A Vibrant Community Music Organisation
We are proud of our reputation for providing meaningful performance and learning opportunities for instrumentalists of all ages and abilities. The Golden Kangaroos is all about finding a place for everyone and ensuring that no one's left behind. The band offers a range of ensembles catering to musicians of all experience levels, from the absolute beginner to the seasoned instrumentalist. See below for information on all our ensembles.
Our Ensembles
Concert Band
Rehearsals: Tuesday night 7.30-9.30pm
The Concert Band is our flagship ensemble. Membership is for experienced and capable musicians of all ages. Rehearsals focus on tone, technique, ensemble balance, phrasing, musicianship and performance.
Concert Band’s calendar includes concerts, championships and community performances. It showcases a wide variety of wind band music including band masterworks, adaptations of orchestral works, stage and screen music, jazz and of course marches.
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Concert Band Members can combine with Explorer Band members for tours, competitions and other performances.
Explorer Band
Rehearsals: Monday night 7.30-9.00pm
The Explorer Band is our intermediate ensemble. It is suited to people with developing instrumental skills, proficiency in reading music and wanting to experience playing in a group setting.
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Members build foundation skills, develop more fluency in their playing and learn how to be part of a large ensemble.
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The ensemble learns and performs a range of musical styles including Broadway and film music, jazz, swing, classical music and pop tunes with repertoire written for developing players.
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Explorer Band performs at the GKs’ regular concerts and at community events. Members can combine with Concert Band members for tours, competitions and other performances.
Discovery Band
Rehearsals: Monday night 6.00-7.00pm
The Discovery Band is for people starting their musical adventure including those who have not previously played a band instrument (woodwind, brass and percussion) and may not yet read music.
Our progressive programme includes basic instrument tuition, reading and music theory.
With a new Discovery Band starting each year, group lessons start with the basics: putting the instrument together, producing a sound, reading music and playing in a group.
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Within months the group has enough experience to present its first performance at one of the GKs regular concerts for an appreciative and supportive audience of family and friends.
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The musical journey doesn’t stop there. Most Discovery Band members continue to improve, going on to join Explorer Band, Marching Band, Concert Band or Stage Band.
Marching Band
Rehearsals: 1st and 3rd Sunday, 2:00pm-4:00pm (Winter), 3:30pm-5:30pm (Summer)
The Marching Band is our ensemble for ‘Music on the Move’, combining music, marching and showmanship. The GKs Marching Band welcomes musicians with proficiency in their instrument and experience in ensemble playing who are seeking a different experience of band performance.
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Its focus is on developing skills in musicianship and drill in a supportive collegial atmosphere while exercising bodies and minds.
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The band, colour guard and drill team perform classic marches, popular tunes and ceremonial music at commemorative events and parades including ANZAC Day and the Royal Easter Show.
Stage Band
Rehearsals: 2nd and 4th Thursday night 7.30-9.30pm
The Stage Band is our jazz ensemble, playing music ranging from jazz and funk to swing and popular tunes. Rehearsals focus on musicianship, jazz and swing fundamentals, and fostering skills such as improvisation and soloing. The ensemble performs at the Golden Kangaroos concerts, as well as jazz nights and community events.
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Is Stage Band right for me?
Stage Band suits people who have played their instrument for a few years, have experience playing in an ensemble, and can confidently sight read.
