Community and school Concert Bands have often been the starting point for many an aspiring performer, providing an inclusive environment for players to hone their musical skills, not just with their chosen instrument, but their ability to read, count, listen, discipline, and interact within a team environment.  

They may not go on to play a horn or flute in later life, but they take those skills and memories with them.  

Famous people who once played in concert bands include:  Aretha Franklin (tuba); Julia Roberts (oboe); Lizzo (flute/piccolo/French horn); Johnny’s Depp and Carson (percussion); Lionel Richie and Richard Gere (saxophone); Steve Earle, Shania Twain and King Charles (trumpet); and Dolly Parton (drums majorette).

Open to all ages, Concert Bands comprise mostly woodwind, brass and percussion (i.e. a mini-orchestra without the string section) and have been around since the French Revolution, when large bands would gather for festivals and celebrations.  Repertoire can vary from military marches, film theme songs that pull at your heartstrings, Christmas carols, or quirky folk tunes.

Friendly rivals, Lismore City Concert Band [formed 1979] and Ballina Shire Concert Band [formed 1883], try to get together every year to share repertoire and capacity.  

This year, after a joint workshop/rehearsal, they’ll present a selection of pieces separately and then as one combined band:  That’s around 60 people playing nearly two hours of gorgeous harmonies with powerful acoustic instruments.

 Commencing at 2pm, the concert will be held on Sunday, 13th August, inside the main hall of St Joseph’s School in Alstonville (44 Main Street).  

Entry is free, with a donation bucket available for those who are able to help with costs.  Some of the songs on this year’s programme include ‘La Flauta Fiesta’; ‘Y.M.C.A.’; ‘Gonna Build A Mountain’; ‘Hoedown’; Elton John’s ‘Crocodile Rock’; Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’; the theme from TV series ‘Peter Gunn’; and a fun little ditty involving sandpaper, called ‘Sandpaper Schottische’.

 Lismore City Concert Band is also actively looking for new players, especially trumpet, trombone and percussion.  Why not go along on the day to see if the music can draw you in?  You don’t need to be a virtuoso, just some basic ability to read music and make a decent noise on your instrument (with some instruments available for hire). 

The Lismore band rehearse on Monday evenings during school terms) at Southern Cross University (in the Music building) while the Ballina band rehearse on Wednesday nights at Swift Street band hall.