‘Discovering the joy in community, music and friendships through learning a music instrument and playing in a supportive community setting’

Darebin City Brass is also famous for nurturing young talent.  Our Youth Training Band is nicknamed “Jack’s Juniors”, after local Darebin legend, Jack Kelly OAM, who coordinated the Youth Group for many years.  Darebin City Brass provides quality, affordable music tuition within a group setting. Learning to play a brass instrument is a great life skill and your child will form many lifelong friendships!

The Youth group performs regularly for the local community, including performances at primary schools, services for Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, the Darebin Music Feast and Carols at Odyssey House.

Contact Us if you are interested in joining our Youth Training Band. 

Musical Director

John Conway has played BBb Tuba for all of his music playing career. John began playing at the age of 13 at Parade College Bundoora, and was soon invited to play in Coburg City Band where he remained an active member until age 17. He was then invited to join Hawthorn City Band, one of the best A grade brass bands in Australia at the time. During his 20 years at Hawthorn, John was privileged to lead the tuba section in 11 winning A grade Australian National Brass Band Championship titles. John also toured Scotland competing in the Edinburgh Music Festival with Preston Band.

After taking a break from the band world due to family commitments, John joined Kew Band where he was part of several winning Victorian State Band Championships as well as one more Australian National Brass Band Championship. John is one of only 2 players in Australia who have played in 12 winning Australian National Brass Band Championship titles. During his time at Kew, John was invited to play with Northshore Brass, New Zealand in their National Championship contest and also toured Tonga with Box Hill Band.

John has retired from the Education Department of Victoria where he was a Secondary School Principal for over 20 years. He remained active during all of this time conducting school bands and was Musical Director for annual school musicals for 16 years, conducting and arranging music for the school pit orchestras.

John Has been a member of Darebin City Brass for the past 6 years playing with both Preston and Northern Bands during this time. John is currently Musical Director of the Darebin City Brass Youth Band.