If you play brass or percussion (or would like to learn!) please visit our band room ​on a Tuesday or Wednesday night, or contact us via email, phone or Facebook.

Everyone is welcome at Marist Brass!

Brass Builders

Tuesdays 5:30-6:15pm

This class builds on what ​students have learnt in the ​Adventures program.

Students work on performance ​skills and gaining experience ​performing on stage.

Students in this class are ​encouraged to also attend the ​Adventures class to mentor and ​support the newer students.

Brass Class

Tuesdays 6:30-7:30pm

Designed exclusively for adults, ​this group is open to over 18s ​only.

It is perfect for anyone who has ​taken a break from music and ​wants to ease back into music. ​It is also perfect for those who ​are in the 'Senior Band’ but ​want some additional support.

No-one is 'too old'!

Marist Brass Band is our 'Senior ​Band', and competes at a 'D' ​Grade level at local, state and ​national competitions.

A good understanding of music ​is required, and familiarity with ​your instrument is a must!

The 'Senior Band' is open to ​adults of all ages, and those ​aged 13-18 upon invitation.

Our Academy groups are designed to get you performing right from the start!

Rehearsing weekly, each group aims to perform in public at least 3-4 times a ​year. Performance opportunities include playing at the Bendigo Eisteddfod, the ​Marist Brass Carols, local parades, and other community events.

Academy students are also encouraged to perform individually

throughout the year. Opportunities can include busking at the

Eaglehawk Dahlia & Arts Festival, performing a solo at a competition or

public performance, sitting an Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) ​exam and much more! At times, Academy members are also given ​opportunities to play with the 'Senior Band' and sit alongside experienced ​musicians to further their musical education.

The cost is just $50 per school term, per student,

which covers instrument hire, music, and tuition.

Claire grew up in the regional town of Taradale, and began taking piano lessons when she was just 7 years old. She took up the ​French Horn at 11, and over the next few years played with many school and community groups. Claire was also a member of ​the Australian Youth Choir for several years, a highlight being performing at Hamer Hall with the Vienna Boys Choir in 2003.

In 2006, Claire moved to Melbourne where she studied economics, mathematics and financial planning. Claire joined the ​Bendigo & District Concert Band and the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra after relocating to Bendigo in 2011. In 2013, she joined ​Marist Brass, and helped to establish the Marist Academy of Brass.

From 2015 through to 2020, Claire was Principal French Horn with the Victorian Youth Symphony Orchestra where she had the ​honour of playing Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony, which contains one of the greatest horn solos in orchestral horn repertoire. ​Claire plays with a variety of ensembles in Bendigo, including the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra and the Bendigo & District ​Concert Band, and has been in the orchestra for numerous musicals staged by Bendigo's Nexus Youth Theatre Company, the ​Bendigo Theatre Company, and Tribe Youth Theatre. Currently, Claire is a member of Marist Brass, Melbourne Symphonic ​Winds Orchestra, and Glenferrie Brass Band (Melbourne).

During the day, Claire works for a financial planning practice in Bendigo, and by night she teaches music privately to individual ​students. Claire has been secretary of Marist Brass since 2015, and plays Solo Tenor Horn in the Marist Brass Band.

Colin started his musical journey at the Eaglehawk Citizens Brass Band on cornet and was an inaugural member of the ​Bendigo Colleges Symphonic Band. Whilst at Eaglehawk, Colin started conducting, establishing the bands Junior Band ​with great support of the bands legendary cornet maestro Peirce Grenfell.

Colin then undertook successful conducting stints at both Bendigo and District Concert Band and Maryborough Citizens ​Brass picking up National, Victorian and South Australian State titles along the way.

After many enjoyable years at Eaglehawk Citizens as both a player and conductor, Colin moved to Greater Bendigo Brass ​first as a player and then as assistant conductor to the legendary horn virtuoso Doug Trottman OAM.

Over the years Colin has been fortunate to be able to fill in as Conductor at several brass bands and in recent years has ​played EEb bass with Geelong West Brass Band.

Colin is currently employed by Catholic Education Sandhurst in the Capital Planning and Infrastructure team.

Colin will commence his role with Marist Brass from January 2024, and the band is looking forward to a great year of ​community banding

When: Saturday 14th September

Time: 12 noon - 1pm

Where: Bendigo Library, Hargreaves St

Cost: FREE

More info here!

When: Sunday 10th November

Time: 2pm

Where: Maiden Gully Hall

Cost: FREE

More info coming soon!

Donate

We accept donations no matter how large ​or small, and tax-deductible donations can ​be arranged. All donations go straight to ​the band, and are used to purchase new ​music, repair and purchase instruments ​and much more.

Did you know that the instruments in our ​band can cost up to $25,000 each?

Help us purchase new instruments for our ​youth program, and donate today!

In-kind support

From raffle prizes, performance venues hto ​handy-man jobs – we’re always looking for ​in-kind support!

In bigger news, our band room is in ​desperate need of a renovation, and our ​band trailer needs painting and outfitting ​so we can visit the wider community.

If you can help us out, we’d love to return ​the favour by promoting your business!

Volunteers

As a small community group with ​limited resources, we are always on the ​lookout for volunteers to assist with ​things such as running raffles or selling ​tickets at our concerts.

We always need extra hands to help out ​with logistics on ‘gig days’, so even if ​you can’t make an ongoing ​commitment, we’d still love your ​support!

Member Information Pack