Porirua City Brass is preparing to compete in the Australian National Brass Band Championships in Canberra next year, with a November concert helping fund the journey.
The band will perform Last Night of the Proms at Elim Christian Centre on Saturday 21 November, giving local supporters a chance to help its musicians represent Porirua on the international stage.
The trip marks a new chapter for a community band founded in 1970, during Porirua’s early years as a city.
Since then, its bandroom has brought together young musicians and players whose involvement stretches back decades. Some founding members still contribute, while musicians associated with the band have included jazz great Rodger Fox and members of the National Band of New Zealand.
Porirua City Brass won its first national contest in D Grade before progressing to B Grade, where it continues to compete.
Before that journey, the Proms concert will offer an evening of British favourites, singalongs and the 1812 Overture, with two young musicians from Virtuoso Strings Charitable Trust also performing a piano and violin duet.
Audience members will receive complimentary Proms packs and can join in with flag-waving and singing, or simply listen to the performances. The programme is aimed at all ages, including people coming to hear the band for the first time.
The concert begins at 7pm at Elim Christian Centre, 11 Heriot Drive. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors, with proceeds helping the band’s 2027 Canberra trip.
Tickets are available through Humanitix.
