The Mouthpiece

The Official Journal of the

Brass Band Association of New Zealand

The Mouthpiece is a monthly publication produced by the Brass Band Association of New Zealand to record the developments and news from Bands throughout the country.

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November 2011 issue - Youth Camps, Band Pitch 452.5 etc

The front page features various youth bands. There was for learner players at St Arnaud's that then split into three. The National Secondary Schools Band was mostly at Brightwater but did have some differing activities, and then split into five for local tours. Whereas down in the nearly deep south, President Dianne Smeehuyzen was at the Otago and Southland Districts Youth Camp in the Catlins.  Too much to summarise, and for once I am pressed for time, so read the original.

However, I do find Allan Brown's history articles of special interest, and this month it was on brass band standard pitch - 452.5 Hz which is almost exactly half a semitone above concert pitch.  (Call it: A semi sharp, A blunt but dangerous, whatever.) I couldn't tell from the article when the changeover occurred to mainstream. It was probably gradual over the 70s and 80s as brass instruments were imported with an assumed 440 base. There are still variants of course. A local bellbird [ to me, the webmaster] has a B-A-F-E call, but that assignment assumes a Baroque 435 Hz base. So in 1975, BBANZ still hadn't settled the First World War, and bellbirds continue to defy Versailles. Only by 0.2 of a semitone, but definitely territorial.

There are adverts for instruments and Nationals related matters interspersed.

Please send anything of Banding interest to David Dobson, BBANZ General Manager, contact info below.

The above summary was prepared by the webmaster. I don't play any musical instrument, 
so of course my comments are 'under-informed'. The ignorance should be relatively harmless.
If it is imbalanced, email me. ( See the Contact Us web page.)

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The Mouthpiece Magazine is available by subscription to members of BBANZ and individuals who are interested in what is happening in Brass Banding and Brass Music in New Zealand.

The cost is $50.00 (within New Zealand) OR $55.00 (overseas) which covers ten magazines per annum, including the costs of postage as well as GST.

To subscribe to The Mouthpiece, click here to download a form.

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Advertising Rates 

(including colour rates as from 1 May 2007)

Black and white rates
Single column per centimetre	$12.00
Double column per centimetre	$20.00
Three columns per centimetre	$25.00
Full Single column	$130.00
Full Double column	$250.00
Full Page	$320.00
Half Page	$200.00

Colour Rates
Half page	$250.00
Full page	$400.00

For colour advertisements of less that half a page, please contact the Editor.

• All prices subject to additional 12.5% GST.
• 20% discount for a minimum of five consecutive insertions if paid by 20th of the month following each insertion.
• Special discount rates available on request.
• Deadline for copy - 15th of month prior to publication.
• Placing adverts from the Mouthpiece on the website is a free service offered to members bands and District Associations who pay for an advert in the Mouthpiece. Individuals, other organisations and businesses are welcome to also have their Mouthpiece advert on the website for an extra charge of $20 plus GST per month.

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For further information please contact David Dobson at the BBANZ office.
04 499 9896 Office
04 499 9897 Fax/Answerphone
Office: Level 3, 69 Boulcott Street, Wellington
Postal: PO Box 5314, Lambton Quay, Wellington

The Office core hours are 9.00am - 1.00pm, Tuesday - Friday. Please phone the office if you need to meet outside of these hours to arrange a suitable time.

The office is located off the south end of Lambton Quay. Go up the lane with the statue of the Victorian Gentleman and his Dog, on up Plimmers Steps, puff, puff, left through a short tunnel at the top, whence survivors may view 69-71 Boulcott just across the street.

All visitors are welcome.

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