Ben van den Akker Music
Historic Images
Much of my inspiration comes from the colonial era in Australia, and I hope to connect with our rich history through compositions and arrangements for drums, fifes and brass.
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Music in Australian communities during colonial times featured many town and volunteer bands with a strong military influence. They included brass bands, drum & fife and drum & bugle bands.
Band and solo competitions were already part of the annual calendar as they are today, with champions being the pride of the local community.
Drummers were often part of early local volunteer rifle companies to assist with drill practice.
Fifer, Ballarat VIC pre-1891
Bendigo Carters and Drivers Drum & Fife Band, VIC 1918
Charters Towers Cadet Band, QLD ca. 1890
Champion Drummer William Henry Turnham (far right), VIC 1860s
Longford School Fife Band, TAS 1914
Port Arthur Band, TAS 1875
Band at rest, Sunbury Encampment, VIC 1866
Drummer D. Pike (left) with Milang Volunteers, SA 1860
Geelong rifles (drum inside tent), VIC 1861
Troops with Drummer (far left), Melbourne VIC 1914
Troops departing Port Melbourne, VIC 22 December 1916