Flying start for concert band conductor

RECENTLY-appointed Bendigo and District Concert Band musical director Renée Boland is on a mission.

With three decades of experience as a music educator primarily in New South Wales and the NT, after relocating to Bendigo last year and initially joining the historic ensemble as a saxophonist, she has now stepped in as its maestro.

Boland has set her sights on upping the group’s numbers from the current count of 33. There are members aged from 18 all the way up to a sprightly 93.

“We will take anyone who’s interested but they’ll probably enjoy it more if they have a couple of years of experience playing,” she said.

“We’ve got people in the band who hadn’t played since high school but they wanted to get back into it, then we’ve got a few other people who play every day and are involved in lots of bands.

“There’s certainly no auditions or a set standard. Essentially, everybody is welcome.”

Boland said Bendigo and District Concert Band differs from a standard brass or pipe band in that it includes woodwind instruments.

“So you’ve got your flutes, clarinets, saxophones, plus the brass instruments; trumpets, trombones, tubas, euphoniums, and then percussion,” she said.

“It’s almost like an orchestra with no strings.”

Boland said if there are any locals out there who “want to get their chops back”, have fun in an encouraging, supportive, no-pressure community group, they’re welcome to go along to the band’s weekly rehearsal every Thursday evening from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in the Band Hall at Tom Flood Sports Centre.

“It’s a lovely multi-generational community environment and such a lovely space to be in,” she said.

Find out more on the Bendigo and District Concert Band website or by emailing [email protected]