A band that began it life as the Ballina Brass Band is turning 140 years old this year. The band was first formed in 1883 and is one of the longest continuous serving bands in Australia.
Now called the Ballina Shire Concert Band, the group will celebrate their impressive longevity with a concert for the community on Saturday featuring music and memorabilia from 1883 to 2023.
Over the past 140 years the Ballina Shire Concert Band has been a regular performer at many local Ballina Shire community events and commemorations. Starting with just 10 members in 1883, today the band boasts over 35 active members, ranging in age from 12 to 94.
A collective passion for music
The band members, lead by musical director, Laurie Green, join together every Wednesday night at the Wigmore Hall on Swift Street in Ballina, to celebrate their collective passion for music.
To celebrate 140 years, the Ballina Shire Concert Band will host a ‘Celebration’ concert on Saturday from 3pm, at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre (1 Mackney Lane, Lennox Head).
Everyone is invited to go along and enjoy a musical journey spanning the past 140
years.
A concert to remember!
Ticketing information can be found on the band’s Facebook page and website. It is bound to be a concert to remember!
The concert will celebrate the band in its current form, as well as acknowledge its proud history. Past band members and associates are invited to share in this celebration and are encouraged to register their interest.
The Band is also seeking additional information about its history for a memorabilia display. If you have any old photos, competition trophies, stories and other relevant memorabilia you can contribute, the Band would love to hear from you.
Please contact the band via: www.ballinaconcertband.com or email: [email protected].
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