The Band of the South Australia Police was made a full time unit in 1958 and changed from Brass Band to Military Concert Band in 1974.
The Concert Band instrumentation is based on the long tradition of military and service bands throughout Australia and around the world.
With musical trends changing in modern times the Band has evolved with the addition of electronic instruments and vocalists.
Consisting of 34 members, the concert band includes multi-talented instrumentalists who double on woodwind, brass and percussion instruments to cater for a diverse range of musical styles. Several members of the band also specialise in areas such as sound engineering, musical arranging and compering.
The versatility of the concert band lends itself to a range of performance settings including indoor concerts, outdoor community events and ceremonial occasions.
Repertoire spans traditional military music (marches), light popular classics, movie themes, Broadway songbooks and swing, featuring soloists and sections from the band.
Named in 2016 as a State Icon the concert band connects with communities all over South Australia building relationships and delivering safety messages through the universal language of music and entertainment.
The band runs an annual work experience program providing an immersive experience for young South Australians in professional musical employment setting.
The parade band includes the full contingent of the Band of the South Australia Police in ceremonial marching format.
Providing support to formal ceremonial occasions such as Police Graduations and Opening of Parliament, the parade band is also well loved throughout South Australia for leading the annual Christmas Pageant and community celebrations around the state.
In parade band format, the Band of the South Australia Police has been internationally recognised for their innovative and entertaining marching displays at Tattoos and music festivals across Europe and the UK.
With a repertoire ranging from the Count Basie swing era to Dusty Springfield, Frank Sinatra and Blues Brothers floor shows, the Big Band of the South Australia Police is in high demand at corporate and charity functions around the State.
Most recently, the band performed its show Basie to Buble as a part of Country Arts South Australia's Concert Season, which was well received by a near-capacity audience at Keith Michell Theatre in Port Pirie.
Led by Constable Tom Pulford, the big band prides itself on recreating the tight brassy sounds of the traditional Big Band era with a versatile, contemporary edge.
'Off the Cuff' delivers a high energy, entertaining mix of Dixieland, Jazz and Dancehall tunes by artists such as the Blues Brothers, Elvis, Dean Martin and more.
This popular 12 piece line-up of musicians and pseudo-comedians has audiences tapping their toes and singing along to their favourite vocal and instrumental numbers. And of course, audience participation is always more than welcome.
The SAPOL Brass Quintet was established in 1986 and has the capacity to deliver both ceremonial and commemorative support, and provide opportunities to engage with the community.
In 2001 the Brass Quintet toured South Australia's North as part of the 'Brass on the Birdsville' initiative, which resulted in their first CD entitled "Brass Encounters".
Able to adapt programs to suit a variety of occasions, the group plays music that delights and inspires - be it heralding the arrival of dignitaries, the playing of stirring hymns and bugle calls, or concerts featuring a diverse range of repertoire, from Renaissance to Contemporary music.
The Brass Quintet has been invited to perform at the Annual University of Adelaide Open Brass Day on several occasions and can be heard on live radio.
The spectacular sound of brass turns any occasion into a memorable event, and the Brass Quintet is proof of this - adding a powerful and dynamic dimension to concerts and commemorative services.
Playing a varied repertoire of baroque, classical, ragtime and popular music, the SAPOL Clarinet Quartet was formed in 1996.
Consisting of one bass clarinet and three B flat clarinets (or occasionally one E flat clarinet) this ensemble is regularly called upon to provide entertainment for community groups with lighthearted, chamber-style concerts. The quartet also plays regularly for ceremonial events and is ideal for adding ambience to dinners and corporate-style functions.
The SAPOL wind quintet was formed in 1988 by Constable David Burvill-Holmes. The ensemble was developed from the historically traditional wind quintet concept consisting of Flute, Oboe, B flat Clarinet, French Horn and Bassoon.
The Wind Quintet boasts an extensive repertoire, ranging from the Baroque period composers like J.S. Bach and G.F. Handel, Classical period of J Haydn and W.A. Mozart and F. Dansi, through to the Romantic Era and music from the 20th Century. Individual Quintet members have over the years also added their own individuality with arrangements for the ensemble.
The Quintet regularly supports ceremonial events performs an array of concerts for Senior Citizens, various community lead groups and adds a delightful atmosphere to any special occasion.
The South Australia Police traditional jazz band is much loved by communities across the state for their infectious blend of old-school trad jazz and barbershop inspired vocal harmonies. Providing lighthearted entertainment with a virtuosic twist, this group of cheeky, talented musicians is a favourite amongst audiences of all ages.