Namadgi Redbacks
The Karabar High School Marching Band (known as The Karabar Redbacks) was formed in 1991. Wearing school uniform, playing borrowed instruments, with less than twenty members and loving it!
In just two years, and with a lot of encouragement, a huge campaign of fundraising and promotion, the band was fitted out with instruments, uniforms and had grown in size to 80.
Over the years the band has performed in Queanbeyan and Canberra. The first performances were at Anzac Day and the Highland Gathering in 1991. Since then they have performed in Queanbeyan and Canberra Festivals, numerous sporting events such as Canberra Raiders, Queanbeyan Tigers and North Melbourne matches, local netball march pasts, Masters Games, polo cross and many school and community events such as Floriade, the Uniting Church Fete, the Burra Fair and the Canberra Show.
The band has also taken great pride in representing Karabar High School and the city of Queanbeyan throughout Australia and overseas. It has taken part in the Mattara Festival in Newcastle, and has performed in Brisbane, at the Royal Easter Show, Darling Harbour, at Southern Showcase in Wollongong, School's Spectacular, Musswellbrook Spring Fair and the Eden Whale Festival to name a few.
Proudly the band was the ACT Hub for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Band performing in the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Games in the Band Show and for the Parade of Athletes.
The Band has toured overseas on six occasions, to Canada in 1995 and 2004, the USA in 1998, 2002, 2006/7 and again in 2008/9.
In 2004 band members were extremely proud and excited and honored to have been invited to visit Canada and to take part in the Calgary Stampede and Exhibition. The Calgary Stampede is billed as the greatest outdoor show on earth and is famous for its western theme. The Stampede attracts bands and entertainers from all over the world.
Band members had the opportunity to mix with the finest marching bands from around the world. 300 000 people lined the streets of Calgary to watch the televised parade and crowds gather in Olympic Park at the Saddledome and in Stampede Breakfasts to see the bands perform.
Students experienced indigenous culture, walked on a glacier, climbed to the top of Sulphur Mountain in Banff, had lunch and the famous chateau on Lake Louise and saw the Rocky Mountains and the wildlife they host. They stayed with three host families in Calgary, Red Deer and High River visiting schools and becoming part of a Canadian family.
In January 2007 band members traveled to the USA to participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasedena on January 1. They joined with two other Australian Bands for this event and made a great impression. The tour also included performances and sightseeing in Los Angeles, Anaheim, Dan Diego, the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Las Vegas, Yosemite and San Fransisco.
In January 2009 the band undertook an amazing performance and workshop tour to Orlando Florida, Washington DC and New York.
The band practises at Karabar High School on Wednesday evenings from 6.00 - 8.00. The Band Director is Alison Cronan, Colourguard Director is Beth Rosser and Drum Major is Year 10 Student, Liam Ashton.
For more information contact: Alison Cronan at Karabar High School on 62984333 or 0416 294155