CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
WELCOME TO THE MARANANGA BRASS BAND
South Australian Band Association
BAND OF THE YEAR 2024
Thanks to the generous support of Foundation Barossa and the Peter Lehmann Arts and Education Trust we were able to bring this website and digital archive to life!
The earliest known photograph of the Marananga Brass Band c.1925
L-R Wally Fritsche, cornet; Alf Schubert, tenor horn; Bert Wilksch, cornet (instrument hidden); Erwin Kraehe, baritone; Herb Lange (squatting), bass;
Harold Wilksch, tenor horn; Arthur Roennfeldt, tenor horn; Carl Roennfeldt, trombone; and dog
ABOUT US
Marananga, formerly Gnadenfrei, a small village on Seppeltsfield Road in the Barossa Valley, was settled from the 1840's by immigrants from what is modern-day Germany. The settlers brought with them their love of music and their instruments.
The Gnadenfrei Brass Band was established in 1907 but went into recess in 1915 due to WW1 and in 1918, the locale of Gnadenfrei was renamed Marananga in line with the SA Nomenclature Act 1917.
At a meeting chaired by Mr August Heinze in the Gnadenfrei Church Hall on 22 October 1924 it was decided to re-establish a band to be known as the Marananga Brass Band.
The old instruments were recovered from the cellar where they had been stored for nine years. A shot of steam from the boiler at Seppeltsfield blasted out the dirt and exposed any holes for repair.
The Marananga Brass Band was launched and has been enriching the community with brass band music for 100 years!
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Our commitment lies in spreading the magic of brass band music to the local community and visitors. With a focus on bringing contemporary and traditional music to old and new audiences, the Marananga Brass Band pays homage to the musical heritage of the Barossa Valley.
Enjoyment of this heritage can be found at our annual Night of Music concerts with
singing along and schunkeling between the more contemporary musical offerings.
We strive to nurture and support young musicians as they develop their skills.
The future of the Band is literally in their hands.
