NATIONAL BAND MAY TOUR AGAIN

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31662, 24 April 1968, Page 16

NATIONAL BAND MAY TOUR AGAIN

Authority to begin negotiations for an overseas tour by the National Band of New Zealand was given to the executive of the New Zealand Brass Bands Association at the annual meeting in Christchurch.

The tour will include partici pating in the world championships in 1970 subject to the financial success of the tour being guaranteed before the band leaves New Zealand. In the 1969 national contest there will be a new form of quickstep contest. The set piece will be considerably reduced and all bands will be required to do an own choice marching display as part of the marching competition. Instead of two test selections, from 1969 the championship will be decided by the aggregation of points awarded in one test selection and in one own choice selection From next year solo events will be held before the band events. It was announced that the association had spent a considerable sum over the years on its junior training programme and that these activities would be increased.

:i- The national junior school - will be abolished in favour of i a series of district junior ■ schools conducted by the dis- ! trlct associations and subsidised by the national association. About 600 junior bandsmen will receive tuition. Thirty-three bands will take part in the 1968 national : championships in Christchurch : from May 10 to 13. Dr Paul Yoder, a leading American band composer, a doctor of music, and a past president of the American Band Masters' Association, spoke to delegates and expressed surprise at the enthusiasm of the New Zealand band movement. Officers were elected as follows: President, Mr P. M. Brooker (Wellington); vice-presidents, Messrs C. D. Smith (Hamilton) and I. E. Still (Dunedin); management committee, Messrs L. Thorne (Auckland), E J. Ormond (New Plymouth), N. Goffin (Wellington). R. Simpson (Christchurch), J. Rafferty (Christchurch) and A. Briesman (Dunedin): secretary, Mr G. R Mowat (Christchurch).