Members of the Bunbury City band are rallying together to raise funds for the group’s first ever overseas trip.
The band is heading to Vietnam for performances in Ho Chi Minh City and Bunbury’s friendship city, Nha Trang, in late September.
Their nine-day adventure will send band members, aged between 13 and 30, and a handful of parents on the journey.
Before the trip, they will be holding fund raising events once a month around the city with the aim to raise at least $50,000 to send 26 people.
City Band percussionist Nathan Wheals came up with the idea after the City of Bunbury council announced its plan to send a delegation to Nha Trang and Japanese sister city Setagaya later this year.
The trip will mark the group’s first international performance in its 115-year history.
Mr Wheals said the group was excited to represent their home town on the world stage.
“It’s something different for the band, everyone sees us play at a lot of civic events – Australia Day, Anzac Day etc. – so to start doing other bits and pieces is pretty cool,” he said.
Band secretary Sue Vietch said the group was excited to display their talents in other parts of the globe.
“It’s about the experience of going away as a group,” she said.
“It’s about seeing a different culture, seeing something completely different and playing for people that normally don’t hear that sort of music.”
