LOCAL LIFE

by Greg Martin

The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy came from Company B, but our particular bugler is a Year 8 student at Kurrajong’ s Kuyper Christian School.

Thirteen-year-old Nathan McAlpine isn’ t blowing his own trumpet but perhaps his most ardent admirers, members of the Kurrajong District War Memorial Club, are doing just that.

And on the subject of blowing a trumpet, that’ s exactly what impressed KDWMC members when Nathan participated in last year’ s Remembrance Day service in Kurrajong’ s Memorial Park.

Nathan’ s performance playing The Last Post and then The Rous so impressed everyone in attendance that KDWMC gifted his school with a magnificent silver bugle and a tuition scholarship to train a bugler to play at community ceremonies.

Nathan of course was the first recipient!

The delightful young man was delighted and honoured to be anointed the first scholarship holder and has worked tirelessly to ensure he won’ t blow a wrong note at the 2025 Remembrance Day service.

Kuyper has a thriving music program, with students as keen as mustard to become members of the 35-member Kuyper Concert Band, which has recently returned from a tour of the Shoalhaven district where they wowed audiences at nine schools.

Nathan has been putting his lips to a trumpet mouthpiece since he was in Year 4 and joined the band program.

“ I really have a passion for playing the trumpet and thanks to my tuition, I am also enjoying playing the bugle,” Nathan said.

You can see and hear for yourself how proficient this young man is when he performs The Last Post and The Rous at Kurrajong’ s 2025 Remembrance Day service on November 11.

Nathan will also be in action, but on the trumpet, when the concert band performs at the Redbank Community Christmas evening at Peel Park on December 6 and then the annual Limelight Concert in the school hall on December 9.

Ruth Thompson, Kuyper’ s delightful Enrolment and Communications Manager, is delighted not only with Nathan’ s performances on the trumpet and bugle, but of the entire concert band.

“ At Kuyper, we believe that education extends far beyond academic achievement,” Ruth said.

“ Its true purpose is to prepare students to live and serve faithfully in God’ s world.

“ We are deeply thankful to the Kurrajong District War Memorial Club for their continued support, which provides our students with opportunities to use their gifts to serve our local community in meaningful ways.”

Talented musician, Nathan McAlpine’ s undoubted skills on a trumpet have led to him receiving a tuition scholarship to play the bugle. Photo: Kathryn Johnston.

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THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 186 // NOVEMBER 2025 5