Navy band heads port side

PORTARLINGTON Neighbourhood House is gearing up to again host the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Band for a community concert this month.

The RAN Band has a history spanning more than 100 years and is based at HMAS Cerberus, the Navy’s primary Victorian training establishment, located on the Mornington Peninsula.

As the public face of the Navy, the band acts as custodians of naval tradition and ceremony and plays a vital role in promoting awareness of the Navy’s contributions.

“It’s a first-class concert,” event organiser Gemma Tobschall said.

“The Navy band itself loves coming to Portarlington because they love the audience we get here.”

The 35-piece brass band comprises some of the finest musicians in the Australian Defence Force and has been delighting Portarlington audiences since 2016.

Ms Tobschall said she enjoys seeing the audiences’ reaction to the concert.

“I stay at the front door to see them going out and everybody has got a beautiful smile,” she said.

“They say ‘I hope they’re back next year’.”

The concert will be held at Parks Hall at 87 Newcombe Street, Portarlington and will showcase a broad range of musical genres, including both traditional and contemporary pieces.

“Their repertoire is varied and most enjoyable,” Ms Tobschall said.

“There will be a little bit of classical, a little bit of jazz. It goes across the spectrum.”

Popular tunes and songs from musicals featuring a vocalist are also a regular occurrence.

The show will run from 2-4.30pm on Sunday 26 October, with an interval in the middle.

The bar will open from 1.30pm on the day.

Ms Tobschall said the concert’s 2pm start time was ideal for those who may not be looking for a late evening.

“This is a concert for everybody,” she said.

“I would just encourage everybody to come because it’s a lovely afternoon of beautiful music and I guarantee everybody will have a lovely time.”

To purchase tickets, head totrybooking.com/CLONF or phone the Portarlington Neighbourhood House on 5259 2290.