The Shepparton Brass and Wind Band is making the long trip to Ballarat to compete against bands from around the state.
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The Victorian Bands’ League is holding its annual Victorian State Band Championships, and with only one rehearsal left before the big day, the News went along.
We asked members of the band what got them into music and why they love it.
Here’s what they had to say.
Jim Simpson: Tuba
I chose to play the tuba because I grew up playing it in brass bands in the United Kingdom. I love playing the euphonium and the tuba, as I can play the tuba in both the wind band and the orchestra.
At the moment, I play just the tuba in the Shepp Brass Band. I’ve been playing tuba since I was 10 years old, so nearly 40 years playing.
Valerie Murphy: French horn
Valerie Murphy.
Photo by
Djembe Archibald
I actually started by playing tenor horn, for years and years, and then I played the trumpet, which I didn’t like as much. But I like the French horn because it’s got the lower register, which is very pretty.
Mozart composed a lot of music for the French horn. I play three bands now. I started learning on the horn in my 50s actually, so about 15 to 20 years ago.
Beth Tivendale: Flute
Beth Tivendale.
Photo by
Djembe Archibald
I chose flute when I was in Year 5 because they handed it to me. But then I played it a bit more in school and in this band, and I started to like it.
I love it now because all the flute players I’ve met are super nice and, you know, they call it a community band for a reason, because it’s a community.
Katherine Cartwright: Trumpet
Katherine Cartwright.
Photo by
Djembe Archibald
I chose my instruments back in Year 7. In high school we did testing of each mouthpiece to see what we had an ability for, and I had an ability for trumpet. I’ve been playing it ever since, which is about 30 years.
I love it because you get to play with a diverse range of people and you meet new people, as members join the band. Really, it’s my artistic release.
Steven Sargent: French horn
Steven Sargent.
Photo by
Djembe Archibald
I ended up playing brass at secondary school and, really, that’s how I ended up on French horn. I like all brass instruments. I like how they look, how they work — the tradition and history is interesting as well.
French horn has a good repertoire. Also, you can throw them in a lake and pull them out and still play them — you can’t say that about a violin.
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