MUSICIANS from across Australia are being called on to take to their front yards and play the Last Post this Anzac Day.
World-renowned jazz musician James Morrison – who is based in Mount Gambier – has backed the concept, which was formed by Brisbane music teacher Alistair Tomkins in response to the widespread cancellation of public commemorative services due to the spread of COVID-19.
With Anzac Day marches cancelled nationally and only RSL branch veterans and members able to attend select dawn services across the country, Mr Morrison has joined the call for brass players to band together and play the Last Post from their homes just after 6am on April 25.
RSL branches across Australia have unanimously endorsed the idea, which was brought to Mr Morrison’s attention by Mr Tomkins, going on to share the proposal with his large network of musicians.
“We just started spreading the word to get as many people as possible to be involved,” Mr Morrison said.
“I have got messages coming from musicians all over the place, there’s a whole lot of people dusting off the old trumpet because it’s about all of us getting involved.”
He described music as a powerful thing, which holds a particularly special place in most Anzac Day services.
“Imagine Anzac Day without the music, we could still say the solemn words and everyone would still be moved, but you know the difference when the music starts,” Mr Morrison said.
“The minute silence, as vital as it is to have that silence, it’s a silence that comes after music and it is a different kind of silence because the music is so powerful.”
In Canberra, the National War Memorial service will go ahead and will be nationally televised, as well as being streamed live.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will address the nation before musicians on residential streets around the country are urged to play the Last Post and Reveille for their neighbours.
Mount Gambier RSL president Bob Sandow was intrigued by the idea and said it fell in line with a number of concepts that have been spreading on social media.
“There has been some people on Facebook talking about putting a candle out the front of their house and streaming the dawn service,” Mr Sandow said.
“I think it’s a great idea, I’m just not sure of the amount of buglers we have in town.”
However, Mr Morrison believed Mount Gambier would not have a shortage of brass musicians to belt out the regimental tradition this year.
“We have all the academy students who play brass and there’s even a few saxophone players who can play brass,” he said.
“We have got the brass band, we have got the local orchestra, there’s a number of school children who play brass instruments.
“I’m not sure how many brass players there are, but we’re about to find out because I do not think there will be a brass player in town that is not playing the Last Post on Anzac Day.”
James Morrison Academy students Isaac Bruggemann and Trish Thompson have already confirmed their participation.
“I grew up playing the Last Post through school and then at services in my hometown in New South Wales and I just think this is a great way to keep the tradition going and honour the veterans,” Mr Bruggemann said.
“I think it will be interesting if you have more than one musician in a street and you find out there’s another trumpet player nearby.”
Mr Morrison encouraged anyone interested in the idea to download the sheet of music, start practising and notify their neighbourhood via a letterbox drop.
“I hope when I look up and down my street, somewhere I can see or hear another brass player and it’s going to be awesome even to just hear some echoes around the town,” he said.
“If you think you can do it, have a go.”
