From community concerts and Remembrance Day services to weekly rehearsals, the Perth ensemble brings people together both on and off the stage.
Conductor John Fischer has seen just how deeply a performance can affect an audience.
“The last concert we did moved somebody into tears, and that is pretty special,” he said.
“You can tap into their emotions, or that reflects on those experiences that they’ve had, and that’s what music does. It helps draw those memories.”
These performances can attract people simply passing by, giving them a chance to stop, listen and enjoy live music.
Fischer believes that connection with the wider community is an important part of what the band offers.
“People in the community often don’t have lots of things to enjoy day to day, and music has the power to change somebody’s day,” he said.
Bringing different people together
For the musicians, however, the community begins well before they step in front of an audience.
Each week, people of different ages and backgrounds come together to rehearse. They bring different instruments, abilities and experiences, but share the challenge of turning individual parts into a single performance.
Band member Sonia Hueppauff said that shared effort was what made being part of the band special.
“I think the main take home thing for me is that being part of a community group like this, you’re all from different walks of life, different age groups, and you come together once a week to regularly play what you love,” she said.
The process is not always straightforward. Each instrument has its own part, and the musicians need to listen and respond to one another to make the music work.
Hueppauff said the challenge was part of the appeal, particularly because live music could not be corrected after the performance.
“You’re trying to make all different instruments, which can sound awful all playing separate things, and yet we make music and make it sound decent, which I think is beautiful.”
“It’s not electronic and you can’t alter the sound. It’s live coming out of people’s mouths, so I think that’s pretty special.”
More than the music
Fischer said the band’s role extended beyond rehearsals, with members also working to create a supportive environment where everyone felt included.
“It’s not just the music,” he said.
“There is time for them to fellowship, grab a coffee or tea and truly connect, it’s way beyond just ‘some music’.”
Fischer said these moments helped members build relationships beyond rehearsals, with musicians also connecting with other local bands to support community performances.
“That creates a bigger, better and more inclusive community,” he said.
When the last note fades, the audience takes its own experience away with it. The musicians return to their rehearsals, preparing for the next performance and the next opportunity to share their music.
At Balga Community Band, the music is what people hear, but it’s the community behind it that makes the lasting impact.
Ellie Palmer
Ellie Palmer is a Journalism and Broadcast Media student at Edith Cowan University with a passion for TV journalism and live broadcasting. She enjoys telling engaging stories, speaking with people and bringing important issues to life.
