2001 NationalsSurfers Paradise Brass Band was formed in February 1987 under the leadership of the late Mr Arch Locker. In those days the band was called “Versatile Brass”. The Band remained as a social community band playing regularly around the Gold Coast under that name until 1994 when the name Surfers Paradise Brass Band was adopted.
In March 1997, founding Bandmaster Arch Locker retired from conducting due to ill health. He was replaced by Ilie Grant for a short time and was succeeded in January 1998 by Ron Holmes who had spent many years as a conductor and teacher of junior players on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane.
In July 2000 Alan Trueman was appointed Bandmaster.
The band contested for the first time at the National Band Championships held in Brisbane over the Easter weekend in 2001. Under his conductorship the Band competed successfully in many local district state and national competitions. Alan resigned from the position in April 2006.
In April 2006 Gordon Richmond was appointed Bandmaster. Gordon’s direction of the Band led to it winning the Queensland C Grade Championships in Bundaberg in 2007 followed by 2nd in the Australian National C Grade Championships in 2008.
In July 2008 Dylan Troyahn was appointed to the position of Musical Director. The Band was promoted to B Grade in July 2009 after completing a “clean sweep” of the C Grade events at the State Championships held in Maryborough in June 2009.
In June 2010 the Band competed successfully in B Grade for the first time at the Queensland State Band Championships. The Band achieved a 2nd place, 2 x 3rd places and a 4th place in the major events at the contest. The Band was also asked to perform in the Gala Concert at the Championships.
In February 2011, Dylan resigned to take over the Musical Directorship of the South Brisbane Federal Band.
In May 2011, Scott King was appointed as Musical Director, and to this date has been very successful in the improvement of the Band’s quality of playing.
(Link to Musical Director page ).
Easter 2016 Surfers Paradise Brass for the first time headed interstate to compete in the National Band Championships to be held in Adelaide. They won the stage march and overall tied 3rd place!
July 2021…the moment we’ve all been waiting and working so hard for. On the 17th July 2021, Surfers Paradise Brass moved into their own Band Hall, namely Benowa Hall! A major milestone in the history of the band. Also, the Training Band was given the name of Benowa Brass.