Big Band to celebrate 21st Birthday

Toowoomba's Empire Theatre will be brimming with old favourites and exciting new charts, when the Ergon Energy Big Band celebrates its 21st Birthday in style.

USQ graduate and popular songstress, Sophie Martin, will return for a special appearance as vocalist with the Band. Sophie will wow audiences with beautiful old standards including L-O-V-E, Blue Skies, Georgia and the ever popular Big Spender.

Big Band Musical Director, Martin Crook, says the band was formed by USQ Oboe and Ensemble Lecturer, Michael Byrne, as part of the Alumni.

'Michael originally came here from the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, where he was a principal corangliis player.

'He formed the Big Band when he first arrived in 1985 and since then it's gone from strength to strength,' said Martin.

In terms of numbers, the band has grown in size from 10 to 22.

'The beauty of the band is that it is drawn from many places.

'At the University we have a number of musicians who are studying or teaching other courses, like engineering or nursing, and they are involved.

'We have high school students and Dr Andrew Maxwell, who is a cheese maker and a Lecturer at USQ.

'We also have a real estate agent and ex-students, who have returned to support the band.'

Despite their diverse schedules, the band regularly comes together to perform and conduct workshops for primary and high school students across the state.

'Ergon Energy sponsors us, which enables us to hire coaches and visiting artists, who perform with the band. We can also purchase new repertoire.

'We have played at Kingfisher Resort in Maryborough, in Bundaberg and we perform at the USQ Wide Bay Campus Open Day each year in Hervey Bay.

'Our main role, besides giving concerts, is to produce workshop experience for younger musicians, whereby our students play their ensembles and vice-versa.'

With this level of commitment there is no doubt the Big Band will be belting out some big notes for the next 21 years. Happy Birthday!

When – Saturday 27 May, 7:30pm
Where – Empire Theatre Toowoomba, 1300 655 299
Cost - $20.50 Adult, $16.50 Concession, $5.50 Child

Media Contact: Amy Cass, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2092 or +61 412 097 326