Top band to feature in 'Brass Rotunda’

Press, 27 October 1977, Page 18

Top band to feature in 'Brass Rotunda ’

New Zealand’s leading band, the SkellerupWoolston Band, of Christchurch, is featured in a half-hour programme, “Brass Rotunda,” which will be shown by South Pacific Television on Sunday, November 6. The band will be in a variety of settings around the Edmonds Band Rotunda on the banks of the Avon. The music features popular tunes such as the theme from the television programme "Black Beauty,” “The Hustle,"

“Men of Harlech,” “My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose” and “I Dream of Jeannie.” This latter piece is a special arrangement by English band composer Elgar Howarth. Special hand-written parts were especially flown from England by Mr Howarth for the programme and the producer, Geoff Wane, describes the piece as “one of the most beautiful arrangements I have ever heard. “We are particularly grateful for Mr Howarth

going to so much trouble for us so that his fine arrangement could be given its television premier performance in New Zealand.” Two special features in the programme are the opening display street march covering the whole river and rotunda area and “Heyken’s Serenade.” This rather farcical piece sees the composer, Johnny Heykens, travelling around the world to escape his tune with the most bizarre consequences. David McPhail,

of “Something to Look Forward To” fame, is featured as the narrator in this piece. The Skellerup-Woolston band was formed over 80 years ago although it did not take its present title until 1967. In 1975, it was the first New Zealand band to be invited in 27 years to compete in Britain’s premier competition, the British open championship. The band was placed among the 23 competing at this Belle Vue contest held in Manchester and also won the Edinburgh Festival invitation band contest. The musical director for the Skellerup-Woolston Band is Mervyn Waters, who conducted the band on its overseas tour in 1975. He has conducted the National Band of New Zealand three times since 1974 and is its musical director for the National Band’s overseas tour next year and entry in the next world championships to be held at Kerkrade, the Netherlands.