The newly formed West Gippsland Concert Band is looking for interested musicians to join the exciting musical community.

Created by saxophonist and owner of the Yarragon Studio Niels Bijl, the West Gippsland Concert Band is an opportunity for local woodwind, brass and percussion players to come together and perform as an ensemble.
Niels said the concert band was open to musicians of all skill levels and ages.
"It's an open invitation to everyone in our region, if they want to join, just contact us!" Niels said. "Just let us know what level you are, we can accommodate all levels, all genres and all ages. The only thing interested people have to do at the moment is reach out and send an expression of interest."
Niels said the idea for the concert band was born out of a conversation with Sarah Lucas and Emma Nicholson from the Warragul Municipal Band.
"We were standing outside the Bruce Armstrong Band Room, talking about where woodwind players go (to play as a group) and Sarah asked me 'why don't you start a concert band?'," he said.
"That got the ball rolling because when I started talking to people (about the idea), the responses I got were people saying they used to play in a concert band, but because there wasn't one in West Gippsland, they had to drive to Moe or Pakenham."
Niels said the concert band also could connect band members with further music education opportunities.
"If there are people who not only want to play in the concert band but (are also seeking further) music education, we can create very easy pathways to get you wherever you need to go, whether it's woodwind, brass, percussion or strings," he said. "It's a proper setup of easy music education for kids and also adults in our region.
"While still in the "start-up phase" for the concert band itself, a junior band training program has been established to educate and inspire the next generation of musicians.
Stemming from music workshops run during the June and September school holidays, the junior band training program is designed to provide ensemble performance opportunities for young musicians.
Niels said the junior band training program can help further existing music education, or provide the first stepping stones for learning an instrument.
"Kids who already have music lessons through school and they want to do something with it should join (the training program), or if they go to a school where there aren't any music lessons on offer, they can come to us," he said. "Kids who haven't had any lessons can join and we'll find matching music education for them as well."
"We have a one-hour rehearsal for the junior band training program every Thursday afternoon between 4:30 and 5:30pm at the Bruce Armstrong Band Room."
For more information about the West Gippsland Concert Band, visit www.westgippslandconcertband.com.au
To send an expression of interest, contact westgippslandconcertband@gmail.com or 0498 387 227