“Note Of Femininity” In Brass Band

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31377, 24 May 1967, Page 2

“Note Of Femininity” In Brass Band

When the Skellerup-Woolston Auxiliary Band marched to victory at the recent New Zealand brass band championships, the clear tones of the soprano cornet came from the “odd man out,’’ —Miss Julie Strong, the only female member of the band.

For almost seven years, Miss Strong has added a “note of femininity” to this brass band of 30 members. She has played in the national band contest six times, and for the last three years she has been selected for the New Zealand National Junior Band.

It all began when she was 12 years old. “I went to watch my brother, who was playing the bass drum in the band. I liked it and Mum and Dad bought me a cornet for my thirteenth birthday.” .

By now she is well accustomed to being a member of the “female minority group.” “Last time I was selected for the Junior National band, there were 70 boys and three girls,” she said. Although her experience of being the only female member of a band is not unique in New Zealand, Miss Strong has had a very special honour that ho other New Zealand female band member can claim—she has played for fhe New Zealand Army Band in Singapore. “Over there I met many boys in the Army who had played in our band,” said Miss Strong, who recently returned from a four-month trip to Malaya. Singapore and Australia. “When they heard I was

there, they asked me to come along to have a blow. I played in the band for about three weeks.”

Miss Strong is one of a musical family. Her father, Mr L. A. Strong, is a former president of the Christchurch Competitions Society, and a member of the Liedertafel, which has just returned from Auckland.*

Her mother, Mrs F. C. Strong, is a member of the Royal Christchurch Musical Society's choir in Christchurch. Her sister plays the piano. Her brother has given up band work, and confines his musical activity to choral work. .

For her own part, Miss Strong’s ability on the cornet is matched by an equal tacit ity on the piano, and in vocal solos. She has her A.T.C.L. in piano, and she acts as accompanist when the band gives solo items. She also plays the ukelele and the piano accordion.

She does not mind being a female member of a male group and frankly admitted “there certainly are not any disadvantages.” One of her girl friends is learning to play the trombone and is in the learners’ group, so she may soon have a companion. "It is good to see girls In a brass band. Hhere is really no reason why they can’t join. It is just not the done thing,” said Miss Strong. She has no outstanding musical ambition, but maintains that every player hopes eventually to join an A grade band. “I love bands. I will probably play in brass bands all my life If I were a boy, I would like to make a career in music. But unfortunately,

as a female, I am not eligible for membership of the National Brass Band.” Picture shows Miss Strong practising her cornet In Christchurch yesterday. .