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A warm welcome from all our band members!


The following people are integral to the everyday workings of the band, included are our tireless committee who help us perform to the best of our ability as well as the players and of course our conductor.

 
Adrian van Gaalen -  Cornet


Drives trucks for Maroochy Shire Council. Started playing side drum at 10 with the Chinchilla Town Band then moved to Bb cornet.
Joined Sunshine Brass in 1971 after moving from Dalby where he had been playing with the Dalby Silver Band. Adrian has never been taught to play, but has been playing for approx. 44 years.
He claims his musical highlight to be being a band member for most of his life and enjoying what he does. Adrian was awarded Life-Membership in April 2000 for his continuous service to the band and his impeccable record at playouts and rehearsals. He also plays in a 60-40 dance band that performs regularly at local dances.
Adrian is the Bugler for Nambour RSL, playing for the dawn service and morning services on Anzac day in Nambour.

Adrian, being our new 'Drum Major' commands the highest level of respect and hates having anything funny written about him because he's such a serous bloke.

   


   


   


   
Archie Robertson (1st Baritone)

Finally back on his preferred and best instrument, Archie enjoys a beer after rehearsal..
   


   
   


   


   
Bryan Pickard - Instrument Registrar (EEb Bass)
Started playing when I turned 40 years. I took my son to the town band at Casino NSW. He wanted to play trumpet. The musical director, Cheryl Siddon said I haven't got a trumpet but your son can play baritone... and you can play tuba. She started teaching me, I continued when I came
to Nambour 2 years later. When I went along to the band and found that they liked a beer. Lenny Radford continued the teaching. I
I am a solicitor in private practice. 

Career Highlight: Winning national B grade. Going to my first Qld championships at Rocky
in 1992.
   




   


   


   


   
Gordon 'Elvis' Parker -  Trombon)
First studied music at Sydney Conservatorium of Music for 3 years, he has played in the National Youth Orchestra and dance bands. He then gave up playing for 20 years until he was needed to play in a school musical. Joined Sunshine Brass in 2002 after retiring from teaching and moved to the Sunshine Coast from Sydney. Gordon's musical highlights include playing at the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Town Hall, being a member of a 10 piece dance band "Power of Ten" for 4 years and playing with the N.S.W. Ambulance Service Band.Gordon plays in both Sunshine Brass and Sunshine Swing on Trombone.
   


   
Jocelyn van Gaalen - Librarian


Jocelyn's first involvement with brass bands was in 1972 when she moved to Nambour after marrying Adrian, who was already a member of the band. She has been heavily involved in the background of the band with photocopying, library duties and more importantly feeding the horde of vultures that descend during day rehearsals.
Jocelyn was presented with Life Membership to the band in May 2003 for her tireless efforts.
   



   
John Loxton (Eb Bass)

An Accountant playing Eb Bass formerly on baritone.
   


   


   


   
Karen Smith (Soprano Cornet)


Karen is one of our most experienced players, having played cornet for 27 years. Under the tuition of Lenny Radford began on Euphonium in May 1975, and upon joining Nambour & Maroochy District Junior Band in November of that year, changed to Bb cornet. She has played with a number of bands, Runaway Bay & District Band, Beenleigh Brass and returned to Nambour & Maroochy District Band (now Sunshine Brass) in 1990.
Karen has a number of highlights, in 1978 she attended her first QLD Championships at 12 and won the U/14 cornet and came 2nd in the Junior Champion of Champions. In 1976 she won the U/16 Bb Cornet at Qld Championships, in 1983 won the U/19 QLD Championship.
In 2002, Karen changed to Eb Soprano Cornet and won yet another QLD Championship.
Karen received a 25 year LONG SERVICE AWARD from QBA at the bands AGM in August, 2003.


 

 
   
Katie Smith (2nd Cornet)



   


   
Margaret Wilson (Treasurer)

   


   
Paul Smith -  Tenor Horn


Paul began playing cornet at 12, joining the Gold Coast City Junior Band, under the tuition of the late Goldie Holmes soon after. After relocating, Paul joined the Runaway Bay Band in 1978 and then Beenleigh Brass in 1988 before moving to Nambour & Maroochy District Band in 1990. He has been a cabinetmaker since 1974 and has been unfortunately given most construction jobs within the band because of his talent.
Paul's highlight was touring the North Island of New Zealand in 1974 with the Gold Coast City Band.
He was elected President of Sunshine Brass in August, 2003.
Paul received his 25 years LONG SERVICE AWARD from QBA at the bands AGM in August 2003.
   
Rob Buchanan (Timpani)
Joined Sunshine Brass in 1961 on drums, currently playing timpani (and anything else that makes noise). Robbie says his musical higlight was winning the "B" Grade Australian Titles with the band in 1997
   
Rob Chandler (2nd Trombone)
Rob is a retired optical mechanic, butcher and milk vendor, who came to Sunshine Brass in April 2003 as a welcome addition to our trombone section. Rob received Life Membership to Sunnybank Brass Band in 2002 and enjoyed many successes with them.
   


   


   


   


   


   
Tim Dodds (Solo Euphonium)

A Eupho playing Dentist.
   


   


   


   

 

  

Sunshine Brass | Nambour & Maroochy District Band Inc. | Sunshine Coast, Queensland
www.sunshinebrass.com.au