CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
About Us
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
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.
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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!
Our Musical Heritage
With a focus on bringing contemporary and traditional brass band music to old and new audiences, the Marananga Brass Band respects its origins within the musical heritage of the Barossa Valley.
Also in keeping with the Band's historical practice, we strive to nurture and support young musicians as they develop their skills.
The future of the Band is literally in their hands.
Join the Band
Are you passionate about music and community engagement? Join the Marananga Brass Band and embrace the heritage of the Barossa Valley.
Whether you're a musician or a music enthusiast, there are many ways for you to get involved and support the
band's commitment to musical excellence
and community togetherness.
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Join us at rehearsal each Tuesday 7:30pm
(school holidays excepted) or get in touch.
Book our Band for your event!
The Marananga Brass Band provides high-quality musical entertainment ranging from Christmas carols on an oval to background support for community events.