In 1903 a group of musicians, founded and conducted by J. Hendry-Grice, met in a Fortitude Valley drapery store and formed the Valley Concert Band.
The Band underwent a name change to the Albert Street Church Band, but shortly afterwards became the Brisbane Municipal Concert Band.
In 1908 Ebenezer Jackson took over the BMCB and became its longest-serving conductor. "Ebby", as he was affectionately known, continued to conduct until just before his death in 1953.
Since then the BMCB has had a number of conductors, including H. Bukler (1953-71, 76-80), E.T Selby (173-75), S. Fawcett (1980-82, 1983), B.Warden (1982), T. O'Shea (1984), E. Karuas (1985), T. Shacklady (1985-88), M. Roth (1989), K. Stitt (1989-92), P. Burns (1991), J. Black (1992) and D. Jones (1992 - current).
The BMCB has always had a close affinity with the Armed Forces. In 1932 the Band played at its first Anzac Day Service at Graceville Memorial Park. Since then we have had the honour of continuing this tradition with the Sherwood Indooroopilly RSL sub-branch, and this year marked our 71st Anzac Day Service. The BMCB also welcomed the troops home during both World Wars, greeting soldiers at South Brisbane Station. On at least a couple of occasions it was well after midnight when the train pulled in, but the Band was always there.
In 2008 the band launched the Brisbane City Big Band. The Brisbane City Big Band is an 20 piece community jazz ensemble which will make its debut performance at a free concert at Mt Coot-tha Gardens stage in February 2008.
The BMCB continues to entertain the people of Brisbane. We hope that this tradition continues, and that the next 100 years will be just as exciting and memorable.