More than 3300 Australian musicians have descended on Launceston for the National Band Championships.
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Starting on Friday, the competition will see the bands and soloists take part in a test piece and a song of choice, adjudicated by Nigel Seaman. He has flown from Wales to witness the Australian talent.
“What adjudicators always look for is the basics, getting the right notes, the right time, for things to be in tune and together and to be in balance,” he said. “I’m looking for enjoyment, we’ve got some great music, for the set test pieces and for the own choice.”
On Saturday morning, more than 1000 people will take part in a parade leaving Prince’s Square and finishing at the Mall. Chair and convener of the championships Peter Quigley said it’ll be a parade like no other.
“The bands will be in their coloured uniforms all playing and all marching. There is nearly 40 bands marching so it’ll be quite a spectacle.”
On Sunday the competition will host a gala concert at the Albert Hall with some of the best brass bands in Australia performing.
The committee having been organising the event since 2014.
“The amount of work that needs to go in to an event like this is quite significant,” Mr Quigley said. “We have a small organising committee who have worked very hard to make this possible. But we would like to thank the city of Launceston.”
The public are welcome to attend the events. Tickets available from Barratts Music.