In the April 2020 edition of Viking Spirit we wrote about Old Boy Lachlan Luhrs (2016) whose faultless performances as a past Churchie Anzac Day bugler were emotionally stirring. We decided this was a perfect opportunity to find out more from Lachlan about what he has been doing since his schoolboy days at Churchie.

“I have studied and played trumpet since I was 7, so for some 13 years now. I have now completed three music degrees on trumpet, with the following letters after my name - AMusA (Associate in Music, Australian awarded by the Australian Music Examination Board); LTCL (Licentiate in Music awarded by the Trinity College of Music, London); LMusA (Licentiate in Music awarded by the Australian Music Examination Board). I am currently the Principal Trumpet with the Queensland Youth Symphony and the Queensland Youth Orchestra Big Band. In the 55 year history of the world renowned QYO program, I am the first trumpet musician to hold both principal positions in these two QYO ensembles.

At Churchie I was heavily involved in the music program. I played the trumpet for the Churchie Anzac services and was involved in the cadets program. For the past seven years, since I was old enough to participate, I have played in a Salvation Army band on the Anzac Day March in Brisbane. The Salvation Army is aligned and supports the defence services through the Salvation Army Red Shield defence services. They are also synonymous with brass banding, which complements my interest in the trumpet.

My connection with the Anzac spirit is traced to my great great grandfather William Booth Shaw. He was a Salvation Army minister and served in the Second World War in the Red Shield Services. In 1983 he was awarded the Australian Anzac of the Year Medallion from the Governor General. I am now a fourth generation Salvationist.

Most recently I performed at the Springfield Anzac Memorial, which was prepared for a virtual Anzac service in the Greater Springfield area that would normally have accommodated in excess of 6,000 participants. I count it a privilege to support the Anzac Day activities, particularly by playing the Last Post and Rouse in various memorial services.”