Queen's Cup features country school bands

Australind Senior High School is hosting the 59th annual Queen’s Cup band competition this weekend.

What was originally a brass band competition to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Busselton in 1954 has grown to include a jazz big band competition, a solos and small groups competition and a concert band competition, including all high schools and community bands in the South West.

Bands from Australind, Bunbury, Busselton, and Margaret River high schools will feature over the weekend as well as the Albany, Bunbury and Busselton brass and concert bands.

This year it is Australind Senior High School’s chance to host the event and music teacher-in-charge Andrew Mackay-Sim said he was looking forward to the weekend.

“We are all working hard behind the scenes so that this year’s Queen’s Cup is a huge success,” he said.

“It’s such a fun time for everyone involved as well as all the punters who come along to enjoy the music.

“It’s also a fantastic opportunity for our students to get some performance practice and to be inspired by the other talented musicians who play at the competition.”

The festivities kick off tomorrow with a Great Gatsby jazz night before the competition begins on Saturday with the solos and ensembles taking centre stage between 9am and 1pm.

The Queen’s Cup brass band competition runs between 2pm and 4pm and the concert bands claim the limelight between 10am and 4pm on Sunday.

Tickets from Australind Senior High School range from $3 for concession card holders to $20 for a full weekend family pass.