Founded in 1962, the Croydon Brass Band is a traditional English brass band. It is affiliated with the Victorian Bands’ League and regularly performs in the local municipality playing at a variety of functions, including ANZAC Day services, concerts and ceremonies.
The band performs at indoor and outdoor formal concerts, such as Croydon Main Street, Chirnside Park Shopping Centre, Maroondah Festival, and the Lilydale Show. They have previously travelled to Geelong to take part in the Highland Games, Echuca to take part in the Victorian Steam Rally with the Echuca Federal Band.
The band has also participated in many competitions, including:
- The Bendigo Eisteddfod competitions from 2004 to 2015;
- The VBL State Band Championships from 2013 to 2017; and
- The National Band Championships in 2007 and 2012 in Victoria, 2017 in Launceston, Tasmania and in 2018 again in Victoria, winning the open D-Grade contest at the VBL State Championships in 2014, the open D-Grade contest at the Yamaha National Band Championships in 2017 and coming a close second in 2018.
The band has also been a marching group formerly under the direction of Drum Majors Ian Douglas and Katy Heath.
The band rehearses at Brushy Creek Hall, 435 Maroondah Hwy Croydon North, on most Monday evenings between 8 pm and 10 pm.
For information about activities of the Brass Band, membership or hire please contact the Musical Director, Melina Benger via mobile 0402 052 205 or email
Melina Benger was appointed Musical Director of the Croydon Brass Band in August 2002. She has been involved with Brass Bands for all of her life and first joined as a player with the Wonthaggi Citizens’ Band at the age of 10.
Since then she has been involved with bands such as Heidelberg, Moreland-Brunswick, Caulfield and the Echuca Federal Band. Melina has held various positions in these bands ranging from player and committee member through to President, teacher and conductor. She has also spent time teaching music at both primary and secondary schools.
Melina’s family shares a long history with the band. Melina’s father, Doug Morison, was one of the original members of the Croydon Brass Band which formed in 1962. Her mother joined the band a little later, and hence, this was where her parents met. Her uncle was also involved with the band many years ago and her sister is now a playing member.
Melina would like to take this opportunity to invite anyone and everyone to come and visit or to join the band. Everyone is warmly welcomed and we are happy to see beginners through to experts, regardless of age, or anyone that currently plays other instruments that would like to learn brass or people that don’t know music at all – we can teach you!
Melina’s philosophy as musical director is:
“Together, we will make good music by having a good time!”