The band is taking a three-week tour of Europe in September, including performances in Munich, Ypres and at the iconic Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Jamie has played the tenor horn in the Bega District Band for just over a year, having joined with his mother and baritone horn player, Christina Barnes, who is also taking part in the tour.

They will be joined by Bega Brass Band member Peter Hillary on tuba and treasurer Dave Moore on uphonium. 

The Bega musicians were invited to join about 30 other members of the Canberra Brass Band on the tour. 

Although the initial invitation was only extended to Ms Barnes, special consideration was given to Jamie to join the tour with his mother. 

Ms Barnes home-schools her son and hopes the tour will provide Jamie with an immersive music and history experience.

As their tour coincides with the ANZAC centenary, the band will visit sites of the Western Front and take part in ceremonies at Mont St Quentin and Peronne to mark 100 years since their liberation and the battle that hastened the end of WWI. 

It is fitting occassion for Ms Barnes, an ex Army soldier and musician who served 5 years with the Royal Military College Band, Duntroon, and Australian Army Band in Brisbane.

The group will take part in a ceremony at the Australian Memorial and the new Sir John Monash Centre at Villers-Bretonneux, France and perform at the European Brass and Wind Band Festival in Bad Schlema, Germany.

Limited by a tight financial situation, Ms Barnes has been reaching out for help to make an otherwise impossible journey a reality. 

“I have spent the past several months applying to organisations in the hope that Jamie and I can find sponsorship and grants that will help us to pay for our trip to Europe,” she said.

“So far, Jamie's trip has been completely paid for by the generosity of Sapphire Coast Music Society, Variety Hearts Scholarships and Artists for Kids Culture.”

Part of Ms Barnes travel costs have already been covered by the Bega RSL sub-branch. She will continue to raise money for the journey in the lead up to their departure date as Jamie is only able to go if she can too. 

Ms Barnes believes that although only four Bega musicians are going overseas, the Europe tour is something that will benefit the whole community. 

“Seeing myself, Jamie, Dave and Peter travel overseas while playing music will allow other members of the community to see the opportunities and possibilities that are available to them as well,” she said. 

“We hope to encourage more of our community to take up a musical instrument and to play with our band.”