The Gunnedah Shire Band and Tamworth RSL Brass Band recently came together to perform at a Brilliance of Brass Concert.
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The event was held at Tamworth Capital Theatre and emcee’d by Gunnedah’s Ray McCoy who was in the band as a child.
Gunnedah band’s musical director Lawrence Rowe said both bands played well and “were appreciated by a full house”.
“The music on the night covered a wide range on genres and had something for everyone,” he said.
Members of the Gunnedah band played a number of pieces, including Kongolela by Jan Magne Forde, a Goff Richards’ arrangement of I Will Follow Him from the film Sister Act, and Fire in the Sky by Peter Meechan.
Among soloists were Katelin Bush who played The Piper O’ Dundee by Kenneth Downie, a piece she recently played for her Higher School Certificate exam.
Katelin is the band’s principal horn and started playing when she was eight years old. She has developed her skills to a high level and has won numerous state and national solo competitions.
To finish off, the band played Reunion & Finale (from Gettysburg) by Randy Edelman, and arranged by Andrew Duncan.
“Gunnedah Shire Band is most grateful of the opportunity to perform at this concert, which is now in its fifth year,” Mr Rowe said.
Band conductor Anthony Rowe said he was thankful to the Tamworth band for organising the concert.
“It is now a key date in our band’s calendar,” he said.
“We also like to thank all the people from Tamworth and further afield who attended the concert.
“This support is invaluable to both bands.”
Tamworth band’s publicity officer Julie Roy said the band had invited Gunnedah to feature at the concert a number of times. Last year a band from Newcastle featured.
“Obviously, Gunnedah is a great band with a lot of expertise and very good quality musicians,” she said.
“It’s nice to support each other.”
The Tamworth band was conducted by Noelene McGrane, with a variety of pieces played, including Punchinello March composed by William Rimmer, the Christian hymn Abide with Me by Scottish Anglican Henry Francis Lyte, and Band of Brothers by Michael Kamen, accompanied by the Tamworth Choral Society in the choral section of the piece.
Ms Roy said the theatre was almost full, with at least 350 people attending.
“It was a very well supported concert,” she said.
The publicity officer said one of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of life membership to Tamworth band member Don Munro.
“He is our first life member for the band,” Ms Roy said.
