DAYS of rehearsals in Ararat paid off for the Grampians Youth Brass Band with a well-received performance in Halls Gap on Friday.
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Ararat City Band conductor Wally Pope said it was the second year that the band had been formed with musicians aged seven to 21 from across the region.
“I thought the kids did a great job,” he said.
“The hall was mostly full. The audience members were all appreciative, they were rapt. One of the ladies said she told he friends they missed out big time.”
“It’s better to play for an appreciative audience. They were great and very generous with their applause.”
Mr Pope said the young musicians were all excited and happy after performing in the show at Halls Gap Centenary Hall.
“Before the show we went up to Boroka Lookout and played ‘We Will Rock You’ by Queen,” he said.
“We played and sang and got some really good photos.
“They had really good fun up there and I think the fun just flowed on to the concert.”
The musicians attended a rehearsal camp at the Ararat City Band’s bandroom and practiced for four days.
The sessions lasted from 10am to 4:30pm with a last-minute rehearsal on Friday morning before the 2pm show.
“The concentration level from the kids was through the roof,” Mr Pope said.
“The highlights were ‘We Will Rock You’, obviously. We did ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ and we started with ‘Gonna Fly Now’ from the Rocky film.
“We did a composition that featured some improvisations from students in ‘Dorian Mode’.”
The Grampians Youth Brass Band has grown since its first year, increasing the number of musicians from 15 to 23.
“It’s grown significantly. When we do it again we should have just about a full band, which should be good,” Mr Pope said.
“They way the young musicians worked together was really good. The more senior kids in the group would lead the sections.
“They did a remarkable job helping and teaching the other kids.”
Mr Pope also thanked the tutors for their help.