Charlotte Varcoe
THOUSANDS are expected to flock to the region next weekend as the annual Generations in Jazz kicks off.
The three-day festival will begin with Hot Potato Band while other artists such as Miggy and The Generations in Jazz Band, Coco’s Lunch and the Sai Brothers, Kate Cebrano, Budjerah and the Generations in Jazz Orchestra also perform.
Scholarships, a Gala Concert and school competition will also take centre stage before the final concert.
Generations in Jazz board member Kylie Boston said the committee was really excited to once again bring back the mammoth event with more than 20 schools competing than last year.
“The competition will be fierce across all eight divisions of the band and choir so I think that is going to be fantastic for those who really love their music,” Ms Boston said.
“On Saturday people can come and have the opportunity to see some great competition of all the top bands from around Australia which will be fabulous.
“The general public should come along and see some great music because it will be a fabulous weekend.”
Ms Boston said Friday night would host Hot Potato Band before the school competitions really began.
This year, she said there were schools from across the nation including from Queensland with this year’s event expected to reach great heights.
“What is exciting for us is that we are still not quite back to pre-Covid-19 numbers but we are getting close,” Ms Boston said.
“We have got around 100 schools competing and I think about 370 bands and choirs so it is a great effort from the schools.
“That is what is exciting for us, there is a great contingent locally from St Martin’s Lutheran College and Tenison Woods College and I think it is fabulous to see kids locally get that opportunity to compete against all these other schools in their own backyard.”
She said it would also be the first time Hamilton and Alexandra College came to compete at the event after the pandemic.
“We have had a new generation come through with the break for three years due to Covid-19 and those students were some who have never attended before so it was great to see that,” Ms Boston said.
“We had people who were coming for the first time and this year we have schools from Perth and Queensland as well and we are really excited to invite them here and have them compete.”
Ms Boston said the highlight of the event would be the opportunity to hear kids play on stage, especially those in Division One.
“I think we are very lucky and I think having Kate Cebrano and Budjerah will be amazing,” she said.
“Generations in Jazz is all about giving that next generation of musicians their chance to be on stage and it is great we can also showcase guest artists as well.”
Ms Boston said the committee was also encouraging the local community to come along.
“This year for the first time we have also got the most community groups we have ever had involved in helping us run the event,” she said.
“We have got community groups coming in and volunteering at each of our venues and we think this is a great way we can help give back.
“We are a not-for-profit organization but we are very proud of the money we can use through these companies to create some money coming in with everyone staying.”
Leading up to the event, Ms Boston said the committee remained on the lookout for volunteers on the day with those interested able to contact the Generations in Jazz office.
The event will be held next to The Barn on May 3 until May 6.
