula One Grand Prix and Anzac Day AFL matches at the MCG. The band also performs for local communities in regional Victoria as well as providing support to Defence clientele throughout the state.
The band has the capability to provide a concert band, parade band, jazz ensemble, rock band, woodwind quintet, saxophone quartet, a New Orleans style Pep Band, and other ensembles to suit the occasion.
For enquiries, please email AAB Melbourne – aabandmelbourne.contact@defence.gov.au.
A 40 piece musical ensemble enhancing the public image of Army in South Australia.
Australian Army Band Adelaide
The Australian Army Band Adelaide remains the primary musical capability for Army in South Australia and provides support to Defence units and the regional community. Capabilities include a big band, jazz ensemble, brass quintet, fanfare team, rock band and a marching band for ceremonial occasions.
The band was formed in 1950 to serve the growing needs of the military and was known then as the Central Command Band. In 1973 the band changed to a concert band and was renamed The Band of the Fourth Military District. The band then changed to its current title in 1993 and became a part time ensemble in 1994.
The band is a 40 piece entertainment ensemble that performs everything from jazz to classical and Broadway musicals to rock. The band prides itself on performing concert programmes that appeal to all age groups and all tastes of music, setting it apart from other musical ensembles. This distinguished group of musicians maintain a high standard of performance at official and public events in both Adelaide and regional South Australia.
For enquiries, please email AAB Adelaide – aabandadelaide.contact@defence.gov.au.