About Us

Formed in 1962 the Blacktown City Band has regularly performed in many festivals, concerts and religious festivities in both New South Wales and other states.

Three overseas tours have been undertaken in recent years. In 2002 they made their first visit to China as guests of the Chinese Peoples Association for friendship with Foreign Countries. Beginning at Blacktown’s sister city Liaocheng, the tour continued to Beijing as guests of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology who had recently celebrated the launch of the “Shenzhou” spaceship.

The second tour of China was in 2007 at the invitation of the Shanghai Tourism Festival. Highlights were a 4 km march which featured several stops along the route for a ‘Marching Demonstration”

The tour continued with visits to many country cities, highlighted when the band discovered that fireworks were readily available the result of which was a spectacular display at the front of the hotel.

The latest overseas trip was to Hungary in 2013. Centred around Budapest, the two week tour included eight performances and visits to Slovakia, (Bratislava) and Austria, (Vienna.)  The tour included a joint concert with the Dorog Concert Band and a visit to the Schonbrunn Castle.

Other notable appearances by the band include on stage performances at the Parramatta Riverside Theatre in the Crescendo series and two appearances in feature films. ‘Jessica’ featured on ABC television where the band opened part two dressed as a first world war Army band and Oscar & Lucinda a general release film of Australia’s early settlement.
T.V Advertising for Lowes and several other spots on television sports features have also added to the varied experiences of the band and the enjoyment of the members.

The band features often in the city attractions such as the Blacktown Festival and every year in the ANZAC celebrations.

In future years the band’s engagement book seems as full as ever and new members are always welcome.

In 2015 following the demolition of the Richmond Road Hall, larger and more modern storage and rehearsal facilities were built in Heffron Road, Lalor Park an eastern suburb of Blacktown.

The band now has three rehearsal evenings, Monday the beginners from 5.30 to 7 pm, Tuesday the full senior band from 7 to 9,30 pm and on Thursday, quartets and smaller ensembles at times arranged.”