"Anyone know any local musicians?" was the question posted on a local Facebook page.
That post led to our Waitakere Auckland Brass quintet performing at the official celebration for the re-opening of the Mount Albert town centre. The event held in May was to celebrate a significant revamp of the area making the town centre more pedestrian and cyclist friendly.
The event was well attended by local politicians including the Mayor of Auckland, Phil Goff, and the Albert-Eden Local Board members who were responsible for driving the project.
Also in attendance was one of the band's newly-elected patrons who has several other roles including MP for Mount Albert, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, and, of course, Prime Minister, the lovely Jacinda Ardern.
As you would expect for someone so important, Jacinda didn't have much time to stand around and chat but we were able to squeeze in a quick photo opportunity and an invitation to our next concert!