St Peters Marching Band - ANZAC Day March

On Sunday 25 April, St Peters Symphonic Winds and Drumline were honoured and privileged to be involved in two important ANZAC Day events.

GRANTLEY SUTCH

Symphonic Winds and Drumline joined forces to create the St Peters Marching Band this year. The 70-piece ensemble descended upon Queens Gardens to step off in the annual ANZAC Day Parade through Brisbane City. The students represented their school with great professionalism, dedication and commitment, marching behind banner holders, Josiah Ruthenberg and Jake Harford and lead by Drum Major, Gabriel Valdez Cadena. This performance was the culmination of months of rehearsal, memorisation and marching practice through the College grounds.

The band then followed up with a repeat performance at the Brookfield Showgrounds to commemorate the 2021 Shell Green 20/20 Cricket Match.

On 17 December, 1915, a cricket match was held on the Turkish site now known as ‘Shell Green’ as it was the only piece of flat ground. The game was played as a diversionary tactic during preparations for the evacuation and was abandoned after Turkish shells landed close by. The Shell Green cemetery is located near Artillery Road which is now the primary route for personnel who are moving from the ANZAC Cove Dawn Service to Lone Pine.

Drumline kicked off proceedings with a spirited drum battle whilst the Jazz Combo entertained the crowds from the bleachers. The St Peters Marching Band then took to the field with banner holders Maddie Rushmore and Claudia Lynch and Drum Major, Gabriel, to entertain the crowd at half time.

The Brookfield Showgrounds holds a significant place in the history of the war time efforts. Not only has it become the commemorative site for the Shell Green re-enactment, but it is also the site where local horses were mustered and donated to the war effort with a large portion of the 2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment being formed from our local community.

Thank you to Mr Jacobson for preparing the Drumline to lead the Marching Band; Mr Pradella in assisting the students to memorise their music and march with precision and dignity and, Ms Milner for making sure the students presented in immaculate uniform. Thanks also to Mr Gilfedder and Mr Mudge for their incredible photographic skills.

A special mention to Mr Grant Mason for his wealth of experience, knowledge and support of the St Peters Marching Band. Most importantly a sincere thank you to our incredibly supportive families and all the members of Symphonic Winds and Drumline for their tireless efforts in preparing for such an important occasion. This year St Peters presented our largest and most professional group of musicians. It was a great honour to once again be invited to march in the parade and a privilege to have Head of College, Mr Tim Kotzur, march alongside with us.