When one of our illustrious founding musical directors, Derek Humphrey, retired from conducting the band in 1994 and moved to Ocean Grove, Westgate Concert Band was quick to follow. Back in 1996, we were invited to Queenscliff to perform an afternoon of music, in what has now become an annual occurrence.

Our Queenscliff Concerts have typically embraced variety, allowing us to perform difficult symphonic works alongside light-hearted tunes and popular charts. Solo instruments have been frequently featured and guest conductors (Derek!) have taken to the podium. These performances have also given us the opportunity to showcase vocal talent from both within the band and from our guest singers, including our combined concert with the Geelong Harmony Chorus in 2000.

Our Queenscliff concerts were initially held around March, as our first concert of the year - perhaps because this was when the weather was most favourable for the BBQ that followed at the Humphrey residence! From 2005 to 2009 a donation from the day’s performances was also given to ‘Cottage by the Sea’, a children’s charity in Queenscliff. Our last March performance in Queenscliff was in 2009, thereafter shifting to an August performance schedule. Westgate Concert Band has always enjoyed our Queenscliff Concerts and are grateful to the appreciative audience that comes to listen.