The Daylesford Community Brass Band’s ‘Light & Shade’ concert this Friday (October 2) will debut an instrument that was discovered during the renovations of the band room in 2024.
Found in a box under a stage was a set of Deagan Song Bells, a rare and unique instrument manufactured more than 100 years ago. A precursor of the modern vibraphone, and similar in appearance to a glockenspiel or xylophone, song bells were only manufactured between 1918 and 1924. How this song bell came to be in the possession of the Band is still being researched, but current thinking is that it was donated to the Band in the late 1960s, along with other instruments.
Despite being over 100 years old the song bell was in reasonable condition, although not playable. Recognising the significance of the instrument, the Band sought professional advice before a sympathetic restoration of the song bells was undertaken by Legato Australia (a Melbourne based company) to bring them back to playing condition.
The concert this Friday night will be the first public performance of the refurbished song bells. A tapestry of ever-changing moods and genres, music performed at this concert will range from the grandeur of Sibellius’ ‘Finlandia’ to the exuberant fun of ‘Fascinating Drums’, with a number of soloists and sections from across the band featured, as well as the item featuring the Deagan Song Bells.
The concert commences at 7.30pm in St Peter’s Catholic Church Daylesford. Admission is $20 per person ($10 concession). Tickets are available from TryBooking (https://www.trybooking.com/DPDRL) or can be purchased at the door on the night.
This is a unique opportunity to hear a forgotten instrument that has been brought back to life – members of the Daylesford Community Brass Band hope to see you there.
If you would like further information, either on our Song Bell or on our upcoming concert, follow us on FaceBook or email us at info@daylesfordbrass.org.au.
Article written by Shani Clark, Andrew Irvine and Rebecca Caithness
