On Stage: Advent Brass: 100 Year Celebration Charity Concert

Advent Brass Band’s 100 Year Celebration Charity Concert at Art Centre Melbourne’s Hamer Hall provided a truly joyous journey down memory lane.

The band was founded in 1925 by educationalist and musician W.J. Gilson with the vision of giving young people an opportunity to blend musical excellence with Christian service to support the church and the community.  It has served churches, schools, and the community, assisting with a variety of programs, concerts, and marching parades and has also won multiple awards at the Australian National Band Championships.

Over 50 members of the Advent Brass Band and the Advent Youth Band and a number of special guests led by James Morrison celebrated its 100th birthday.

All ages were represented – from a nine-year-old band member to 100-year-old Romney King who won the audience’s heart with his playing of Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata 2 Movement.  A pre-recorded interview with King provided many laughs.

A short piano duet with James Morrison showed both men’s great musical skills.

Morrison’s musical prowess continued to shine throughout the concert as he joined with the band to present such numbers as Waltzing Matilda, Peace Like a River, I Got Rhythm, Maple Leaf Rag and Three Kings Swing.  Joking with the audience  when some things seemingly didn’t go exactly to plan showed a great sense of humour.

In other highlights he accompanied himself on the piano when performing Basin Street Blues as well as his son William singing Moon River and Walter Saluni singing  Amazing Grace. 

Saluni was one of several vocalists to showcase their talents.  Helena McKee and Tim Jaques’ singing of All I Ask of You, and McKee and Saluni’s The Prayer were most moving.

Solo numbers for each of the vocalists, who are or were members of the band, included McKee’s I’ll Walk With God, Saluni’s Sway and Jaques’ Impossible Dream.

A number of pieces performed were accompanied by footage.   Highlights included the opening scenes from the television series The Flintstones which accompanied the band playing the show’s theme song Meet The Flinstones.  

All You Need is Love was accompanied by footage of the Beatles while Singin’ in the Rain included a tap performance from young band member Nathaniel Jackman.

Such was the talent and enthusiasm of the performers it’s disappointing that only one concert was staged.  But given that enthusiasm and talent, together with the ages of younger band members, the Advent Brass Band is sure to continue to take centre stage for many more years to come. For more information on the band visit the Advent Brass website.

Jenny Burns attended the concert, held at Hamer Hall on September 14 as a guest of the band.