John Allen OAM
Jill Allen often says she married a band, rather than a bloke.
Such is the dedication of the Redland City Concert Band conductor John Allen.
It is appropriate therefore that on being granted an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours, John, 72, of Birkdale, attributed half the medal to Jill for her support, encouragement and enthusiasm.
John said he was elated and grateful to receive the medal which recognises his work with bands spanning almost 30 years.
John took on his role as conductor locally in 2001, leaving the Lismore City Concert Band which he had conducted from 1979 to 1996 and the South Lismore Primary School band from 1988 to 1996.
For John this outlet has been a way of sharing and enjoying music that he loves.
"I admit that I get the band to play my favourites in the hope that this is music they will like. Im a bit self-centred that way. If there is stuff I don't like, it eventually makes its way out of the folders", John quips.
John said conducting a concert band was a way of covering music from all genres.
If you play in a jazz band, you play jazz. It's the same with Dixieland or orchestral music. Concert bands have a repertoire that includes everything, he said.
He said he also enjoyed weekly meets with people who were really nice and like minded.
It's more than just the music. There is a social side to this and I have made some wonderful friendships. It's nice to fraternise with people you share a common interest with, he said.
John is an accomplished cornet player and a former member of the Yellow Cabs Bayside Brass.
He was a lecturer in music at the Southern Cross University, Lismore for 18 years. He has two children and two grandchildren.
From 1979-1989, he presented a weekly program of concert and brass band music on Lismore radio and has been an adjudicator at various band> competitions and regional eisteddfods (1979-2005).
Awards include services to creative arts in Lismore, Lismore Citizen of the Year 1992 and torchbearer for the 2000 Olympic Torch relay.
Article reprinted courtesy of Bayside Bulletin
Comments
A good write-up. I remember John Allen from years ago in Tasmania when
he tutored me on trombone. Readers may also be interested to know that
at about this time this same gentleman took out the Top Conductor Award
at the prestigious Ballarat Brass Band Championships. It's good to know
we have someone of this calibre contributing in the Redlands District.
Carlos Rowberry.
Posted by *Carlos* on 12/06/2008 6:23:02 PM.
An award well deserved! I met John when I took my band, Port Macquarie
Hastings, to Lismore to share concerts with John's band. It was a great
time. Later I became associated with the Redlands Concert Band
organization. Shortly after I left RSCB in 1995, I was thrilled to hear
that John had joined with them as conductor. I'm sorry to have missed
working with him! Congratulations John. Shirley Goodbar
Posted by *Shirley Goodbar* on 13/06/2008 11:00:34 AM.
A great Australia Day award for a great Australian, I knew John when he
was the conductor for Lismore City Concert Band and South Lismore
Primary School Band and know how much he put into both bands and what he
gave musically to so many young children. John also received the Citizen
of the Year Award for his work during his time with the Lismore City
Concert Band Congratulations!
Posted by *Fay Ross* on 29/06/2008 9:53:46 PM