News
WA Bandsperson of the Year
WABA is pleased to announce the establishment of the 'Allan Conroy Memorial, WA Bandsperson of the Year Award'.
The inaugural award was presented at the State Championships, to Mr John Piper of the Busselton Shire Brass Band. This year, John achieved 60 years continuous service with the Busselton Band.
JOHN PIPER
John Piper joined the Busselton Brass Band in early 1950 when he was 12 years old. The band had many older members and numbers were falling, so they advertised for young boys who would like to play a musical instrument to come along, offering lessons and a free instrument. John joined then with two other boys, but was the only one who stayed on with the Band. He had previously learnt piano but his teacher called his mother in and said to her “you are wasting your money and my time, he is NOT a musician”. Perhaps not on the piano but he certainly found his forte with wind instruments. He began playing on tenor horn, and played several other instruments, and has been solo cornet with the Band for many years.
The Band had a break from rehearsing for about 12 months in the late 1960s, but John and several other members continued playing whenever the band was requested to play around the town.
When the Band looked like folding altogether, John took over as conductor for about 8 years. He has also served on the committee, including holding the positions of secretary and treasurer at various times. He has taught many people to play and been responsible for recruiting many new members to the band. John is also the person everyone turns to if they are having trouble with an instrument – he is the “chief fix-it man”.
John was made a life member of the band in 1980 and the citation reads “in recognition of outstanding services rendered”. After 60 years of continuous service, John is still rendering outstanding services to the band as he continues to play with the Band on solo cornet, rarely missing a rehearsal, performance or competition.
Photograph: John is pictured here with his wife, Stephanie. Background is WABA President, Tony Schraven, and the Busselton Shire Brass Band.