Rehearsals: 1st and 3rd Sunday, 2:00pm-4:00pm (Winter), 3:30pm-5:30pm (Summer)
The GK’s Marching Band is our ensemble for ‘Music on the Move’, combining music, marching and showmanship. As one of our oldest ensembles, Marching Band was first established in 1984 as a group of school-aged musicians that went on to compete and represent Australia overseas during the 1990s and early 2000s. Since its relaunch in 2020, the band has switched focus away from competing to fostering skills in musicianship and drill, having fun, and exercising our bodies and minds. Led by our Drum Major John Buckley, the band, colour guard and drill team perform classic marches, popular tunes and ceremonial music at commemorative events and parades, including the Sydney Royal Easter Show and ANZAC Day. |
Is Marching Band right for me? Marching Band welcomes musicians with several years’ experience with their instrument and ensemble playing. But Marching Band isn’t just for musicians and you don’t need to know how to march to join. People of all ages and experience can join the colour guard carrying banners and flags; perform routines as part of the drill team; represent the GKs as our mascot, Boomer; or learn to lead the band as a Drum Major. All members practice the fundamentals of marching and routines during rehearsals too. | Which instruments can I play? Marching Band is a wind ensemble made up of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments, including: Woodwind - Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinets (Bb Soprano and Bass Clarinet), Saxophones (Alto, Tenor, Baritone). Brass - Bb Trumpets, French Horns, Euphonium (aka Baritone Horn), Trombones (inc. Bass), Tuba Percussion - Drum Kit, Bass Guitar, as well as a variety of pitched and unpitched ‘orchestral percussion’ instruments including: Glockenspiel, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Cymbals, Triangle, Timpani, ‘toys’ (e.g. Cabassa, Woodblocks etc). |
