Concert band ready to play carols

COMMUNITY-based, volunteer group Haddon Community Concert Band will be performing Christmas carols opposite the Ballarat Town Hall later this month.

They will be playing a range of traditional and modern songs with the aim of getting the community in the Christmas spirit.

“We’re playing a mixture of Christmas carols, we play modern music like A Fairytale of New York and Santa Claus is Coming to Town and traditional music like Away in a Manger,” said band president Jonathan Flind.

“We play every year on Sturt Street and people come past in their cars in the evening and it’s a lot of fun.”

The performance is an annual tradition and something Mr Flind said brings joy to both band members and the community.

“It’s the fact we all get together, play music and entertain people creating enjoyment,” he said.

The group gathers weekly at the Lions Club in Haddon playing at a range of community events across the year.

The are currently looking for new members and will be moving rehearsals to the Salvation Army in Eureka Street to attract more people to join.

“Our numbers are getting smaller unfortunately, so we made a decision to move closer into town as the majority of people come from Ballarat,” said Mr Flind.

“It’ll be a transition to move across and hopefully we’ll gain new members.”

The performance will take place near Santa’s sleigh and reindeer, opposite the Town Hall from 6pm on Saturday 16 December.