Whitehorse Brass forms an important part of the Box Hill City Band family of bands, with its roots closely tied to the organisation’s long-standing commitment to music education and community participation. The origins of Whitehorse Brass can be traced to 1995, when educator and conductor Alwaynne Strenz established the Box Hill City Band’s junior program. This program began with a single ensemble known as Whitehorse Brass and grew steadily over time, providing a supportive pathway for developing brass and percussion players and nurturing generations of musicians who would go on to perform with senior community and contesting bands across Victoria.
In 2015, Whitehorse Brass was re-formed in its current guise as an intermediate community brass band within Box Hill City Bands Inc. Designed to bridge the gap between beginner training ensembles and the senior Box Hill City Band, Whitehorse Brass welcomes a diverse mix of younger musicians and adults returning to playing. Today, the band continues to embody its founding spirit: offering high-quality ensemble experiences in a friendly, inclusive environment while playing an active role in the musical life of the City of Whitehorse.
Musical Director
Broden Ford
Broden Ford is a conductor, educator, percussionist and adjudicator Melbourne, Victoria. He is heavily involved in community music and has established himself as one of Australia’s most reputable brass band conductors. Broden is currently the musical director of Whitehorse Brass, having previously conducted the City of Traralgon Band, Glenferrie Brass and the Darebin City Brass – Preston Band. He holds a successful conducting record that includes two Victorian D Grade State Championships, three Victorian C Grade State Championships, two Victorian A Grade State Championships and a 3rd place in A Grade at the Australian National Band Championships. In 2024, Broden led Whitehorse Brass to the Australian National C Grade Championship.
Broden held positions as principal percussionist at Kew Band Melbourne, Box Hill City Band, National Australia Brass, Victoria Brass and Prestige Brass. He regularly performs across Australia and overseas as a guest percussionist, including North Shore Brass (NZ) and the Desford Colliery Band (UK). He was also the head percussion tutor with the National Australia Brass Youth Band and is the current percussion tutor with Box Hill Academy Brass. He was the percussion adjudicator at the 2016 Australian National Band Championships and was also the chief band & solo adjudicator at the 2017 Tasmanian State Band Championships, the 2018 Gunnedah Eisteddfod and the 2021 Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod. In 2019, he completed the Maestros with a Mission adjudication intensive.
Broden is currently employed by Wesley College, Glen Waverley Campus, as the Head of Percussion, percussion teacher, classroom music teacher, ensemble tutor and Symphonic Band conductor. He has also maintained a connection with Melbourne Youth Orchestras, regularly working as a percussion tutor or conductor in their Ensemble Program, Summer School and Winter School events.
