The Central Highlands Festival of Bands
Each year, the Central Highlands region in Queensland transforms into a symphony of sound thanks to the Festival of Bands initiative.
The much-loved program provides opportunities for community members to engage in music making and skills development throughout the year, culminating in the highly anticipated Festival of Bands performance in Emerald.
The annual performance is more than just a musical extravaganza—it's a celebration of community spirit and local talent.
Empowering community through music
The key focus of the program is to provide educational band experiences to develop and sustain the musical skills of wind band, stage band, and choral singers.
Approximately 2,500 students from Emerald, Blackwater, Springsure, Rolleston, Tieri, Capella, and Clermont participate in school performances and workshops each year.
Festival of Bands President, James Raschle, said the festival exposes students to live performance on instruments including flute, clarinet, saxophones, brass, percussion, and voice.
“This exposure to live performance, otherwise not available in the region, encourages students to uptake learning a musical instrument or vocals,” he said.
Festival of Bands performance in Emerald.
“Encouraging this uptake of musical learning increases participation in local school and community bands and choirs and assists the ability of these ensembles to contribute musically to their local school and wider communities.
“As an event, the festival showcases the musical potential in regional Queensland, provides locals with access to quality musicians otherwise not accessible in the region and allows the artists to share their work with a new audience.”
Creating value together
Glencore first partnered with Festival of Bands in 2021 and has since invested $170,000 to support the initiative.
“The partnership with Glencore provides immense benefit to our organisation,” James said.
“It has helped us improve our digital presence, assisting with participation and promotion of the event, and with seeking further funding.
“Without the support of Glencore, the Central Highlands Festival of Bands would be cost prohibitive; the ongoing support brings a valuable experience, otherwise not available that advocates and develops musical learning in the region.”