PRESENTATION OF THE TBL BADGE OF HONOUR

                                   

At the Delegates Meeting in February, Dean Hunt, Musical Director of Glenorchy City Concert Brass was awarded the Tasmanian Bands League Badge of Honour for his services to banding in Tasmania. The photograph shows Dean being presented with his badge by David Peters, President of the TBL.Below is the submission made on his behalf

SUBMISSION

Dean has displayed a dedication to excellence in brass music that has seen the Glenorchy City Concert Brass elevated to A grade status in 1996 when it became Tasmania's first A Grade Brass Band. This grade is at an exceptionally high standard. Brass Bands achieving this status typically are drawing on professional players and larger city based populations. Some had thought it impossible for Tasmania to have a band at A Grade level, let alone to maintain that level for ten years. There are less than twenty regularly competing A Grade Brass Bands in Australia, and most are based in the larger capitals.

A little of Dean's background


As a lad in his home town Smithton he would insist his father take him to the footy ground where the Circular Head Brass Band would be doing marching practice on Sunday mornings.This interest in brass bands was perhaps a hint to as to what he would go on to achieve in music later. In 1969 at the age of ten Dean got his chance to learn to play himself at St Brendan's College in Devonport. One of his teachers, Brother Shacklock was determined to have a school band and managed to obtain some old instruments from the then Devonport Municipal Band and the Latrobe Federal Band . Dean joined the Devonport band in 1971 which was his first involvement in a band that was affiliated with the Tasmanian Band's League. Dean went on to be principal cornet of the Devonport band, and also played with Ulverstone and Latrobe bands on many occasions. Dean's education took him to Hobart to attend University and the Conservatorium of Music in 1974. Dean played with the Hobart City Band and the Australian Army Band from that time through to 1979. Most of this time the band was under the direction of Gordon Sheedy. In this era, the Hobart City Band was the premier band in Tasmania regularly winning B Grade in State Championships. Dean joined the RSM Band in Hobart in 1979 under the direction of Arthur Edwards. RSM through a couple of name changes became the Glenorchy City Concert Brass in 1983. Dean Hunt was appointed as Musical Director of the Glenorchy City Concert Brass in 1989 and is currently in that role. After a successful career with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Dean chose to teach music fulltime, firstly with the private school sector and for the last ten years with the State Education Department.
Dean's commitment to brass bands and the community encompass the following areas:

Musical Excellence

Below are some of the results achieved in State and National competition as conductor of Glenorchy. There are many more achievements with other grade and junior bands. Dean is an accomplished cornet player and won numerous medals and the Alf Buck memorial trophy at the Devonport Eisteddfod in 1995 for the most outstanding performance. Promoted to A Grade 1996 until current therefore A grade State Champions 1996 to 2006 inclusive.
Best results in "A" Grade National Band Championships:

Community Music

There are many times in the community where a high standard band is required to support significant community events. These include various ceremonial and community events. Dean has prepared the GCCB to perform at events including Australia Day ceremonies, ANZAC Day, and Carols by Candlelight and numerous concerts.

Youth Development

Glenorchy City Concert Brass has always had an active and successful youth development program under the direction of Dean Hunt. Over the years this has included various learner groups and a junior brass band group. It varies from year to year but in 2006 forty three students took advantage of this program, This requires Dean to teach students from raw beginners through to competent young musicians. It requires hours of individual lessons, learner class and conducting a youth band. Dean encourages and trains many in these groups to participate in solo, ensemble and band competitions around the state

Tasmanian Bands League

Dean has been an active delegate to the Tasmanian Bands League since his appointment as Musical Director of Glenorchy City Concert Brass. Amongst his contribution he has been a member of the League's Musical Advisory Board which selects music appropriate to state and locally run national competitions for all bands and solo events. He has taken on the role of Chairman of the Board and provided strong leadership for several years, including choosing the test music for the 2004 Nationals. Under Dean's leadership the Glenorchy City Concert Brass members have been encouraged and coached to participate in all TBL or TBL associated events such as State Band Championships, Solo and ensemble competitions, music camps, State bands etc.. In 1996 the TBL wanted to form a state wide representative brass band to celebrate fifty years of operation. Dean was a driving force putting together the State Band program which has run five times since. This has afforded an opportunity for Tasmania's players to gain experience playing in an A grade level band, and just as importantly, developing the friendship and sense of community in the Tasmanian band scene.

In Conclusion

Many of the achievements above had other dedicated and talented people make significant contributions. However Dean's leadership, commitment and skill, and the particular Dean way, has made a significant contribution to banding in Tasmania and the rest of Australia.