Band at state championships

Warragul Municipal Band will be represented at the 2026 State Band Championships this Sunday in Melbourne.

This will be the first time in 15 years the band has attended the championships.
Preparations are well underway and the community is invited to be part of the journey at a special evening showcasing the band's music, rehearsal process, and future plans to be held tonight in Warragul.
"We're holding an open rehearsal concert to provide audiences with a unique behind the-scenes experience," said newly appointed musical director Cameron Sanders.
"It's an all-in-one opportunity to come and experience your community brass band – hear a live performance, see how a competition ensemble rehearses, meet members of the band, and discover the opportunities available through Warragul Municipal Band's education program."
Under the direction of Mr Sanders, the Warragul Municipal Band has welcomed a handful of new musicians in recent months. With those newly inducted being a great asset to the band's overall ability, the championships campaign represents an exciting new chapter for the organisation as it continues to build on its 140-plus year history.
The annual state championships bring together bands to compete across multiple grades, with performances assessed by expert adjudicators. Warragul Municipal Band will compete in the D-Grade against nine other brass bands.
The open rehearsal will be held at the Salvation Army Hall, Warragul tonight at 6:30pm with a come and try brass and percussion experience, where visitors can learn more about the band, observe the rehearsal process, ask questions, and try a range of brass and percussion instruments. The evening will continue with a free concert at 7:30pm.