Band Fusion creating magic on stage with local bands

Band Fusion is back again for another combined live music spectacular.

The Riverina Conservatorium of Music (RCM) proudly presents the collaborative performance featuring the Australian Army Band Kapooka, Wagga Wagga Community Band, RCM Student Concert Band and the Riverina Concert Band.

RCM conductor and Band Fusion organiser Tamara Spencer said everyone is looking forward to repeating the experience of having all four bands in one room again.

The program on the night will feature music by Queen, Neil Diamond, Frank Ticheli, Brian West, highlights from Mary Poppins and original compositions by Kara Williams and more.

The combined bands, with about 75 to 85 musicians, have been preparing for a couple of months for their collaborative spectacular.

All four bands will combine for a mass performance after the interval.

Australian Army Band Kapooka conductor Major Gregory Peterson said the mass band finale was a sight the Riverina audience wouldn’t get to experience all that often.

“It’s a pretty amazing thing to be a part of when about 75 to 85 musicians are on stage playing the same music,” Major Peterson said.

“I’m looking forward to the performance.

“This is a chance for the people in the community to support local music and be part of something different in terms of the size and scope of the bands.”

Ms Spencer, who had been conducting the RCM Student Concert Band and the Riverina Concert Band, had the idea to create a combined band performance.

“I thought, wouldn’t it be nice to combine these bands with the Wagga Community Band and the Army Band,” Ms Spencer said.

“And what are the chances that we can get all four bands in one room at the same time I asked, and everyone said ‘yes’.”

Ms Spencer said the collaboration is hugely beneficial for the students at RCM to have the opportunity to play with the professional musicians from the Australian Army.

“It provides a fantastic learning opportunity for our students to sit next to the professional musicians of the Army Band.

“Students can be musicians and see music is a real career path,” she said.

Major Peterson said the band’s mission is to engage the community through music.

“This is a great opportunity for us to play alongside community ensembles,” Major Peterson said.

“During the rehearsals process we identify talent and make them aware they can use their skills as a musician to serve Australia.

“We also offer informal mentoring along the way, which includes musician tuition and guidance.”

Band Fusion is on Saturday, 6 August from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Henschke Catholic Primary School hall in Mount Austin, Wagga.

Entry by donation.