Some of the best brass musicians from around Victoria are preparing to perform for the first time in months.
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Victoria Brass' first concert since COVID restrictions eased will be at Sacred Heart Cathedral on November 27 with former Bendigo resident Matthew van Emmerik conducting.
Dr van Emmerik said the band took a leap of faith in organising the event before the easing restrictions had been announced.
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"We felt the opportunity was too great not to try," he said. "If it didn't eventuate, we had other things set up, it's just so fortunate that it has all fallen into place.
"Restrictions lifted two days before our first rehearsal, which was a really great feeling for the group. Realistically, no one has played together for two years and certainly not at this level.
"We are hoping as many people come as possible and support live music that hasn't happened for so long."
Victoria Brass was formed in 2015 by Bendigo musician Mark Ford. The band is a collection of elite musicians from all corners of the state.
"We've got players form Bendigo, Castlemaine, Gippsland and some other country places as well," Dr van Emmerik said. "The majority of the band is in Melbourne, so it is a big cross section.
"These guys are the cream of the crop and elite performers of the instruments they play.
"Mark Ford - who still plays with the band - had the idea and vision that there needed to be some sort of elite ensemble to perform new music.
"We have been on hiatus a little bit and in last two years there has been next to nothing but everyone we contacted (for these concerts) jumped at the chance."
Growing up in Bendigo, Dr van Emmerik has been to a number of services at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
"As a youngster I went to services at the cathedral and my family was involved in the community with my father being a former director of music for the choir," he said.
"It has been a dream for me from a young age to hear what it sounds like to have an elite ensemble at the cathedral. I always thought, 'how good to conduct that'.
"I grew up in the community's music scene with the Strathfieldsaye Municipal Band. Mark was one of my teachers and Alan Davey, who were both conductors respectively. So I have always been around conductors.
"Through my time overseas being involved with music in the military and though my studies in Manchester, conducting became more serious and I was involved at a higher level.
"This is a bit of a homecoming, the last real time I performed in Bendigo was with the Strathfieldsaye band."
Victoria Brass perform at Sacred Heart Cathedral on November 27 at 7pm ahead of their show in Brighton on November 28.
Renowned organist Calvin Bowman and vocalist Matthew Little will be the featured soloists. Mr Little was the British RAF's principal vocalist and has performed for Queen Elizabeth II.
For details or to pre-book tickets find Victoria Brass on Facebook or email moniqueelliott@hotmail.com
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