Trumpet triumph at show

Shaun Inguanzo
THE stage was alive with the sound of Hills music after young musicians enthralled a captive audience at the Royal Melbourne Show last weekend.
Following the lukewarm reception of an Elvis impersonator, plus blustery conditions, young people aged between 16 and 21 from areas such as Ferntree Gully, Upwey, Olinda and Menzies Creek set the stage alight as part of the Inschools Music Centre Stage Big Band.
A collection of brass and wind instruments accompanied with strong vocals entertained showgoers from all over Victoria.
Band conductor and Inschools Music musical director Andrew McAlister said the band “went off”, particularly with its ABBA cover songs.
“We did five sets, people loved it.
“Apparently the ABBA songs went off; there were girls (from the crowd) dressed up in devil outfits who started dancing and moving around to the music.”
The band was led by singers Alice Woodberry, from Upwey, and Jacqui Hocking, from Olinda.
Mr McAlister said Inschools Music offered music tuition in local primary schools throughout the Dandenong Ranges, and that the Big Band was compiled from former students as long as 12 years ago.
Mr McAlister said the group’s next big performance was at the BMW Edge room in Federation Square, Melbourne, 28 September.
“We have got four high school big bands playing in a concert for parents and the general public and have formed a general primary school big band for the day. It will be jazz from the Hills, for the city.”