Bundaberg Municipal Band will celebrate Australian Heritage Festival with a free community concert in Alexandra Park’s historic rotunda.
We asked the organisers to share with us what the community can expect to enjoy at the event.
What are you doing for Australian Heritage Festival this year?
This year, the Bundaberg Municipal Band is providing a free community concert, playing lots of olden-day tunes to which the audience can sing along.
Songbooks will be provided to help with forgotten words.
The singing will be led by Bundaberg’s own Alison O’Malley.
When and where will your event be?
The band will be playing in the historic rotunda in Alexandra Park on Sunday 10 May at 2 pm.
How can the community get involved or attend your event?
We always have at least one free community concert a year in Alexandra Park, attended by our regular ‘Friends of the Band’ and visitors to the park on the day, welcoming anyone who would like to come and listen to some great live music.
This extra concert in the rotunda will make our second for this year in this beautiful, shady outdoor venue.
All the community need to do to attend our heritage event is turn up on the day and for those who like to sing, collect a songbook and join in the heritage celebration.
Why did you decide to get involved in this year’s heritage festival?
It’s a great opportunity for the brass band to play in the historic rotunda and provide musical entertainment.
Our members LOVE to play their brass instruments and having a large audience always increases the enjoyment.
We already have been practising a great selection of tunes which will be just perfect for the heritage theme.
And each song has great olden-day words that the audience can sing and be part of the music.
Why do you think it is important to preserve and appreciate heritage in the Bundaberg Region?
It is really important to preserve and appreciate heritage in the Bundaberg Region, because it is our history that makes us who we are.
Anything else you’d like to tell us?
The Bundaberg Municipal Band was formed in 1935, when the Bundaberg City Band and the Bundaberg Excelsior Band combined.
The band has a long and historical association with Bundaberg City and has been providing music for the community for over 90 years.
Competing in many brass band championships at both State and National, the band has succeeded several times in various grades.
We still play for community events such as Anzac Day and the Rats of Tobruk memorial services each year, with many players up and out very early, going from one service to the next, playing ‘The Last Post’ and ‘The Reveille’ or ‘Rouse’.
We also continue to provide community concerts at a range of indoor and outdoor venues around the Bundaberg Region.
Australian Heritage Festival runs from Saturday 18 April to Monday 18 May.
For more events and activities, see the full Bundaberg Region Australian Heritage Festival program here.
Bundaberg Municipal Band Mother’s Day Concert
When: Sunday 10 May, 2 pm
Where: Alexandra Park Rotunda, Quay Street, Bundaberg
Free, no booking required.
