The Derwent Valley Concert Band Inc, has been in existence since 1993 and based in the beautiful town of New Norfolk, 30kms from Hobart and nestling on the banks of the Derwent River. The Band was established because of a perceived need for a local band to cater for musicians of all ages in the New Norfolk community and the wider Derwent Valley. Since the inaugural concert in October 1993, at New Norfolk, the Derwent Valley Concert Band has grown into a very active and versatile community band and at present has over fifty regular players whose ages range from fifteen to over seventy! The Derwent Valley Concert Band now consists of the Senior Band, Development Band, Stage Band and Marching Band with rehearsals held each Wednesday at the band rooms in New Norfolk in a friendly and congenial atmosphere. The DVCB has an extensive repertoire suitable for a wide range of occasions and scored for a range of smaller ensembles as well as the full band. The band performs regularly at a wide range of celebrations and ceremonies in the local and surrounding communities, such as: Australia Day celebrations, Government House Open Day, Kempton Festival, Derwent Valley Festival, Taste of Ogilvie, Anzac Day March and Service, Hobart Christmas Pageant, Derwent Valley Carols by Candlelight. The DVCB also performs major public concerts each year in both Hobart and New Norfolk often being joined by other bands from the Hobart area. The band presents, on average, more than twenty performances each year which include competing in the State Band Championships. The Derwent Valley Concert Band has been fortunate in being invited to travel overseas on numerous occasions.

• 1994 Japan, at the invitation of the Japanese Government in the Mie Prefecture to perform at the World Expo in the city of Ise.
• 1997 Canada – performing at the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede as part of an extensive concert tour of Alberta.
• 1999 China – to perform as a guest band at the China International Band/Fashion Festival in Dalian. The band also gave performances in Beijing which included a performance at the Australian Embassy to mark the 12 month countdown to the Sydney Olympic Games.
• 2001 Europe – following several hectic days being hosted by Postmusik (whom DVCB met in China in 1999) the band performed at the Mid Europe Music Education Conference in Schladming, Austria, before travelling to Potsdam in Germany to participate in the World Marching Show Band Championships, gaining tenth place overall. The band then traveled to Sweden to take part in the Eksjo Tattoo giving concert performances and marching displays then travelling to Vordingborg in Denmark before returning home.
• 2004 Denmark – In January the band was invited to travel to Denmark to take part in the celebrations for the Royal Wedding of Crown Prince Frederik and CROWN PRINCESS MARY – FORMERLY MARY DONALSON – BORN IN HOBART, TASMANIA. A period of intensive fundraising and rehearsals, leading up to the Royal Wedding in May, ensured the trip was an unforgettable experience highlighted by a performance for visiting European Royals at the SAS Radison Hotel, the Street March on the day of the Royal Wedding and performances at Tivoli Gardens, Roskilde, the Town Square and Sankte Helene.
• 2006 China – to participate in the inaugural International Youth Band Festival in Beijing in July. The band received high praise for it’s marching display in Wangfujing Street March and was very well received at the festival performances at the Conservatorium of Music. The band also performed at World Park and was invited to perform at the festival closing ceremony. The hospitality of our Chinese hosts was quite overwhelming.

In addition to the numerous overseas trips, highlights of the band’s history include:-

• 1997 Olympic March in Hobart
• 2001 A combined performance with the Tasmanian Chorale to perform an Australian premiere of Fryges Hidas’ Requiem, conducted by the eminent Hungarian conductor, Piroska Varga.
• 2003 Hosting Postmusik band from Austria, who had hosted DVCB in Austria in 2001 and performing as a guest band at the Australian Marching Championships. Named as the Derwent Valley Icon for the ensuing three years
• 2004 Travelled to Denmark to perform during the wedding celebrations for Crown Prince Frederik and Mary Donaldson of Tasmania.
• 2006 Attended the Beijing International Youth Band Musical Festival as part of the Olympic Celebrations.
• 2007 August – The DV Development Band commenced rehearsals. September – A fifteen year licence secured on the Council owned Memorial Hall, Circle Street, New Norfolk, as a permanent long-term base for the band. The hall provides both a rehearsal and performance venue for the band and planned development by the DVCB will result in a Performing Arts Centre for the Derwent Valley community.
• 2008 DVCB travels to Europe for a month, to take part in a number of festivals and competitions and to qualify for the World Marching Show Band Championships. Although unsuccessful in qualifying, the band one numerous awards at the Rastede Days of Music festival in Rastede, Germany. Including best Conductor and Best Drum Major.
• 2009, the Band’s performance  schedule centred mainly on local and surrounding community celebrations and ceremonies and concerts in Hobart and New Norfolk. The band also competed in and was awarded again the Open B Grade Concert Band Championship at the Tasmanian Band’s League State Championships. Some significant changes occurred in personnel during 2009, in particular the founding Music Director/Conductor , Layton Hodgetts OAM; choosing to step down from the position after sixteen years- a decision he felt compelled to make because of his escalating absences interstate and overseas on global band related matters. Hodgetts remains Music Director and continues to be closely linked to the artistic leadership team of the DVCB.  David Schmidt – formerly Assistant Conductor and Drum Major of the DVCB was appointed as Chief Conductor, with Lyall McDermott appointed as  Assistant Conductor.
• 2010, the Band has again been engaged in a rigorous local calendar of events.  Along with all bands in Tasmania, DVCB involved themselves in the hosting of the YAMAHA - National Band Championships in Hobart at Eastertime , of which Music Director, ;Layton Hodgetts was Chairman and Convenor of the event which attracted in the vicinity of 5000 musicians to Hobart from throughout Australia and South East Asia. The DVCB assisted with the hosting of the Senior Wind Symphony who was a Guest Band at the Nationals’ from Mahidol University in Thailand.

  Other highlights have been when the Band defended again – very convincingly- it’s title of Open “B” Grade Champion Concert Band at  the Tasmanian Band’s League State Championhips in October.

  2010 saw the completion of the up-grade to the New Norfolk  Memorial Hall – which is now on lease to the Band for fifteen years, serving as DVCB Bandrooms/headquarters. The major improvements were made possible by the $171,000,00 Grant received from the Tasmanian State Government. The facility is now being used as a rehearsal venue, recording studio and concert venue with seating for over 200 patrons.

  Regrettably, because of unforeseen circumstances, changes requiring further adjustments in the artistic leadership structure of the Band  occurred when David Schmidt found it necessary  to step down from the position of Chief Conductor during this year. The appointments  have duly followed of Lyall McDermott as Chief Conductor, Jim Taylor as Assistant Conductor and Fred Woods as Conductor of the Development Band program.

  The Music Director , Layton Hodgetts is in dialogue with prospective hosts in Europe for possibly another overseas Band Concert Tour in 2012.