USQ Big Band visits Millmerrran

Things are about to heat up for the University of Southern Queensland’s Big Band as they set-out on their annual regional tour.
Since its formation in 1985, the Big Band has been kept busy with performances at charity and community events, workshopping at regional schools and public performances throughout Queensland.
“This year has been incredibly busy for the Band, performing at a number of University events and functions including Graduations and Open Day, as well as accompanying Rachael Beck and Ian Stenlake at the recent Ice Crystal Gala Ball,” said Director, Martin Crook.
“It’s exciting to be getting back on the road again and visiting regional schools to workshop with their young instrumentalists.”
The Band will visit Millmerran today, August 18, spending the afternoon workshopping with students from Millmerran State School, St Joseph’s Primary School and Cecil Plains State School, followed by a public performance in the evening.
The concert will be presented in the Millmerran Cultural Centre at 6pm, with admission by gold coin donation at the door and proceeds going towards the three schools.
The community concert will feature a program of favourites performed by the USQ Big Band, augmented by young players from Millmerran and Cecil Plains.
The Band will also visit St George and Kingaroy during its 2011 regional tour.
“The workshops are a win-win – they provide regional students with a chance to learn new skills, but also give us a great deal of satisfaction,” Mr Crook said.
“Many of the Band’s members ultimately go on to become educators, so this time spent in the schools really helps them fine-tune their practical teaching skills.
“It’s all about fostering aspiring young musicians and having a whole lot of fun along the way!”
The Band draws its membership largely from the music student body of the University of Southern Queensland and, with the ongoing support of Ergon Energy, has, over the past decade, presented an even further-reaching performance season.
Ergon Energy General Manager Service Delivery Southern, Paul Jordon, said sponsoring the USQ Big Band was a terrific way to add to the vibrancy of regional Queensland communities.
“At Ergon Energy, we take great pride in contributing to our local community and we are especially pleased to support a program which gives budding regional musicians an exposure to opportunities they might not otherwise receive.