Members of the Sale City and the Traralgon Bands lead the ANZAC march through Rosedale

Sale City Band takes the stage at the Traralgon Eisteddfod

THE players in red were out in force on Sunday September 13, representing Sale City Band in the 60th Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod, competing with 13 other bands.

Sale City Band players attend this eisteddfod every year to compete against brass bands from across the state as part the Victorian Band's League.

Sale for the first time had two bands perform on the day; the Sale City Training Band and Sale City Band.

Sale City Band placed second in D section in a field of five bands for the second year in a row. The music was challenging but the players rose to the occasion and developed some new skills through the lead up.

Musical director Hugh Davies prepared the band to a high standard, anticipating they would make the Sale community proud.

This year was the first time the Sale City Training Band had attended the Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod, a testament to the growing number of students and families looking to community music education that can continue beyond the years of schooling.

With learners from six years to more than 60 the group is continuing develop and grow. There are places still available for term four for both current music students and beginners of all ages.

Rehearsals have resumed, as the band prepares for its next exciting event.

The Sale City Band along with members of the training band, has been invited to attend the biggest collaboration of brass bands to play in Federation Square. The band will play a set of entertaintainment music to thousands of spectators in the world class performance space on October 18.

The band has urged community members to continue to support the band's fundraising, or to plan a daytrip to support the band.

Sale City Band was one of 14 bands from across the state to perform in Federation Square, Melbourne.

An initiative of the Victorian Bands' League in conjunction with the Federation Square Story, is bringing back the days when parks and bandstands had a local band playing for the community.

"BandStand Sunday", held last month, highlighted the events, people and historical stories of community bands in Victoria. In its first year of undertaking, 14 bands from across the state were invited to perform, including local icons, the Sale City Band.

The event was held at Federation Square in front of an audience averaging 350 to 400 people there throughout the day.

Sale City Band represented country Victoria and Sale with pride. Travelling the longest distance and looking the part in red, the band pulled a great crowd of all ages with tunes like Let It Go and The Final Countdown.

Players ranged in age from eight to 87 years, sitting side-by-side musicians with between one and 80 years playing experience.

Brass banding in Victoria is on the rise. More and more youth are taking the opportunity to learn music in community based environments, where lifelong lessons of musicianship and friendship are formed.

The musical opportunities beyond schooling education ensures brass bands and this generation of youth will continue to thrive and inspire through music in the future.

With the festive season beginning, there will be many opportunities to hear Sale City Band's diverse repertoire locally.

The Sale City Band room has been renamed after a musician who has been involved with it for more than 60 years.

At the band's recent annual presentation evening Ken Garner was surprised with the honour, and members of his family attended to share the moment.

Mr Garner has been involved in many aspects of the band from fundraising to building the facility's foundations with his own hands.

He continues to attend rehearsals and play-outs, and shares his wisdom and witty stories with younger members of the music community.

Long-standing band member Leon Salter was also recognised and presented with a life membership.

He began learning cornet in primary school through the junior learning program run by the Sale City Band.

Mr Salter's musical prowess has taken him all around Australia and he recently played in the United Kingdom and France.

A band spokesperson said he was an amazing supporter of community music and the band appreciated his years of commitment.

Other awards presented on the evening included Monique Lawless as 'bandsperson of the year' and Tom Cousin as 'best all rounder', for their commitment and enthusiasm in promoting and running junior development programs to inspire the next generation of brass players.

Junior member Jonty Condron was awarded 'best learner' and Graham Patrick received 'most improved', who after 47 years has revisited his love of music.