By JESSE GRAHAM
MUSICIANS FROM the Yarra Valley and the hills are being asked to grab their best instrument and take part in a Healesville String Band.
Organised by the Yarra Valley Musicians Collective, the Healesville String Band will be a mix of musicians from around the area, playing country, folk and blues music.
The group is meeting tonight (Tuesday 3 February) from 7.15pm-9pm at Healesville’s Memo Hall, and will meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Band member and part of Yarra Ranges musical duo The Hannafords, Auriol Hannaford encouraged anyone interested in joining up to come to a meeting.
“You don’t have to be a really great musician, as long as you’re interested and have a stringed instrument,” Ms Hannaford said.
“It’s really there for you to participate.
“It’ll be a bit of traditional stuff, more like folky or roots music and country, and hopefully we will be able to develop something that’s really Healesville as well.”
Ms Hannaford said the first aim of the String Band would be to perform in November’s Healesville Music Festival, and to continue playing at events around the Yarra Valley and Dandenongs after that.
The band has received a Yarra Ranges Council grant of $4500, which Ms Hannaford said would go towards establishing a musical director to lead the band.
For more information, visit www.healesvillemusicfestival.com or phone Auriol Hannaford on 0427 270 547.
Entry to the String Band meetings is a gold coin donation per rehearsal.
