From the Director’s Desk

RAN BAND NEWS EDITION NUMBER 6 4 JULY 2005

ON PARADE DURING REHEARSALS AT THE EDINBURGH TATTOO (SYDNEY) FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

As I look back at our achievements over the last three years, it is clear to me the immense contribution that the Navy Band makes to wider Navy family and civilian community. The articles in the previous five editions of RAN Band News certainly tell a good story about what we have done and where we have been; and the articles in this edition continue that story. In this edition, the stories from our people embarked in HMAS Anzac are a fantastic read, and give a very clear account of the exciting opportunities that they have embraced and of the contribution that they have made. The commitment given by the Navy Band to Fleet units over the last three years has been very significant, with exceedingly positive feedback from our people, the various Commanding Officers and ships companies. Personally, I am very satisfied by the achievements of our Anzac detachment. This edition also tells a story of the missions undertaken by each of our detachments over the last financial year. Importantly, we have extended our marketing reach into regional Australia, and the total audience numbers are, by any measure, very impressive. Over the last six months we have continued with our benchmark activities: these are a series of tasks that have been resourced to a level that ensures Nation best outcomes. The recent Flagship Recital and the recording session with ABC Classic FM of Symphony No. 1 by Philip Sparke, Symphony in B Flat for Band by Paul Hindemith, and the Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Orchestra by Ingolf Dahl were fulfilled to Nation best standards, as was our contribution to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. These benchmark activities also brought together our people from across the whole organisation and truly reflected the talents and capabilities of the Navy Band.