The Camden Community Band has recently added the tune ‘The Camden Train’ to its repertoire. The lyrics tell an interesting story about Pansy, the locomotive. It was written by Camden local Buddy Williams about the time of the last run on of the train in 1963. The tune has been released as part of a compilation called Musical Memories, A Compilation of Songs of Significance to Malcolm Pearson (now deceased). The train brings back many memories of family outings, business trips or excursions across the    picturesque countryside in the Camden area. Murray Bishop believes that the band is the only one Australia to have and use this composition. The song was provided by the residents of the Camden Downs Retirement Village, who have formed a singing group under the direction of band member Cheryl Zeimeicki (Intermediate Band leader). Dave Hardwick (a band member) provided a melody line and Cheryl arranged the piece for the band. It always goes down a treat when it is performed at local community events (fetes, markets).

 

Another interesting composition is linked with the band’s close affiliation with the Camden RSL sub Branch. The association brought to light an unusual and historic work called The British Eighth March, which was dedicated to the army of the same name. Exhaustive research located a copy of the arrangement which the band now proudly performs as part of its ANZAC repertoire. What is interesting about this chart is the note that accompanied the original manuscript to Field Marshal Montgomery was actually written on captured Italian notepaper!

 

 

Banding has been a long and glorious tradition in the Camden area, as it in lots of other towns and cities across Australia. The Camden Community Band Inc is not just a one off occurrence in our region, but rather the latest in a line of brass and concert bands reaching back to the 1890’s when Camden had its own Silver Brass Band. During the war years, Camden hosted many resident and visiting armed services personnel who  brought with them a variety of music including a local community brass band.

 

Our region has been served for many years by the wonderful Camden Campbelltown District Band which made the move from a Brass Band to a Concert Band format. It paved the way for many young musicians to learn a wide range of instruments. This band continues to serve the Macarthur region regularly. Our band, the Camden Community Band, now focuses on the Camden region for its performances and rehearsals, once again putting a community band into the centre of Camden.