Musical talent

The Warragul Municipal Learning Band capped another stellar year with its end of year soiree last month.

Band pieces were interspersed with individual solos, as the band performed to celebrate another year of development under conductor Anthony Gardner.

Mr Gardner said he started the learning band two years ago, with an overall aim to bring young talent into the senior band.

“We competed at the Traralgon eisteddfod as a separate entity, and it was good to get some professional critique,” he said.

“We’ve had a couple of playouts, including at Fairview and Rosehill Gardens.”

“What a difference 12 months can make, we’ve come a long way,” added Mr Gardner. “We now have 18 students in the band and a few have gone up to play in the senior band.

“It’s exciting, the main aim is to get them to transition over.”

The learning band is proving to be a real family affair, with Catherine Durant and Sue Kevitt-Mills joining the band to play with their children. The band also includes a further three sets of siblings.

The band’s youngest member, Elyssa Lang, is eight-years-old, with the band offering heavily subsidised lessons.

The learning band built on their experience and exposure in the community when they performed at Drouin’s Carols by Candlelight event. The band also played at the Warragul Carols by Candlelight on Christmas Eve.

Following a break over the holiday period, the learning band will resume practice on Tuesday nights at the Bruce Armstrong Bandroom.

Right: Sue KevittMills and Eloise Hunt play the cornet. Sue plays alongside her son Eamon Simmcocks, who also plays the cornet. Left: Ilyan Mofakhami on horn, along with Alannah Hunt and Kael Mason on tenor horn, make up part of the Warragul Learning...

Left: Making up the percussion contingent of the Learning Band are, from left, Catherine Durant on glockenspiel, Elyssa Lang on side drum and tamborine, Idris Mofakhami on bass drums and timpani, and Max Hunt on drum kit.