Ipswich Model Band were formed early in January 1906 in the south-east Queensland city of that name.[2] The inaugural secretary, George Bizzell, and treasurer, R. Grainger organised the purchase of their early instruments with funds raised by members subscriptions.[2] One of the group's first performances was at the East Ipswich ground of the local rugby union team in June of that year.[3] By October the conductor was Samuel O. Booth and the band held socials to raise further funds.[4][5] In 1915 the conductor was J. W. Bergemeister.[6]
In May 1924 the conductor, Horace J. Harper,[6] celebrated the band's victories in a recent state competition, held at Toowoomba and run by the Queensland Band Association.[7] In April of the following year, at a similar competition, a reporter for The Brisbane Courier observed, "Ipswich Model Band opened well, but lost ground slightly ¡n the serenade. In the succeeding section a strongly marked rallentando was achieved, which made for a pleasing contrast when the livelier tempo was resumed."[8] Harper was conductor from 1920 to 1964.[6]
Performances by the band, in October 1939, were broadcast on national radio stations, 4QN (Townsville),[9]7NT (Launceston),[10] and 2FC (Sydney).[11] They performed the national anthem for the Australian Governor-General, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, in August 1945 during his visit to Ipswich.[12] Later they "played a specially selected programme. Items were: Marches, 'Invicta' and 'Contemptibles'; song marches, 'Waltzing Matilda', 'There'll Always Be an England', 'We Did It Before so We'll Do It Again' and 'Advance Australia Fair'; song, 'Cherie'."[12]
In October 1954 the band moved into their new headquarters, a hall, in East Ipswich.[4][13] They established a public appeal to fund the purchase.[4] In 1967 it was named, Harper Hall, in honour of their long-term former conductor.[14] As from February 2017 the band still performs, rehearses and meets in the hall.[14] Their repertoire consists of, "Australiana, film and television scores and themes from animated productions."[14]
^Worrall, Gary (23 February 2017). "Band hunts for talent". The Queensland Times; Ipswich, Qld. p. 2. Archived from the original on 12 October 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
^"Opening of the New Football Grounds". Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald And General Advertiser. Vol. XLVII, no. 7067. 2 June 1906. p. 4. Retrieved 11 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^ abc"Model Band Week to Aid Hall Fund". Queensland Times. Daily. No. 25, 138. 8 October 1954. p. 2. Retrieved 12 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Model Band Social". Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald And General Advertiser. Vol. XLVIII, no. 8044. 18 October 1906. p. 11. Retrieved 11 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"To-Day's Radio Programmes". The Examiner. Late News Edition and Daily. Vol. XCVIII, no. 172. Tasmania, Australia. 3 October 1939. p. 9. Retrieved 12 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"On the National Radio To-Night". The Sun. Late Final Extra. No. 9282. Sydney. 3 October 1939. p. 7. Retrieved 12 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Headquarters for Models". Queensland Times. Daily. No. 25, 142. 12 October 1954. p. 1. Retrieved 12 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia. Note: includes photo of the hall and another of the band performing.
