‘We share our passion for music with our community, seek to improve our musicianship and challenge ourselves at contests with friends in the banding world.’

Northern Brass was formed in 2006, as a band to cater for up-and-coming younger brass players who could not commit to the demands of playing in an A Grade band.  In a short amount of time, they have developed a formidable contesting record, winning the D Grade Australian National Title in 2007 and the C Grade Australian National Title in 2009, 2014 & 2015.  Due to their sustained success, the band was invited to compete in the B Grade section at both the National and State level from late 2015.

As a new competitor at the B Grade level, Northern is proving to be a true contender in Victorian banding. In 2017, the band placed for the first time in B Grade at the Victorian State Championships and backed up this performance by winning B Grade at the La Trobe Valley Eisteddfod and finishing 2nd in A Grade. Northern Brass perform as part of the Moomba Street Parade and at concerts locally.

Musical Director

Martyn Scrimshaw started playing a brass instrument at the age of 7 in a Salvation Army junior band in Croydon in the UK.

When his parents emigrated to Australia he continued playing Tenor Horn and Eb Tuba with Salvation Army Bands in Box Hill and Morwell.

Martyn took on his first bandmaster’s role at Rochester.

In 1991 he was invited to audition as MD with the City of Traralgon Band a position he held for over 19 years.

In that time the band enjoyed contest success a promotion to B Grade and sell-out concerts with James Morrison and local artists.

In 2002 he moved to South Gippsland and took on the role of MD with South Gippsland Shire Brass Band.

This was an enjoyable experience with the band building its community profile with sell-out concerts and after 52 years enjoying their first contest success at the Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod.

In 2010 another major move happened with work and he enjoyed playing with the Eaglehawk Citizens Band in Bendigo.

In 2016 Martyn moved to Melbourne and for 8 years he led Diamond Valley Brass Band. Whilst the band did not enjoy contest success he took the band to a new level in the community performing with many recognised artists and the Australian Children’s Choir.

The band was innovative with the production of new arrangements to accompany artists, especially at the Banyule Carols.

Now Martyn is looking forward to working with Northern Brass to develop both a good contesting band as well as developing its community performance profile.