The interactive, community-based festival will feature a packed program aimed at engaging and entertaining music lovers and musicians alike.
And for the first time, the muster will play host to a number of pop-up concerts to be held at Echuca’s Hopwood Gardens and the Gargarro Botanic Garden in Girgarre.
Muster director Jan Smith said the organising team was excited to add new aspects of the five-day event.
“The whole vibe of our muster is that everyone has a place and can fit in, no matter what their age or ability,” Ms Smith said.
“Everyone coming together with music after the trials of the floods is going to be such a relief and such a joy.”
Highlights over the five days include an opening night with a free rollicking bush dance, free public evening concerts on Friday and Saturday with leading bands, several open mic opportunities, more than 30 workshops and jam sessions and a lively gospel sing-along.
Workshops are expected to include banjo, mandolin, fiddle bowing technique, guitar picking, autoharp, bodhrán (Irish drum), playing by ear, tin whistle, singing, writing Australian poetry, adding music to lyrics and jazz rhythm.
Girgarre’s much-loved Jigarre Jammin’ will be running, with lyrics and chords conveniently displayed on a communal screen.
Musos will be animated by the broad range of genres including bluegrass, folk, blues, jazz, country and pop to Celtic and Aussie bush songs, gospel and contemporary music.
And if you don’t know how to play, you can sing along or borrow one of the muster’s collection of instruments at no cost and enrol in a beginners’ class.
The Girgarre Moosic Muster will be held from January 4 to 8.
The band NQR, led by acclaimed musician and instrument maker Dave Aumann, will play at the Hopwood Gardens from 11am on Friday, January 6.
The remainder of the muster will be held across various locations in Girgarre, including the Girgarre Memorial Hall, Girgarre Community Market and the Gargarro Botanic Garden.
On-site camping will be available in town and there will be free admission for children under 12.
For further information about venue locations, accommodation, meals or tickets, visit: events.humanitix.com/girgarre-moosic-muster-2023
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