To commemorate 130 years of musicianship and banding in the town, the Warracknabeal and District Band will be joined by the renowned Hawthorn Band to perform a concert at the Warracknabeal Town Hall on the evening of the 25th of June.

Musical Director of the Warracknabeal and District Band, Jason Wright said "We are most excited to have secured such an internationally recognised band to come up and play with us and put on a concert of their own that will coincide with the Warrack Band's 130th Birthday Celebrations.

"I would be surprised if a band of this calibre has played in town before, it'll be a wonderful showcase and we're very thankful to Hawthorn Brass Band for helping to make this weekend possible."

President of Warracknabeal and District Band, Colin Newell, added "We've booked both levels at the Warracknabeal Town Hall and eagerly await the evening concert on the 25th of June"

The Hawthorn Brass Band will be in Warracknabeal on the Saturday morning and their section leaders will be running joint workshops with members from both Bands on the selected mass bands pieces.

The concert will consist of Warracknabeal and District Band putting on a thirty minute set followed by a set played by Hawthorn Brass Band which will feature pieces with Australian and Internationally renowned soloists. The performance will conclude with a mass band experience featuring both bands and members from other local bands wishing to join in this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Refreshments will be available after the concert to further celebrate the Warracknabeal and District Band turning 130.

Hawthorn Brass Band has won 15 National titles in the last 40 years, as well as a string of Victorian and Regional titles. They have also been labelled as Australian most recognisable Brass Band on a recent trip to America.

Their Musical Director, Wayne Bowden, a former Warracknabealian who started his musical career with the Warracknabeal and District Band, formally Warracknabeal and District Brass Band, is a highly decorated soloist and was the International Soloist of the year at the Ern Keller Memorial Competition in 1991.

Bowden was also the winner of 8 Champion of Champions in a single 12 month period and has been the Australian National Champion 11 times.

Any members of other Wimmera bands who would like to join in the mass band experience are requested to contact Music Director Jason Wright for more information on 0432 176 502.