Getting into the festive spirit

"It's a joy to play with the Brindabella Orchestra, it's community-based and there quite a lot of senior people in it. There's a lot of talent and great sounds," Mr Crampton said.

"Our conductor can coax the most majestic, powerful sounds or something soft and beautiful."

Mr Crampton and his fellow musicians will fill the Queanbeyan Uniting Church with their wonderful sounds on Sunday, November 24.

They will play a selection of songs to go with the theme of "Holiday Cheer" to celebrate the upcoming festivities.

Christmas favourites like Sleigh Ride and In Dulci Jubilo will be on the programme. Other pieces include Rossini's Barber of Seville, the first movement of Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony, Sibelius's Finlandia, Jamaican Rumba and selections from My Fair Lady.

Brindabella Orchestra manager and assistant conductor Salli Chmura said Mr Crampton was a welcome addition to the group particularly in the brass section.

"Dick's expertise has added much-needed depth and colour to the sound of the Orchestra. In fact the Orchestra wishes they had two more trombone players to make up the full complement for this section," she said.

"Dick is also a real character who keeps members of the Orchestra entertained with his tales of his musical endeavours, and his easy-going attitude towards playing music as an octogenarian is an inspiration to all of us."

Mr Crampton, has been playing trombone since he was nine-years-old. He said the most important thing for a musician to do is practice and for him that means every day.

"All brass musicians must play every day, the muscle tone within the rum of the mouthpiece must remain agile. You need to make high sounds, loud sounds, sweet sounds and soft sounds. You have to practise every day or else you'll lose it."

The Brindabella Orchestra presents "Holiday Cheer" at the Queanbeyan Uniting Church on Sunday, November 24 from 2pm. Entry by way of gold coin or small note donation.