3 minute read
The chance to make beautiful music
The Lane Cove Concert Band is on the hunt for some new raw talent.
WORDS: TRACEY PORTER
Chances are you have someone in your life occasionally prone to blowing hot air.
You know the type - the friend who can’t always be relied upon to follow throughon their verbal commitments or the family member who occasionally exaggerates their life achievements when in the presence of others.
But could the solution to your collective frustrations be just on your doorstep?
The Lane Cove Concert Band (LCCB) is calling for recruits for its beginner program to encourage those with a decent set of lungs to put them to good use.
Formed in 1963 with just a handful of members but now boasting up to 180 members across three concert bands, a woodwind ensemble, a jazz ensemble and a big band, the LCCB is best known for its performances at council-run events such as citizenship ceremonies, ANZAC Day services and Christmas in the Park.
The organisation has also drawn acclaim for raising community spirits following its performances at local hospitals and retirement villages.
Boasting members from a diverse rangeof occupations, its past alumni includes such notable names as Mark Brown, the current conductor of the Lane Cove Youth Orchestra who has worked with Sydney Symphony, Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and trumpeter David Elton who is best known for his time with the London Symphony Orchestra. LCCB president Michelle Casiglia say the beginner program for adults, being held for just the third time in the band’s 58-year history, aims to encourage community members to take up woodwind, brass or percussion instrument with a view to one day performing with one of the group’s six different ensembles.
Casiglia, herself a graduate of the 2011 beginner programme, says the offering is unique to that offered by other bands in that participants are not required to have any prior musical experience.
“I had never played a musical instrument before but had always wanted to even as a child. I ended up with flute because there was one spare to hire, so I started learning at 38 years of age. I picked up my instrument on the Tuesday morning and went to band on Tuesday night not knowing how to read music and could barely put my instrument together. It has now become a great passion of mine and since then I have started having piano lessons as well.”
When it comes to membership of the LCCB age too is of little concern with members aged anywhere from 18 up to people in their 70s, she says. Nor is there any limit on the number of applicants that can be accepted onto the beginner program.
Casiglia says all that is required of beginner participants is to identify their chosen instrument – encompassing everything from the French horn to the saxophone – and commit to a two-hour rehearsal at the Waterview Community Centre once a week.
In exchange for a small joining fee of $130, all wouldbe musicians will be given a term of rehearsal time, and granted full access to the band folder which includes music and a band book.
Ideally, participants will also obtain some one-onone tutoring on their instrument with LCCB able to offer guidance in terms of suitable tutors, as well as having a selection of instruments for hire.
Casiglia says the organisation’s primary purpose is to “bring people together and form a community through music”. “We are very keen to encourage people to learn new skills and to reach their potential whatever level they’re playing at.
“All our members have a love of music and musicmaking. They’re friendly, supportive of one another and enthusiastic. They are also adventurous and determined and very community-minded.”
“It’s not just about learning the instrument, it’s so much more than that and while the idea of launching into something new might be daunting – it’s so worth it.”
