Q : What do Carols by Candlelight, the Easter Parade, Maldon and Baringhup Show and almost every other major event in town have in common? A: The fantastic musical presence of the Maldon Brass Band, that’s what!
The Maldon Brass Band has been bringing joy through music since the Gold Rush and is rightly proud of its noteworthy contribution; the members are delighted to blow their own horns. Band member Andrea Khong points out that the band is special. “We’re privileged to have a continuously running band, what a great thing,” she says.
The band invites everyone to be involved as a listener or a player; did you know that the band encourages visitors to observe its weekly practice sessions? Oom-pah! “Anyone’s welcome – Band Practice is on Tuesdays and is open for people to come and have a listen,” Andrea says.
It’s just an example of the fun and inclusive nature of the band, which is open to all abilities and has options for musicians young and… less young.
The junior/beginner group and the main band got together for a photo and told the Tarrangower Times about their experiences; all were glowing. Frances said: “I thought it would be fun to play an instrument and it is.” Mary said: “I played 50 years ago — tuba back then — and I joined the band about four months ago. I’m being very encouraged by all these lovely people and having a lot of fun getting back into music!”
If you have any experience with music and looking for a new activity, consider marching along to Band Practice to get a feel for it, with no pressure to join. You don’t need your own instrument and you will be gently guided by Director of Music Daniel Clarke. “We’re very open to people with a musical background and I know Daniel is open to teaching them to play a new instrument,” Andrea says.
“A lot of our players have picked up a brass instrument later in life. They say the brass instruments are easy to pick up and do not require as much dexterity as some other instruments because they only have a few buttons,” she explains. Options include the cornet, baritone horn and tenor horn, euphonium, tuba — all suitable to play music from the band’s extensive and specific brass band library. “They want to maintain the brass band legacy which has been going for 150 years,” Andrea says. “It would be hard to find music to include woodwind and string instruments.” Having said that, the band works on a great variety of pumping tunes including film scores and classics.
Maldon Brass Band provides instruments and uniforms to members; there is a small annual membership fee. Call Daniel Clarke on 0409 166 388.
Tune into Band Practice at Maldon Community Centre (Progress Hall) on Francis Street, every Tuesday evening. Juniors and beginners from 7pm and main band from 7.30pm. Maldon Brass Band has a few gigs lined up in the lead-up to Christmas, keep an eye on social media for details: facebook.com/maldonbrassband.
This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 29 November 2024.
