Tarantara! Tarantara! The Open Bands sections of the Australian National Eisteddfod is coming up.

Eleven concert and brass bands will take the stage at Llewellyn Hall to perform works they’ve been rehearsing for the past few months—and it’s not just the old-time numbers.

Groups include Canberra City Band and its John Agnew Band, Ginninderra Wind Orchestra, three brass bands from Canberra Brass, Tuggeranong Valley Concert Band, South Canberra Youth Wind Orchestra, and school and community groups from the Hunter Valley.

The Open A Grade Concert and Brass Bands sections feature Canberra City Band, conducted by Greg Stenning performing “Of Sailors and Whales” by Francis McBeth, Ginninderra Wind Orchestra conducted by Debbie Masling is playing “Angels in the Architecture”, a work by Frank Ticheli that was inspired by Sydney Opera House and Canberra Brass, conducted by Kevin Knapp is performing “The New Colonial March” by R.B. Hall and “Penlee” by Simon Dobson.

The evening will conclude with comments by a specialist adjudicator and ACT Arts Minister Gordon Ramsay will present the awards.

The Bands and Orchestras heats run from this Thursday 25 May to Thursday June 1 and members of the public are welcome. A detailed timetable and tickets are available from nationaleisteddfod.org.au

Open Bands sections of the Australian National Eisteddfod, Llewellyn Hall, 5.30-10pm, Friday, May 26, bookings and all program details at nationaleisteddfod.org.au or tickets at the door.