St John Ambulance Concert Band

The Brisbane Citizens Concert Band, now performing as the St John Ambulance Concert Band, is one of Brisbane’s oldest bands, having been formed in 1919 by its first conductor, Albert Kaeser. Mr Kaeser owned a music store in George Street, and he conducted the band for almost 50 years.

The current conductor, Major Ivan Cocking, has a wide range of experience, including conducting the 2nd Military District Band, Sydney.

The band is a community band, consisting of approximately 30 members, with a wide range of ages and diverse backgrounds. Musical repertoire played includes popular, classical and jazz arrangements, marches, TV and movie themes, and arrangements from opera and musicals.

The band plays at the St John Ambulance Inspection day and Church service at Government House, and at the Saluting Base in King George Square for Anzac day, as well as participating in Brisbane City Council’s programme of free concerts in the city’s parks on Sunday afternoons.