BAND FROM NEW ZEALAND

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26511, 28 August 1951, Page 3

BAND FROM NEW ZEALAND

VISIT TO BRITAIN NEXT YEAR NOMINATIONS CALLED FOR ’ ’ Next year, a brass band from New Zealand is to compete in the British brass band contests at Belle Vue and London. The band to be formed will consist of the Dominion’s most qualified bandsmen with the emphasis on youth. This information has been received from the secretary of the New Zealand Brass Bands’ Association, Mr E. Ormond.

All brass bands affiliated to the association have been approached to submit names of prospective members for the tour, which is to begin on June 14, 1952. Already more than 150 applications have been received, although the list will remain open until September 9. I «?! The tour is to last for about six and a half months, concluding, it is expected, with a' short tour of Australia. The band is to be equipped with a new set of instruments and two uniforms, for which a prize for design has been offered to garment manufacturers. The establishment is to be 36, which includes 25 brass players, three percussion, four reserves and four attached personnel. Players will assemble one month before the projected tour and will have solid training in marching displays and in moulding themselves into a first-class musical combination. A representative of the association is to leave for England next month to arrange all details of the tour in the British Isles. Applications for a conductor have been called. The whole success of the tour will depend upon the ability of the conductor. British judges who have judged in New Zealand have frequently remarked upon the comparable standard of solo playing iff the Dominion. It would be a grand thing for this country if this combination could win a British Isles championship. There is no reason why this could not be done, judging by the present standard of New Zealand championship grade bands. Only two New, Zealand brass bands have been previously to England, one in 1903 under the conductorship of Captain T. Herd, and the other during World War 11. When the 2nd Echelon went to England the sth Brigade band, conducted by Captain Claude Miller, presented many concerts at Home while the brigade was there. In 1903 the band which went to England was formed from the finest solo players in the country at the time. From all accounts, this combination performed creditably, but its establishment of soloists rather out-weighed its success as a team. It is to be expected that emphasis will be placed this time on team work.

Already the Government and the Opposition, it is reported, have promised. separately, to subsidise the tour to the extent of at least one-third of the total expense, which is estimated to be about £30.000. It is hoped that a fair portion of this can be raised in England, but a strong appeal will be made to the public of New Zealand to nrovide approximately £lO,OOO towards the cost of the tour.