WITH the 37th annual Esperance Music Festival starting this week, Esperance residents of all ages are practising piano, tuning their guitars and warming up their vocal chords to participate in the prestigious event.

The music festival takes place at the Civic Centre over three days, starting this Thursday, August 21, and running through until Saturday night, with a variety of classical and contemporary performances over the course of the event – ranging from piano pieces, percussion performances, voluminous vocals, contesting choirs and battling bands.

For one Esperance family, the Durdins, competing in the Esperance Music Festival has become a family tradition, with six children across two families competing in the music festival.

Jesse, Carrie, Alexis, Rachel, Tenielle and Louise Durdin have a combined 44 years of music lessons between them, and will be competing across a variety of categories.

The six will all perform piano, and have been coached by the same tutor, Sharyn Pratt.

According to Carrie, the passion for music runs in the family, dating back to their great-grandparents who competed in previous years.

“I really enjoy playing music, and it’s a family tradition,” she said.

“My great-grandparents performed in the Esperance Music Festival, and my grandparents are still involved as part of the brass band.”

For Jesse, being involved with the Esperance Music Festival isn’t just a great way to showcase his talent, but also to improve on a skill he hopes will stay with him throughout the rest of his life.

“You can’t really still play sport when your 80, but I’ll still be able to play piano,” he said.

The children practice five days a week, and while at times the exercise can seem pointless and frustrating, it is all worth it at the end.

“When you walk up on stage and accept a certificate that you’ve earned, it makes you feel really proud,” Carrie said.

Sponsored by the Esperance Port Authority, tickets are available at the door.