Celebrating Solo Success

TOP performers ...Daniel McKimm (above) and Marita Davies (inset) took out their solo performance sections at the Traralgon Eisteddfod.

CELEBRATING success from the Traralgon Eisteddfod are Sale City Band members Marita Davies and Daniel McKimm.

Daniel won the Merv Leitch Memorial Trophy for the most promising junior cornet player for an exceptional solo performance. He also won the under 12 years Solo section.

Daniel is one of the newest recruits with the Sale City Band, and is showing true musicianship as he progresses.

Marita Davies also won her section for 14 and under 16 solo on any instrument. Marita has been playing with the band for a number of years and has shown fine skills on a variety of instruments, always able to rise to the challenge called for in her playing.

In the bands section the Sale City Band came in second in their competition. Bandmaster Hugh Davies said that the level of competition at Traralgon has improved dramatically and Sale can be justly proud of the placing they received. "Frankston Band were a treat to listen to, and deserve their first placing," he said. Little separated the two bands in the points scored.

At the Monday night practice the Sale City Band was joined by three former members who were home. Jason Grimestead, percussion player with the Army Band, came along to lend a hand. Jason had recently returned from serving with the Army in East Timor.

Loise Mowat and Aaron Richard were home on semester breaks from university. Ken Garner, long time band member, was delighted, and said that it was great to see the players return for a night of good music and band fellowship. ''You see them grow up and learn all they can and it is very heartening to realised that they have learnt a skill for life," he said.

Sale City Band will be giving a community concert on November 5 in the Sale Memorial Hall and everyone is welcome.