SW life, culture in music

A didgeridoo will join the line-up of brass instruments at the Bunbury City Band’s 110th anniversary concert this weekend.

Saturday night’s concert will showcase the shortlisted compositions to celebrate the history of Bunbury and the band.

The arrangements had to be based around Bunbury City Band’s crest and reference to the area’s indigenous people and culture.

Songs were entered by composers from the United Kingdom, New Zealand and around Australia and the South West.

Bunbury City Band secretary Geoff Ogden said the composition competition was about capturing the history of Bunbury through the sound of a brass band.

“One piece is based on potato farming with different melodies depicting different types of potato, ” he said

“Another depicted a black swan taking off and flying around Bunbury Port and another is a sailing song called Rocky Point.

“The concert is just the start and we will look at using the compositions for the band.”

The songs will be performed by the Royal Agriculture Society of WA Brass Band from 7pm on Saturday and a winner and people’s choice award will be announced at the close of the show.

Noongar musician Troy Bennell will join the brass band with his didgeridoo during three songs.

Although the didgeridoo was not traditionally from the South West it was incorporated into the arrangements.

The concert comes amid a weekend of performances by jazz, brass and concert bands and soloists for the annual Queen’s Cup competition.

For more information click here to visit www.bunburyentertainment.com

“The concert is just the start and we will look at using the compositions for the band” — Geoff Ogden

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