In 1962 several Latvian people formed the "ADELAIDE LATVIAN BRASS
BAND" to provide the Latvian people of Adelaide with traditional folksongs and music for dancing. There was a Canadian Latvian Band which disbanded and as far as we know we are the only Latvian Brass Band in the World outside Latvia. In 1970 the name of "ADELAIDES' LATVIESU PUTEJU ORKESTRIS" (ALPO) was adopted and is still used for Latvian Community functions.
Janis Palins was the Bandmaster until his retirement in 1973 when Steve Garie was invited to take his place and set about introducing the Band to the wider community with the alternate name "ADELAIDE VILLAGE BAND" being used since our first Schuetzenfest in 1976 and the 2005, 41st Schuetzenfest was our 29th !!
It is rewarding to see young players progress through the Band, currently Gay Lee plays percussion and trombone, her sons John and Simon play trumpet and percussion and daughter Bethany starting on clarinet. Previously described by the Mayor of Clare as "the Band of Merry Men" the players enjoy performing in this unique ensemble. Sousaphone player Walter Grapatins at age 96 recently ceased active performance due to a stroke. In between over 400 "gigs" we produced 8 cassettes which were sold. The burgundy and white uniform reflects the Latvian flag.
The Band presents "Genuine Oom-Pah" music of mainly marches, waltzes and polkas and some of our instruments are European oval originals with rotary valves.
7 very successful Out Of The Square Matinees (OOTS) were presented in August 2009 throughout suburban Adelaide featuring soprano, Grace Bawden and guitarist, Jim Garie.
