RAN Band Queensland
RAN Band Queensland plays during the Navy Indigenous Development Program graduation in Cairns, Queensland, 2021.
Royal Australian Navy Band Queensland is based at HMAS Moreton in Bulimba, Brisbane, Queensland. The band consists of 25 part-time Musicians and two full-time Musicians under the direction of Bandmaster Chief Petty Officer Musician Simon Potter.
RAN Band Queensland provides ceremonial support to HMAS Moreton and to Navy throughout the Sunshine State. Ceremonial support often takes the form of a military marching band but can also take the form of vocal and bugle support to anthem/Last Post ceremonies, as well as drum corps support. HMA Ship visits to Brisbane, such as that of HMAS Brisbane, see the Band supporting Freedom of Entry parades, Ceremonial Sunsets, official functions and ship open days.
The Band is most well-known throughout the state for entertaining audiences with its contemporary 22 piece Big Band, and capabilities extend to include an energetic 10 piece Cover Band, a high quality Jazz Ensemble and a vibrant Brass Quintet.
RAN Band Queensland proudly supports Defence Member and Family Support (formerly Defence Community Organisation - DCO) and Queensland’s not-for-profit sector, performing regularly at charity fundraising events such as the Legacy Defence Charity Ball, as well as a broad selection of community events. Throughout the year the Band can be seen within Queensland supporting events such as the Australia Day citizenship ceremony, Anzac Day Dawn Services and parades, as well as a variety of Defence and public memorial services.
The Reserve Musicians that form the RAN Band Queensland come from a diverse range of full-time occupations including scientists, public servants, medical professionals, teachers, full time students and professional musicians.
Members of RAN Band Queensland regularly support the Permanent Navy Force of the RAN Band, engaging in full-time contracts to support capability where required. This has seen Queensland musicians working both domestically and as part of deployments at sea, including IPE and RIMPAC, as well as international deployments and representation in the Middle East, Gallipoli, South Pacific and New Zealand to name a few.
To keep up to date with RAN Band Queensland, like and follow the RAN Band Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RoyalAustralianNavyBand.
Bandmaster, RAN Band Queensland, Chief Petty Officer Musician Simon Potter, RAN.
Bandmaster, Chief Petty Officer Musician Simon Potter
Chief Petty Officer Simon Potter was born in Launceston, Tasmania. He enlisted into the Royal Australian Navy in February 1998 after completing a Diploma of Teaching and working as a Musical Instrument Technician. On completion of Initial Training Simon was posted to the Royal Australian Navy Band Melbourne as a Musician. Simon was promoted to the rank of Leading Seaman in 2001 and subsequently posted to RAN Band Sydney in 2006 on promotion to Petty Officer.
During his time at RAN Bands Melbourne and Sydney, Simon travelled with HMAS Torrens prior to decommissioning, HMAS Manoora to support RIMPAC, and to Crete as a bugler to support the Federation Guard’s commemorative duties for the Battle of Crete.
In 2007 Simon was posted to the Defence Force School of Music as an Instructor and returned to RAN Band Melbourne in 2009 where he deployed to Operation SLIPPER in 2011 and, on return, completed the Assistant Band Leaders’ course. Simon posted to RAN Band Sydney in 2016 and to Defence Force Recruiting in 2018, where he undertook duties of the Careers Coach, Defence Interviewer and Careers Promotion Team.
In November of 2019 Simon was promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer and posted to the Royal Australian Navy Band South Australia as the Bandmaster. Based out of Keswick Barracks in Adelaide, Simon held the position of bandmaster for 4 years. During this time, he led the band in support of various ship launches, the commissioning of HMAS Encounter III, and he deployed in HMAS Adelaide III as the Fleet Bandmaster for Exercise RIM OF THE PACIFIC (RIMPAC) in 2022.
Simon assumed the position of Bandmaster Royal Australian Navy Band Queensland in January 2023.
RAN Band Queensland Ensembles
For correct acknowledgement of RAN Band ensembles and naming conventions, please refer to the RAN Band Acknowledgement Guidelines.
To obtain official imagery and/or graphics of any of our ensembles, please contact navyband.pr@defence.gov.au.
Big Band
The RAN Band Queensland Big Band consists of a 22-piece group comprising five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones, rhythm section and vocalists. This group has the ability to cover a board range of artists, from the 40s classics of Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra, to their modern counterparts such as Michael Bublé and Natalie Cole, to the most contemporary dance music of today. This gives the ensemble great versatility and the ability to support a cross-section of events. The band performs at festivals, charity functions and high-profile public events all through Queensland and are well prepared to satisfy their many and varied audiences.
Jazz Ensemble
The RAN Band Queensland Jazz Ensemble is one of several smaller capabilities provided by the unit. Comprising rhythm section, horns and vocals, the Jazz Ensemble is the perfect choice to provide fine background music to events such as official functions, cocktail parties, dinners and corporate or charity events. The ensemble presents music from the swing era to contemporary jazz standards, from Billie Holiday to modern artists such as Michael Bublé, and has the capability to provide anthem and bugle support to ADF mess dinners.
Cover Band
The Cover Band is a sought after choice for a range of events around the state. Augmented by a four piece horn section and four vocalists, the band has the ability to cover music from classic rock to current Top 40 covers. With such a wide selection of music the ensemble can support many different events, and provide background music or vibrant audience engaging performances.
Join RAN Band Queensland
Full details about joining the Band can be found on the Join Us page.
RAN Band Queensland in City Hall Brisbane, Queensland, 2021.
