Collaboration set to stun in spiritual surrounds

December 4, 2025 BY Adam Carswell

Heritage hallmark: The Bendigo Brass Band's roots go back to 1862 when it was established as the Sandhurst Volunteer Band - at a time when community brass bands were among the first organised musical groups in many towns. Photo: SUPPLIED

A PERFORMANCE promising “two for the price of one” on Sunday week will bring together the ethereal voices of Bendigo Chorale and the crisp notes of the famed Bendigo Brass Band.

Brass! Choir! Christmas! will represent the second partnership between the two groups, both of which have long maintained a significant presence in the cultural landscape of the region.

Bendigo Youth Brass will also play a role on the day.

Chorale committee and choir member Janice Donnelly said the first-time appearance of Bendigo Youth Brass promises to be something special.

“It’s great to have young instrumentalists getting a go,” she said.

“If we’ve got young people performing, their parents and friends love to come along and support them, so it’ll be lovely to have them.”

Bendigo Chorale, founded in 1957 under the name Benola Singers, has experienced success at many state and interstate choral competitions over the years.

Ms Donnelly said on the Chorale side of things preparations are going really well.

“We’ve been getting together every week and working through the program and we’re at the polishing stage now,” she said.

“We’ll get together next week with the Brass Band and finalise the logistics of it all – there’s a lot of people involved and it will be interesting how we manage everyone, but it will all come together in the end.

“It’s always relaxing for people to be able to sit back, close their eyes and let the music wash over them.

“It’s a nice way to spend an afternoon.”

Brass! Choir! Christmas! takes place on the afternoon of Sunday 14 December at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Tickets are available at trybooking.com/events/1504535/sessions/6061549/sections/2893985/tickets.