CONSORT Music's Roger Griffiths, Bass'n'Blues Music Megastore in Taree, and Conservatorium Mid North Coast are on a mission to make the Manning Valley more musical.
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Between the three of them, they are bringing affordable instruments and musical lessons to our local schools with a school band program with low cost or no cost options.
Bass'n'Blues and the Conservatorium MNC provide the instruments as cheaply as possible with rental and rent-to-buy programs, while Roger provides musical and instrumental instruction to the children, and conducts the bands.
Roger is a multi-instrumentalist who has had an illustrious career in the defence forces as a musician. With 21 years in the regular army and 10 in the Reserves, Roger has served as the band master of the Artillery Band in Sydney, the musical director of the Australian Army Band Newcastle, Regimental Sergeant Major of the Defence Force School of Music and had a six-month exchange stint in the UK.
When he retired from the army, he had the chance to follow his passion and developed the school band program while he was working in Sydney.
"I have a passion for teaching music to kids. So much so that when I retired from the army I became a school teacher at SCECGS Redland," Roger explains.
"I was at SCECGS for 15 years as the band director and I developed that program through my association with them.
"And that school was very supportive I probably had 500 kids a week learning instruments, and there were bands galore. We took bands to Europe.
"And that's why when I came up here I was so disappointed there was no active music in schools as far as bands. So I thought 'I'll do something about that' and fortunately Tanya Brown from Bass'n'Blues came on board, she pointed me in the right direction.
"Like any musician, you're never going to make a fortune. But the reward is teaching kids to enjoy music, is seeing all these kids play instruments. That's my biggest satisfaction."
Tinonee Public School was the first to join up, and is now the benchmark for the other schools - Taree West and Cundletown Public Schools, and St Josephs Primary School Taree. Wingham Brush Public School is the latest addition to the program, with the band to start in 2016.
While attempts have been made to start bands in local high schools, they have been unsuccessful. This was one of the reasons for the formation of the Manning Valley Youth Band - an offshoot of the renamed and revamped Manning Valley Concert Band.
Five years ago Roger was hired as the musical director of the Manning Valley Concert Band, whose repertoire ranges from classical to jazz and swing. He developed the youth band two years ago to be a feeder for the 'senior' band, and provide an outlet for children leaving primary school and still wishing to play in a band. Bass'n'Blues sponsor the youth band and provide the uniforms.
Roger is keen to stress that the bands welcome children and adults of all ages and abilities. The senior band is also looking for members, and he says it doesn't matter if you are a complete beginner - the band will teach you.
Schools looking to initiate a band program, or anyone wishing to join the junior or senior concert bands, can contact Tanya Brown at Bass'n'Blues Music Megastore on 6551 5067 or Roger at Consort Music on 0423 466965.
julia.driscoll@fairfaxmedia.com.au