Ipswich gathers 600 trombones for Guinness record bid
The Queensland city staged a giant trombone ensemble at its arts festival and is waiting on Guinness World Records to verify the attempt.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
More than 600 trombone players packed into Ipswich, Queensland, for a brassy swing at a Guinness World Records title, according to UPI and Ipswich City Council.
The city hosted the record attempt during the SPARK Ipswich Arts Festival, bringing together players for a mass performance of “76 Trombones” from The Music Man, UPI reported.
The ensemble included musicians from schools, bands and orchestras from across Queensland and beyond, according to the city’s account of the event. Ipswich City Big Band music director Matt Chambers organized the attempt.
A photo released by Ipswich City Council showed Chambers and Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding leading the crowd of trombonists in Tulmur Place, UPI reported.
The bid is not official yet. Harding said evidence from the performance is being sent to Guinness World Records for review, according to UPI.
Harding said the sight of hundreds of musicians of different skill levels gathering in Tulmur Place was an achievement for participants, volunteers and supporters, UPI reported. She also said the event was meant to highlight music, local talent and shared cultural experiences in Ipswich.
Guinness World Records lists the current largest trombone ensemble at 368 players. That mark was set in Washington, D.C., in 2012, according to Guinness.
If verified, Ipswich’s attempt would clear that number by a wide margin. For now, the city’s big horn moment sits with Guinness adjudicators, who will decide whether the performance meets the record-keeping rules.
What happened
- Ipswich, Queensland, hosted a largest trombone ensemble record attempt during the SPARK Ipswich Arts Festival.
- More than 600 trombonists took part, according to UPI.
- The group performed “76 Trombones” from The Music Man.
- Matt Chambers, music director of the Ipswich City Big Band, organized the attempt.
- Evidence has been submitted to Guinness World Records for official verification, according to Mayor Teresa Harding.
This story draws on original reporting from UPI.