Canberra City band are one of those who will play across the city on Remembrance Day. Photo: Peter Hislop, Facebook.
After four years of commemoration, we’ll reach the end of the World War I centenary journey on Remembrance Day this Sunday (11 November). A time of profound significance, it marks the official moment when the War to end all Wars – as people then believed it was – came to an end.
Here in the nation’s capital, there is, of course, the National Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial, starting at 10:30 am. There will also be the Last Post Ceremony at 4:55 pm.
Many Canberrans will not be able to be present at the Australian War Memorial. But this year there will also be 12 musical performances by local bands right across the city. Each performance will be preceded by the Last Post, a minute’s silence at 11 am and then the rouse. The bands will then play between 30 and 45 minutes of music, giving all Canberrans the chance to be involved in this commemoration.
The community and school bands have chosen repertoires for Sunday that reflect the WWI era capturing both the solemnity of the occasion and also the sense of joy that comes from living in this city here and now.
“Every year since then people around the world have paused to remember those involved in that war, and in the far too many wars that have followed. Traditionally we stop for a minute’s silence at 11 am on 11th November,” Minister for Seniors and Veterans and Minister for Arts and Cultural Events Gordon Ramsay said.
“Centenaries provide a special, symbolic moment. They invite additional reflection on the meaning of the event; they invite us to consider what is next. This Centenary of Armistice is certainly no exception. What has occurred, what has taken us into places of conflict, what has been the cost, what are the marks and signs of a society and a nation which understands and lives in peace?”
Mr Ramsay said that each of the Canberra bands is contributing their time and their talent at no charge. “It is yet another demonstration of the generosity of our musicians and our arts sector as well as the generosity that is invoked by Remembrance Day.
“Please take the time to stop and remember this Sunday. Please take the time to consider the cost to so many people, in so many ways. Please take the time to consider what true peace can and does look like. And please take the time to celebrate this city of ours.”
List of bands and locations:
Amaroo School – Yerrabi Ponds;
Daramalan College- Dickson restaurant precinct;
Canberra High School – Belconnen Markets;
Canberra Grammar School – Haig Park (Top of Lonsdale);
Ginninderra Wind Orchestra – Garema Place;
Canberra City Band – National Arboretum;
Music For Canberra – Woden Square;
Tuggeranong Valley Band – Lanyon Marketplace;
Young Music Society- Tuggeranong Town Park;
TraXion Big Band – Old Bus Depot Markets;
In Full Swing- Gungahlin Town Centre;
Lyneham High School (Playing with GWO) – Garema Place;
Weston Winds – Uni of Canberra Hospital.
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