A.T.C. DRUM AND TRUMPET BAND

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27642, 26 April 1955, Page 10

A.T.C. DRUM AND TRUMPET BAND

FUNDS NEEDED FOR NEW INSTRUMENTS EFFORTS TO RAISE £650 The Christchurch Air Training Corps drum and trumpet and bugle band, the only one of any size and accomplishment in New Zealand, is in need of funds. Trumpets, bugles and drums used by the band all need replacement and a bill of about £650 or more faces the volunteer officers and boys if they are to have the instruments their performance deserves. Expert critics consider the band has reached a high standard and is worthy of strong public support. The boys who make up the band are all members of the Christchurch A.T.C. Squadron and they are very keen, but all the credit for their proficiency must be given to Flight Lieutenant J. L. Napier, himself a trumpeter of the first order, who has devoted his life to bands of this kind.

To equip a band of this size is a costly business. Trumpets, on the latest quotation, from England, will cost £6 10s each; bugles will be the same price. For each of these instruments a plaited cord is necessary and these will cost 13s each. Guard drums are priced at £l6 each and 10 are needed. For tenor drums, two of which will be required, the price is £2O and a bass drum will cost £25. All of this money will be raised by the efforts of the Christchurch Air' Training Corps Squadron with the help of other squadrons throughout New Zealand. Public help would be gratefully received, said an officer ox the squadron, but the boys would do their best to re-equip their band in stages.