Whether you’re 10, 40 or 80, the Mitchell Shire Concert Band has a place for you, promoting the message that you’re never too old, or young, to learn an instrument.
Assistant music director Sandy Sexton said it was often helpful for learners to connect with a diverse age range in class, and that she loved to see children learning alongside their family.
“When we first started doing this, we mostly did have children, and then their parents came in and sat at the back of the room, and it just became obvious that it’d be sensible for them to join in,” Ms Sexton said.
“The kids love it because they have Mum and Dad at the same level they’re at, and it does the kids a lot of good, it’s really motivating. I also love the idea that families are doing something together.
“For the kids, when they’re in a group where there are other adults, and they get to know them, it’s really good for their confidence — the kids are learning to interact with others of different groups ... And those older people often become sort of surrogate grandparents to the young kids, it’s so lovely.”
While becoming closely connected with other band members is certainly a significant reason to join, it’s also all about the music.
The group says that learning an instrument has many positive benefits, from increased intelligence to enhanced memory, and it can become a life-long hobby.
Eric Anderson, the band’s music director, who once served as the head of the Defence Force School of Music, said learning music taught valuable life lessons.
“It’s learning how to take direction on something that is both very specific and also intangible at the same time, unlike sport, where everyone strives to do the right thing,” Mr Anderson said.
“If the kick comes off the side of the boot, the team just has to try and fix up the mess. If something goes wrong (in music), you’ve got to learn to actually ignore that and get on with the rest of it.”
The band’s learner program is set to return in the new year, and while it is particularly looking for people who want to learn trumpet, saxophone or clarinet, they will still take on people whose heart’s desire is to learn a different concert band instrument.
For $5 a week, a $50 deposit per family for the instruments, and $27 for the music book, you could be on track to living out your concert band dreams.
For more information, contact secretary Elizabeth Bedggood at secretary@mitchellshireconcertband.org.au
26°C