Presenting new Australian pieces and rare collaborations, the Ballarat Wind Orchestra will return for its first and only show of the year at the end of the month.
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On Sunday, October 27, the ensemble will perform at the Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts with guitar virtuoso Bruce Mathiske and Orchestra Victoria principal trumpet Mark Fitzpatrick.
As well as Bach's Toccata, four original Australian works will be performed.
One, accompanied by Mr Fitzpatrick, will be recorded for the first time, and its composer, Benedict Deane-Johns, will be in attendance.
Orchestra president Andrew Dale said it is also the first time three of the pieces, suites written by Mr Mathiske, had been transcribed for wind orchestra - he joked he wasn't feeling any pressure from playing with the composers in attendance.
"We're keen to play and promote Australian works, especially for this type of ensemble," he said.
First flute player Samantha Smith said wind orchestras had a different texture to many other bands.
"The flutes get more lead lines, we get the string parts and I love that," she said, smiling.
Wind orchestras do not have a string section, typically including a strong brass and percussion contingent with saxophones, flutes, clarinets, and more.
The orchestra's conductor, Dr Mario Dobernig, has been with it from the beginning, leading it on three overseas tours.
"We're very lucky to have Mario as our chief conductor," Mr Dale said proudly.
Community music ensembles play an important community function, he added - many of the musicians are part of other groups, like brass bands, and they are growing.
"I think as Ballarat grows, there'll be more people coming with musical skills, we're glad to embrace those people," he said.
"All the people who have been involved over the years have had a strong connection, they've grown up, lived here or studied here."
Tickets to the performance are available online through the WCPA website or through TryBooking.
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