The Bundaberg Municipal Band is busy warming up their brass instruments for two upcoming concerts, including the Bundaberg Festival of Brass next month and a gala evening in September.
Band president Toby Smith has been a member since 2006 playing the tuba and said there was about 20 to 25 members who played a range of brass instruments from trumpet to trombone.
The band formed in 1935 and Toby said it was well received by the Bundaberg community.
“We are always appreciated when we perform in the community,” Toby said.
The Bundaberg Municipal Band were back practicing with its family friendly concert in the rotunda at Alexandra Park on Sunday afternoon in preparation for the next concerts.
“We normally get between 30 to 50 people come down and watch us for every concert we do in the park,” Toby said.
The next event on the calendar will be the Bundaberg Festival of Brass at Riverfeast with bands from all over Queensland coming to the Bundaberg Region to join in the fun.
“If it’s the same as Riverfeast last year we will have more than 400 people through the door,” Toby said.
“It’s not just us, we invite bands from all over Queensland to come and join us.
This year we have players from Rockhampton and Wondai joining us, along with Maryborough and the Salvation Army Band and the jazz club.”
Anyone welcome to join Festival of Brass
Toby said the Bundaberg Festival of Brass invitation was still open if any other band would like to join in on the fun at the festival.
He said the theme will just be about having fun and focusing on fan favourites.
Last year the musical group moved from its Burrum St home to the Bundaberg Recreational Precinct and are now in the final stages of renovating the exterior of the new hall.
“We received money from a gambling grant to add to the exterior with painting and cladding,” Toby said.
Toby said new members were also welcome to join the Brass Academy and it didn’t matter if they had no experience with brass instruments.
“We have a juniors program which runs from 6-7 pm on a Tuesday night,” he said.
“That’s for people of any age, just young at heart, and is for people who have never played before or would just like to get back in to it.
“Then the normal practises are Tuesday night also, from 7-9 pm.”
For more information phone Toby Smith on 0439 693 436 or email bundybrassband@gmail.com.
- Bundaberg Brass Band's first public performance of the year at Bargara.
