The Henty Brass Band started in the late 1800s. The earliest public performance to be found was the “Whit Monday” sports meeting and the accompanying ball to be held on the night of May 30, 1898, in aid of the School of Arts building fund. The band, at the time was under the leadership of Herb Eulenstein.
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The band’s fundraising activities continued until the annual meeting on April 15, 1899. The meeting was held at the premises of Mr Schnelle, with Charles Haberecht (secretary), Mr Dubbleda (treasurer) and 10 members of the band present. The balance sheet was declared satisfactory. The Schnelle’s offer of the use of their new store for practice on Tuesday nights was accepted.
The band continued with some success, until 1909, when they played at the Children’s Fancy Dress Ball in aid of the Church of England Fund. The event was billed as one of the most successful ever held in Henty.
In December, 1909, it was announced that Mr A Forbes was appointed bandmaster of the band and would be paid 10/- (10 shillings equal to one dollar) per week and that he would conduct two practices per week.
On January 19, 1910, the Culcairn Comedy Club conducted a “Mock Trial” at the Henty School of Arts in aid of The Henty Brass Band. The mock “Breach of Promise” trial had over 20 witnesses and played to a very good house. The Culcairn group said they hoped the band would return their kindness at a future date.
In October 1913, Mr Rally Sandegren was appointed bandmaster of the Brass Band.
In 1915, The Henty Brass Band was at the head of the huge procession commencing the Empire Day Celebrations.
In 1916, in a letter to the editor of The Henty Observer and Culcairn Shire Register, it was revealed that the Henty Brass Band was in trouble both financially and otherwise and did not have the support of the public, and they were undecided as to what the band committee should do to remedy the situation.
By 1917 the band had disbanded and was replaced by a school boy brass band. In 1918 the Culcairn Show Committee accepted the tender of the Henty Boys Brass band for the second day of the Culcairn show. The band offered a reduced price as the profits were to go to the Repatriation Fund and the band donated the £1/1- (the one guinea fee) to the fund.
It was reported that the band was making a name in the Riverina and was the only boys band between Albury and Sydney where all band members were under 16 years of age.
