Musical fanfare for new band

By Jane Gardner

If you’ve been lucky enough to have heard the new Ballan Community Street Band, then you’ll know what an uplifting and fun experience it is.

After receiving a small start-up grant from Moorabool Shire Council, Greendale resident Oli Hinton formed the band in early February 2023.

Oli says he had no idea who would walk through the door on the first night, or what instruments they’d bring.

“So, there was a bit of nervous anticipation,” he said.

“But it was a fantastic first session, with 10 band members attending, bringing saxes, horns, clarinets and more.”

By the end of the first meeting, the band had mastered two new tunes and by the second rehearsal, the group had already practiced parading around the car park.

Oli has played the baritone sax in many street bands over the years and was excited to bring together local people from different backgrounds to form the Ballan Community Street Band.

“We have members from Ballan, Gordon, Myrniong and further afield. It’s about being informal, inclusive and having fun,” he said.

“We have no amplification, we learn simple tunes by heart and as the name suggests, we usually play in the street.”

Street bands play a mix of musical styles, including world music, Latin, folk, pop and jazz.

Dressed in their street-themed black and flannel outfits, the Ballan Community Street Band had their ‘world premiere’ at the recent Moorabool Mushroom Festival (back in April) playing their set-list of seven tunes to an appreciative festival crowd, in the car park at the Ballan Community House. And word on the street is, the band’s second performance at the recent Ballan Farmer’s Market, was described by locals as “brilliant” with a number of excited, happy children following the band around as they played.

The Ballan Community Street Band meets every Monday fortnight (during school terms) 7 – 9pm at the Ballan Bowling Club in Cowie Street. The band is keen to welcome new members, particularly percussionists. There are no fees or auditions, just a basic ability to read music.

For more information contact Oli on 0415 983 348 or [email protected] or visit the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BallanCSB/