Gens Altera is a family band joined each year by other expats from Glen Innes and people from all over the state and at times from other states in Australia. The band has been operating since 1999.
It originated due to the family moving to Coffs Harbour and not being able to come and play in Glen Innes due to not having or knowing the specific tunes that Glen Innes Pipe Band play.

As they had lived in Glen Innes for many years and loved the Celtic festival and playing in pipe bands, the simplest way to make the weekend so much more than a flying visit to watch, they made their band and asked other people to join in with them as their pipe band would not be coming to the festival either.

Over the years they have a 20 strong contingent, the original family (the Bryant’s) and have added close family friends, the Cameron’s, the Morley’s and others from Port Macquarie and Southern NSW.
They make a uniformed, teal boat shirt and everyone that asks to return has one of these shirts. They all wear the family kilts, and have their own sporrans & belts. They play mass band tunes and some speciality tunes. The Pipe Major is Jamie Bryant and or Stafford Cameron depending who is doing the Drum Major on the day. Both these people are Pipers are accomplished in leading and supporting others in their desire to have fun, play well and team up as a complete unit for the festival.

They normally play at the Red Lion and the Central Hotel on Saturday and up at the standing stones Sunday and Saturday as well as doing the march.

It is such a wonderful time to catch up with all their long term family and friends and they look forward to entertaining the crowds at the Celtic festival.