Royal Navy Band back at Portarlington

A MUCH-loved music staple of the Bellarine’s annual calendar returns in November with the Royal Navy (RAN) Band making the trip around the bay for a concert at the Portarlington Neighbourhood House.

Based at HMAS Cerberus, Westernport, and consisting of 35 full-time members, the RAN Band has played at the 300-seater Portarlington Parks Hall several times but the concert on November 6 will be their first since the pandemic.

“It’s a lovely hall for this type of thing and the crew come and check out the acoustics and make sure that things are going to go perfectly,” Neighbourhood house member and organiser Gemma Tobschall said.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to see an amazing performance locally without having to travel to somewhere like Melbourne.”

The band’s musical capability includes big band and jazz ensembles, brass and woodwind chamber ensembles, as well a highly entertaining cover band.
“They vary the program, so it’s not all classical or pop, it’s a mixture,” Ms Tobschall said.

“They give a wonderful concert… I stay at the front door when people are leaving and people thank me for organising.”

Ms Tobschally said the community has missed the band and is looking forward to its return.

“Everybody joins in singing, or claps or taps their feet if they know the music.”

The show starts at 2.00pm on Saturday and runs until 4.30pm with intervals in between where people can get a glass of wine or a coffee.

Booking is available via trybooking.com/events/landing/967128 or tickets can be purchased from the Portarlington Neighbourhood House at 87 Newcombe Street, Portarlington.