BATHURST’S Anzac Day parade will look different to previous years when it gets underway on April 25.
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The Bathurst City and RSL Concert Band has been training up 64 young citizens to form a marching band at the start of the parade.
Director of the band, Wendy Jenkins, said it was RSL Sub Branch president, David Mills, who suggested a youth marching band be formed.
An invitation was issued to all the city’s schools to get young musicians involved and it was Eglinton Public School and All Saints College that answered the call.
The students range from Years 4 to 12.
Ms Jenkins said they are great musicians and are slowly learning to play and march at the same time.
She said there are several benefits that will come from these children participating, including confidence.
“It is something totally different and the more they do, the better they get at it, and the little kids playing with the big kids, it just builds their confidence,” she said.
Their involvement will also ensure the sacrifice of soldiers is not forgotten.
“They are the future of the Anzac marches, so I’ve told them about the wars they didn’t know about and how important [Anzac Day] is to the veterans and that the men and women are both excited to see a student band,” Ms Jenkins said.