Townsville HHS staff hit the right notes ahead of nationals

Four Townsville Hospital and Health Service staff members are looking to kick some brass when they compete at the Australian National Band Championship in Brisbane next week.

 Charters Towers Health Service director of nursing Katrina Ford, director legal services Jen Grant, senior biomedical technician Martin Cervellin, and pharmacist advanced centralised services Kym Hosking will join more than 60 other north Queensland musicians to face off against 68 brass bands from across the country at the national competition.

 Ms Ford said the group has spent the last six months preparing for the championships.

 “Preparing ourselves for this has been a real challenge, requiring us to balance our work and home life with the need to get in plenty of practice and rehearsals together,” Ms Ford said.

 “It’s been exciting being able to stretch myself and really perfect a few pieces of music.

 “It’s about getting the muscle memory in place and knowing the pieces so well that you know exactly where you’re coming in, where the dynamics are, and where the expression is.”

 Ms Grant said the band had to perform a set piece, a hymn, a march, and an "own choice" piece, with judges scoring on technical performance and overall sound.

 “The band has been practising a couple of times a week together for the last few months, and we are ready to take on some of the country’s best brass bands,” Ms Grant said.

 “It’s been great spending time with other like-minded people who really appreciate the beauty of music.

 “We’ve had some great musicians within the band supporting the band to learn and grow.

“I think we’ll do well; we’ve really come together and nailed something.”

 The Australian National Band Championships run over three days, beginning on Good Friday, and include a marching section alongside the auditorium performances.

 The performance will be livestreamed here.