Playing the trombone was certainly Ron Richard’s forte as a band member, although playing ‘forte’ wasn’t his only strength as a player.
From the creamy tones required to play some of our loveliest hymn tunes, through the lush, velvety tones suited to waltzes and love songs, the subtle, intricate rhythms and harmonies of Jazz and Latin music, to the mighty blaze of sound during a parade — Ron could produce it all.
We recall a magnificent performance of the solo ‘Lassus Trombone’ at our band’s November concert at the Deni RSL (in 2005, but it seems like only yesterday!).
Ron delighted the audience with his lightning fast shifts, soaring melodies and outrageous glissandos, for which the trombone is admirably suited.
Despite many hours of rehearsal, it was a challenge for the band accompaniment to keep up with Ron.
Russ Fisher has indicated that Ron began his musical career entertaining classes at George Street School, playing the banjo mandolin.
Later, in his early teens, he joined the Deniliquin Municipal Band, learning trombone.
He expanded his skills during the 1960s, playing dance band music, firstly in the Melody Makers and later as a member of the Coachmen.
In more recent times, Ron played swing music with the Deni Dance Band, featuring at Australia Day breakfasts in Waring Gardens, as well as providing the music for old time dances.
Ron just loved jazz, and had a great feel for it.
He played jazz regularly with Deni Jazz and the River City Swing Band in Echuca, along with other players from Deniliquin, and could frequently, at rehearsals of the Edward River Concert Band, give a piece a ‘‘bit of swing’’ even when it did not, perhaps, have the conductor’s approval.
We all know that Ron was an incredible computer addict.
It became his calendar, social guide, bookkeeper, editor of ‘Banding Together’ (the municipal band’s monthly news sheet and band calendar, replaced in later years by the copious number of emails we all received from time to time).
These skills, combined with special organisational skills, led Ron to take on the coordination of a highly successful Band Day in Waring Gardens on Sunday, March 6, 2011, as the culmination of the Deniliquin Back To celebrations that year.
The band recital featured six bands from all over the region, with music echoing out of the park from 10am to about 4pm.
During the following Australia Day ceremony, the Mayor Brian Mitsch presented Ron with the Deniliquin Community Event Award for 2011, commenting that, ‘‘It was truly an amazing event’’.
Ron expressed his stunned acknowledgement and thanks, saying, ‘‘it was great fun’’.
In November that same year, Ron organised a band excursion to the Leeton Band Spectacular, where a total of 15 bands tried to outdo each other.
Ron was particularly proud of the Deniliquin Municipal Band’s performances, placing us among the top three bands during the weekend.
We share the grief of Ron’s family at the passing of our esteemed player and friend, who contributed so much to Deniliquin during his 70 plus years as a bandsman.
~ Contributed by Ian Bathgate, on behalf of what is now known as the Edward River Concert Band.