Lions reviving collaborative concert

AN annual concert involving Ballarat schools is returning after a two-year gap and will bring three college bands together for a charitable cause.

On Tuesday, 23 August, the Lions Club of Sebastopol and District will revive their School Bands Extravaganza concert at Woodman’s Hill Secondary School.

Club member and event organiser Ron Thomas said the event will provide a fun night for attendees.

“We’ve been looking forward to this after our little COVID hiatus. There’s a lot of good musical talent about, and they get to come together to enjoy themselves and have a good time,” he said.

“Our last one was absolutely fantastic. The students really do have a great time doing what they do best and mixing with each other along with the audience.”

Straying from the event’s traditional four-band bill, the concert will showcase Phoenix P-12 Community College’s concert band, BOB from Ballarat High School, and School’s The Accidentals from Woodman’s Hill Secondary.

Mr Thomas said funds from the night will go towards the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre.

“BRICC is one of our pet recipients of our donations and so anything they want they can come to us and we make sure it happens,” he said.

“Obviously we’re not going to make much from this, but that’s not the point. It’s not a money-raising venture.

“The main theme of the night is to give those school bands the opportunity to perform in front of an audience and get together and have fun.”

The event will start at 7pm with entry at $5 for adults and a gold coin donation from people under 15.