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Hello
Welcome to Skunkworks Community Limited!
Skunkworks Community acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and perform.
Based on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, we pay our respects to Elders past and present. We honour the enduring connection of First Nations peoples to land, culture and community.
VSYBB - Davey Band
Davey Band
A new ensemble, the VSYBB- 'Davey Band', has been launched to honour the legacy of Janice Valma Davey OAM, while addressing a growing need for accessible, high-quality music pathways for young brass and percussion players across Victoria.
Named after one of Australia’s most influential figures in the brass band movement, the Davey Band continues her legacy of breaking barriers and creating opportunity—particularly for those who have historically had limited access to elite music experiences.
Alan, a member of the Davey family shared:
"Our family and I are thrilled beyond belief that mum is being recognised in such a manner. She put so much into ensuring the future of not only women in banding, but in banding itself. To see her legacy cement the future of banding in Victoria and nationally makes us feel very honoured.”
Open to brass and percussion players with a minimum of two years’ experience (AMEB Grade 2–5 level), the ensemble is conducted by Phillipa Edwards OAM and operates as a development and pathway ensemble into the Victorian State Youth Brass Band.
Importantly, the initiative places a strong focus on regional engagement, ensuring that young musicians from across Victoria are given the same opportunities for growth, mentorship, and performance as their metropolitan peers.
“This is not just about creating another band,” espoused the Skunkworks team.
“It’s about making sure opportunity is not defined by geography or economic circumstances—and that Janice Davey’s legacy continues to open doors for the next generation.”
The Davey Band will rehearse and perform throughout 2026, with its first intake now open.
And, for this rehearsal only, we will be joined by the 'Breathing Gym's' very own, Patrick Sheridan, courtesy of Jupiter, Xo and Fine Music.
Smith’s@Belco: Archer and The Open Sky Big Brass Band
Smith’s@Belco: Archer and The Open Sky Big Brass Band 7:00pm Saturday 4 July 2026 The Theatre, Belco
Smith’s@Belco: Archer and The Open Sky Big Brass Band 7:00pm Saturday 4 July 2026 The Theatre, Belco
Smith’s@Belco: Archer and The Open Sky Big Brass Band 7:00pm Saturday 4 July 2026 The Theatre, Belco
Archer has performed as a captivating solo artist for nigh on two decades, entertaining anywhere and everywhere, from Aged Care tours across the Nullarbor to recently touring USA, Canada and Europe.
Now Archer brings us an exciting new project: Love Songs From The Divine Church Of the Open Sky, featuring the 28-piece Open Sky Big Brass Band.
This is Archer like you have never heard before, presenting old and new songs with arrangements by renowned composer Eugene Ball.
They will take you on a sonic journey to the very edge of the world, into the deepest, darkest portals of your soul, and bursting out upon the glorious golden symphony of the Divine Church of the Open Sky.
Canberra Brass - MD Veronica Boulton
Smith’s@Belco: Archer and The Open Sky Big Brass Band 7:00pm Saturday 4 July 2026 The Theatre, Belco
Smith’s@Belco: Archer and The Open Sky Big Brass Band 7:00pm Saturday 4 July 2026 The Theatre, Belco
Canberra Brass Incorporated is a non-profit organisation which commits to fostering the spirit of brass in the Canberra community and surrounds.
The organisation contains a number of brass bands including Canberra Brass and Victoria Street Brass, which are made up from amateur musicians from all walks of life - all of whom are drawn to the band through their love of excellent brass music. Canberra Brass also features a training band, Newbery Brass, open to all beginner and established brass and percussion players of all ages, as well as the Canberra Youth Brass Ensemble, a high-quality brass ensemble to foster confidence and excellence in young brass players from the ACT and surrounds. Additionally, our Percussion Academy is ready to help developing percussionists of all ages.
These ensembles are available for community and private event performances, and play a wide range of music from many different styles and eras.
Upcoming events
Skunkworks Community Limited is a Not For Profit performing arts organisation that is committed to providing opportunities for community bands, orchestras and aspiring musicians to improve their skills through development projects, show productions and collaborations with established professional artists.
BRIGHT BRASS AND PERCUSSION SUMMER INTENSIVE
Join us for the Skunkworks Community Summer Camp, January 10–17 2027 at the beautiful Bright Chalet in Bright! Led by Chief Conductor David Bremner of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, alongside tutors from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, NSW Police Band, Griffith University, and the Skunkworks team.
Youth Project Victoria
The Skunkworks Youth Project Victoria initiative is a wide-ranging initiative to engage and develop young musicians in multiple facets of music making and artistic development through development and performance opportunities including:
- Music Camps
- Regional workshops
- Master Classes with world class musicians
- Performance opportunities with professional artists
- Victorian State Youth Brass Band (VSYBB)
Skunkworks is developing collaborative partnerships with youth bands across the state in both the Melbourne metropolitan area and regional Victoria to carry out these initiatives.
Our People
Our directors and volunteers comprise professional musicians and educators as well business and project management professionals. We have on staff a number of creative and artistic personnel which enables us to provide the full range of skills required to carry out our mission of enhancing the cultural lives and well-being of individuals and our communities.
Help Our mission
Your support and contributions will enable us to provide more development programs for young musicians and to support the community performing arts sector. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
