Blue Mountains Concert Band on track for State Competition

On Saturday 8th August, members of Blue Mountains Concert Band attended a special rehearsal (pictured) to focus on three contest pieces of music to be performed at the NSW State Band Championships later in August. 

Under the baton of conductor Rob Mattessi, the band worked on the competition reflective piece, Shenandoah, followed by Guilin’s Majesty, their Test piece for the contest. Finally, the exciting composition, The Witch and the Saint, was the focus of many careful adjustments to ensure the band prepared it as it was intended to be played.

Blue Mountains Concert Band celebrates the intergenerational music-making that is a characteristic of this band. Extra rehearsals such as this one are important aspects of competition and community banding, and all band members worked diligently to finesse particular aspects of each piece. Importantly, outcomes of additional extended rehearsals extend beyond the competition arena into all the band’s community performances. 

The rehearsal was funded in part by a grant from the Blue Mountains City Council Community Assistance Program. We are grateful to Council for their support of our organisation.