In 2013 a group of Central Highlands music teachers saw a need to provide local musicians, school students and the wider community with a more diverse concert experience than that currently available. The idea was to provide an opportunity for school students and members of the local town band with an opportunity to experience quality live performances by players of their instruments and a concert experience that builds on the diversity of musical experiences in the local community. These local educators also saw the potential benefits for members of various schools and community groups to collaborate and create an experience that was of a higher standard than what could be achieved individually. In 2014 a collaboration between BoB – Best of Brass, local schools and the Emerald Town Band led to five school performances, a series of community wind band workshops and concluded with a community concert. On the back of positive community feedback from the initial event the aim became to bring a different chamber ensemble to the community each year. This has included brass, vocal, percussion and woodwind ensembles. From its original beginnings it has grown to include 15 school performances annually, has expanded to include both band and choral community workshops with over 200 musicians and singers participating in the community workshops.

With ongoing support from the local community, businesses and the Queensland Government, we thrive in our endeavour to make and bring high quality music to the Central Highlands, and are looking forward to many more events in the future!

James Raschle
President, Central Highlands Music Festival Inc