Mitcham City Brass is pleased to announce the appointment Steven Packer as its musical director.

Steven comes to us with a wealth of experience having served as a musician in the Australian and New Zealand Navy Bands for 19 years, and with exceptional success as a solo musician.

Steven joined the Royal Australian Navy as a musician in 1987 playing euphonium, bass trombone, saxophone and tuba. He toured with the Navy Band to Singapore, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Pakistan, Malaysia and New Zealand. He trained extensively in music studies during his time at the Defence Force School of Music earning himself a Bachelor in music. He rose the to the level of Petty Officer prior to leaving the Australian Navy in 1998.

Some of his highlights during this time were arranging music and playing for the Pope on his 1995 visit to Sydney, visiting Gallipoli on its 75th anniversary in 1990, participating the 1995 Adelaide Military Tattoo, and recording a CD with Don Burrows.

After leaving the Australian Navy Steven moved to Mildura where he was appointed the Musical Director of the Mildura District Brass Band. Under his baton the band rose from D grade to C grade. During this time he also taught music in many of the local schools.

In 2002 Steven decided to return to life on the ocean wave and joined the New Zealand Navy as a musician. He served until late 2009.

As a solo musician Steven has seen many successes winning Australian Champion on Bass Trombone in 1999, Australian Champion on Eb Bass (tuba) 1997, 2006 and 2007 and taking second place in the Eb Bass Australian championship in 1996 and 1998. He won Eb Bass, euphonium, baritone and bass trombone at the prestigious South Street competitions in Ballarat. Incredibly he won on all these separate instruments on the same day!.

Outside of music Steven’s interests are paddle steamers on the Murray River, fishing, lawn bowls, cricket and golf.

Steven has decided to return to Adelaide having been away from his extended family for the last 23 years. He is excited about his appointment as the Musical Director for Mitcham City Brass. He hopes that the band will increase its activity both within the Mitcham community and further abroad. He also plans to reinstate the Junior Band. Steven believes that Mitcham City Brass has amazing potential and is looking forward to the journey that lies ahead. 

If there is anyone in the community, young or old who would like to play with Mitcham City Brass or would like to learn a brass instrument, please contact our secretary Tamina via e-mail secretary@mitchamcitybrass.org .