Anzac Day: Canberra musicians perform Last Post from driveways

And while coronavirus restrictions have led to dawn services and parades being cancelled, people will still be able to make their own musical contribution to the day from a social distance.

Those able to pick up an instrument have been asked to play The Last Post from their driveways or apartment balconies at 6am on Anzac Day.

Among those who will be playing the familiar bugle call will be Canberra City Band trumpet players Farzana Choudhury and Keyden Bruce, who will be getting up early to play the piece while in their band uniform.

Ms Choudhury will be playing outside her Braddon apartment complex, while Mr Bruce will be performing from Googong Oval as part of a dawn service that will be live streamed.

The pair said music plays an essential role in Anzac Day commemorations, and that it was critical it continue this year on an Anzac Day unlike any other.

"Music has always held an important role in military groups for a long time, and concert bands still to this day hold that music in great significance," Mr Bruce said.

"Things will be different for everyone in the times of COVID-19, and it's important that we still do things the way they have been done."

Ms Choudhury said a typical Anzac Day for her normally consisted of playing at services in Canberra and Queanbeyan.

Although this year's commemorations would be different, she said it was good that there would still be music throughout the community on the day.

"I've loved being able to play with community bands, and doing that by yourself this year is a bit sad," she said.

"But there are so many people in various bands across the country playing the Last Post and will still be playing for an audience, even if it's from a bit of a distance."

The call for musicians to play the Last Post from people's driveways is part of the Music for Mateship initiative.

The initiative, promoted by Australian jazz legend James Morrison, has uploaded the sheet music for the Last Post and Reveille for all to use.

While the music is traditionally heard on bugles or other brass instruments, those who play other instruments are also encouraged to take part.

Mr Bruce has played in Anzac Day commemorations every year since he was 12, and said it was one of the most important music performances on the calendar.

"A lot of Anzac Day is people commemorating the spirit of the Anzacs in their own way, and I think it's the same for musicians," he said.

"People contribute in their own way."

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Ms Choudhury said the sounds of the Last Post heard across Canberra driveways would be a fitting tribute in the absence of large dawn services.

"Its nice that people can make their own contribution. Normally not that many people play the Last Post, but this year others will be able to make a contribution."