WHILE South Gippsland Shire Brass Band has built its numbers since the pandemic, they haven’t bounced back to pre-COVID levels, with interested community members encouraged to join regardless of their level of experience, including those who have never played an instrument.

The band’s vice president Nigel Hutchinson-Brooks said it numbered about 20 active members before COVID, dipping to around half that and now has 14 or 15 active members.

Nigel said bands across Australia continue to experience the ramifications of the pandemic, with two A grade Melbourne bands recently having to amalgamate due to lack of numbers.

South Gippsland Shire Brass Band has an even mix of male and female performers and a wide range of ages from 14 through to 85.

For those nervous about starting out playing a brass instrument, there are already three people learning to play with the band.

Nigel said beginners quickly become part of the group and are not left on the periphery.

“We get them up to a level where they can play some of the simple pieces with the band as soon as possible, because the sooner you get playing with other people the quicker you learn,” he said.

“We provide free tuition and free instruments for those people,” Nigel said of those starting out on their brass instrument journey.

As well as participant numbers, the pandemic has also had a negative financial impact on South Gippsland Shire Brass Band due to the lack of opportunity to perform.

The band receives payment for some of its gigs, helping fund expenses such as the purchase and maintenance of instruments and the cost of music and uniforms.

South Gippsland Shire Brass Band rehearses on Wednesday nights from 7.30pm until 9pm at the Leongatha Courthouse.

Anyone keen to join or wanting to know more about being part of the band is encouraged to attend rehearsal or call Nigel on 0419 355 303 or Darryl Hunt on 0407 444 210.

South Gippsland Shire Brass Band next performs at a citizenship ceremony at Leongatha Memorial Hall on Wednesday June 28.