Numbers were at an all-time high at the third annual Grampians Brass Festival on Saturday night.
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Bands from Ararat, Ballarat, Geelong West and Dandenong played at the Stawell Entertainment Centre in front of more than 100 people.
“It was the best audience we have had since starting the festival,” Ararat City Band president David Cosgriff said.
“The night went fantastically well. It was great to have such a show of support from the community.”
Bands had half an hour to “do whatever they liked with no rules”, giving them creative freedom which resulted in a great show.
Themes such as heroes and villains and a throwback to the 1970s featured on the night. Musicians dressed accordingly to their theme, creating a fun-filled atmosphere.
“The enthusiasm of the four bands in attendance was just great,” Mr Cosgriff said.
”The standard they played at and programs they played were great.”
Geelong West won the Michael Smith Memorial award as adjudged by members from the other bands as the best team on the night. Just one point separated the other three bands.
Mr Cosgriff said the festival serves as a great example how brass and concert bands do more than just play marching music.
“We wanted to feature what community brass and concert bands like this can do,” he said.
“The number one criteria was entertainment value, and all bands certainly lived up to that.”
Mr Cosgriff said he can only see the festival getting bigger for its fourth installment in 2019.