Stellar concert marks band’s 125th birthday
MILESTONE birthdays deserve a party worthy of the occasion and that’s just what the South Gippsland Shire Brass Band gave the community on Saturday night.
Around 130 people attended the band’s 125th anniversary cabaret concert at the Dakers Centre in Leongatha and they were treated to a musical program spanning decades.
Gonna Fly Now, the thundering theme song from the action film Rocky, opened the show, enthralling the audience and setting the tone for a superb evening of rock, swing, marches and more.
Guests were presented with hymns such as Abide with Me, patriotic pieces like I Am Australian and the stirring Victoria, written to honour our state.
Greatest War Themes, a melody of theme songs from World War Two movies, symbolised the band’s close ties with the Leongatha sub-branch of the Returned and Services League, and with the diverse Bohemian Rhapsody, displayed the band’s many capabilities.
There were popular favourites such as the arousing Superstar, the anthem for peace, Imagine, and the catchy Love Is In The Air.
Band president Natalie Stewart performed a memorable cornet solo during the touching He Ain’t Heavy, and trombone extraordinaire Don Santin held the audience’s attention during his solo in Europa.
A highlight of the evening was the performance by the band’s training band of children and adults, who entered the building while playing Darth Vader’s Theme.
They followed with fine renditions of Star Wars, Beauty And The Beast and Ghostbusters, before joining the senior band in playing the famed Tequila.
Ms Stewart made and decorated a commemorative cake for the occasion and the band performed Happy Birthday.
A display of photos from the band’s history and musical instruments were talking points.
Raffle and door prizes were appreciated by the winners and compere Craig Marinus, also musical director of the Wonthaggi Citizens Band, entertained throughout the evening.
The band was established on February 19, 1892, as the Leongatha Town Band, making it the oldest community group in Leongatha.
The band’s first official engagement was welcoming home a wounded soldier from the Boer War at the Leongatha Railway Station, beginning a long association with veterans and the RSL community.
In 1945 the band was renamed Woorayl Municipal Band and in 1995 became the South Gippsland Shire Brass Band.
All members are volunteers and come from many backgrounds, from first time musicians to former professional players.
The band rehearses at Leongatha Courthouse on Wednesdays at 7.30pm, with the training band meeting earlier. To find out more, email [email protected]
Ready to play: from left, South Gippsland Shire Brass Band members Paul Stampton of Mardan, Simon Wittwer of Switzerland, Judy Stampton of Mardan and David Jackson of Korumburra at the band’s 125th anniversary cabaret concert in Leongatha on Saturday.
Simon is working on Mark and Jenny Cecil’s dairy farm at Poowong.
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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Jul 25 2017. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
