Two bands in competition

Umina Public School participated in the Hunter Central Coast Bandfest competition in Warner's Bay on October 21.

Two bands from the Peninsula primary school joined 41 other concert and jazz bands from around the Hunter and Central Coast region to compete in the event.

More than 44 students from Umina Public School took part.

"Bandfest has been a positive experience for both Umina Public School bands," school teacher Ms Colleen White said.

"This was Umina's first time at Bandfest and first entry into a competition of this nature.

"The children were very excited to be performing.

"We looked great in our band uniforms and all students did an amazing job.

"At the end of each section our bands were evaluated by a band expert.

"They were then given feedback and a rank for their performance.

"Our concert band was the first to perform they played songs such as Star Wars and The March of the Munchkin Mice.

"The category that our concert band was in was very competitive.

"We received fantastic feedback and were awarded a highly commended trophy and certificate."

Ms White said both band's showed great effort and enthusiasm.

"The training band was next to perform and played songs such as Kookaburra and Anvil's Chorus," Ms White said.

"All of the students did a fantastic job and enjoyed the experience.

"We received positive feedback and were commended with a trophy and certificate.

"The experience will be used to make Umina's band program bigger and stronger in the future."

Bandfest was held by the Department of Education and Training at the Lake Macquarie Cultural Centre at Warner's Bay.

The event gave local students from primary and secondary schools the opportunity to show off their talents.

Email, 5 Nov 2008 Colleen White, Umina Public School