The Mudgee Concert Band – who are set to celebrate their first anniversary this week – have scored a rare and prestigious honour.
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The group finished first in the Open Concert Band section of the Bathurst Eisteddfod on the weekend.
They competed against four Bathurst-based bands to bring the trophy with them back to the local region.
And make the coming first year celebrations all the more special.
The Mudgee band was invited to compete at the event and was required to perform two contrasting pieces to demonstrate what its capabilities were.
They chose ‘The Mask’ and ‘Caliber’.
Conductor Katherine Wilson said it’s a tremendous success for the group that formed because the musicians taught but had no band to perform with.
“It’s exciting because the band is only a year old and we’re only celebrating our first birthday this Thursday,” she said.
“We have 23 members now, within the space of a year, which is fantastic.
“And this is only the fourth time that we’ve actually performed all together, so to come first is a real achievement.”
The members range in age from Year 7 school age upwards.
Katherine said she hopes children from primary school will go on to join the band along with the high school band.
Earlier this year the band also took out their section at the Gulgong Eisteddfod.
Their next gig is the Big Band Riot in Dubbo on October 14.
