Some of the Ashburton Silver Band’s youngest members are getting their first opportunity to play at a big concert this weekend.
The band is presenting Winter Warmup at the Ashburton Event Centre on Sunday from 2pm.
Ashburton Borough School year 6 pupil Monte De Sitter has been playing the trumpet for three years.
He said likes the silver band’s big sound.
‘‘I’m looking forward to the big crowd and the people from Christchurch who will be there.’’
His family had encouraged him to take up the trumpet. He recently played at a friend’s wedding.
The youngest member of the band is Allenton School year 4 pupil, Austen Cawte who is also learning the trumpet.
He said one of his highlights of his 18-month musical career so far was playing Happy Birthday for his dad.
He said he loved playing with the silver band.
‘‘I enjoy learning to read music and I am loving having my own shiny new trumpet,’’ he said.
Ashburton College year 9 student Charlie Lawn has been learning the cornet for two years.
He said he likes playing with the band because everyone playing together makes the music sound good.
He has an interest in the army and is a member of the Ashburton Cadet Unit.
‘‘I’ve always wanted to play the Last Post on Anzac Day,’’ Charlie said.
Fellow cornet player, Ashburton Intermediate year 7 pupil Ethan King has also been learning for two years.
‘‘I love playing in the band because everyone is kind and it’s fun to do.’’
Band committee member Fiona Maginness said the concert would provide an important opportunity to showcase members’ skills.
‘‘As we are small band, there are fewer opportunities for us to play out. We feel it is important to have something to play at, so the band can continue for us and for our younger players,’’ Maginness said.
Winter Warmup will also showcase soloist Chloe Graham, Dance Worx Ashburton, Ashburton Pipe Band, Ashburton Intermediate Kapa Haka, Allenton School choir and Variety Theatre Ashburton.
Funds raised from the concert would go towards overdue maintenance on the band rooms, and to buy new music.
‘‘If we were to fill the Ashburton Event Centre we would like to give them some money,’’ Maginness said.
Braided Rivers Community Trust provided a grant enabling the band to stage the concert.
– Winter Warmup at Ashburton Event Centre, August 4, 2pm. Tickets $20 plus fees.
