Brass
Band
Association of New ZealandNational Band of New Zealand
Formation
The National Band of New Zealand is selected by competitive
audition of players from any of the bands that form the Association.
National Bands are formed every three years. Over 400
players
have participated in National Bands since 1953.
The
2009 National Brass Band of New Zealand assembled in Christchurch on 3
July 2009 for a pre departure training camp before attending the World
Music Brass Band Championships in Kerkrade Holland on 11/12
July.
In addition to attending the World Championships the band also
travelled to Peer in Belgium on 9 July for a combined concert with the
world renowned Peer wind band and on Monday 13 July following the World
Championships the National Band was invited to take part in a Gala
Concert with the Cory Band of Wales.
The musical director
of the National Band was Howard Taylor, currently music director for
Brisbane Excelsior. The band wishes to acknowledge the financial
support from NZCT as, without their contribution, it would not have
been possible to attend the World Championships.
The band wishes to acknowledge the financial support from NZCT as, without their contribution, it would not have been possible to attend the World Championships.
Click here for a list of the 2013 players.National Band 2013 - MD appointed
The Brass
Band Association of New Zealand is pleased, and proud, to announce the
appointment of Dr Robert Childs as Musical Director of the 2013
National Brass Band of New Zealand.
The Band was first formed in
1953 and previous directors have been noted conductors of New Zealand
bands. This is the first occasion on which a Musical Director from the
United Kingdom has been appointed. It is particularly pleasing
that such an eminent Musical Director as Dr Robert Childs has accepted
the position.
Auditions for seats in the band will be carried out shortly by Dr Childs.
Although
arrangements are not yet finalised it is intended the band will give
concerts in New Zealand and China in mid to late October 2013.
The National Band Club
Kevin Dell invites all past members of the National Band to join the National Band Club, to support the activities of any current National Band, and to foster social links in present and past members. The inaugural meeting of the club was held after the Invitation Slow Melody on April 15th, 2009.
this form if interested in joining
the Club.
History
Brass band music is truly a part of New Zealand’s cultural heritage. It was introduced to this small country soon after the brass band movement took root in Victorian England. Today almost every city in New Zealand has its own brass band. So it is perhaps not surprising that since its formation over 50 years ago, the National Band of New Zealand has won worldwide acclaim for its brilliant musicianship and technical virtuosity.
The National Band of New Zealand has thrilled millions of enthusiastic listeners at many international events including the 1953 Coronation festivities in London, the Edinburgh Festival, the New York World Fair, Los Angeles County Fair, Canadian Exhibition, Expo 70 in Japan and three Commonwealth Games. It is regarded by a number of authorities as one of the world’s foremost brass bands. The National Band of New Zealand has undertaken 14 previous national and international tours since its inception. Countries visited include the United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Greece, Japan and Australia.
Contest successes include the 1953 British Open Championship at Belle Vue, Manchester, three times world Championship Marching Band at the World Music Concourse, Kerkrade, the Netherlands and winner of the 1978 International Band Festival, Toronto, Canada. At the 1978 World Music Concourse at Kerkrade, the National Band of New Zealand was awarded 3 gold medals with distinction. This was the highest number of medals ever awarded to any group.
In 1953 the now famous first National Band of New Zealand visited Britain over a 17 week period, having sailed from New Zealand. In this time it performed 170 concerts and marching displays, one of the highlights being a Royal Command Performance before the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
The band competed in the Edinburgh Festival and the British Open Championships at Belle Vue. At Belle Vue the band, under Musical Director K G L Smith, took everyone by surprise, not the least themselves, by winning first prize playing the test piece The Three Musketeers by George Hespe. Said K G L Smith at the time - " I did not think for one moment think we would win. Our style and sound was completely different from the British bands."
This event is now etched into many bands people memories around the globe as an historic musical moment when an antipodean band beat British brass bands on their own soil.
The organisers of the fifteenth World Music Concourse held in Kerkrade, the Netherlands in July 2009, decided to introduce a special ‘World Brass Band Championship’ and hand delivered invitations to the top Brass Bands from throughout the world. These Bands came from New Zealand, United States of America, Scandinavia, Great Britain and Europe.
The set test for the World Music Championships was 'Harrison's Dream' by Peter Graham and the own choice 35 minute programme consisted of -
©2007
BBANZ