History of the National Youth Brass Band

National representative bands are unique to New Zealand and a strength that underpins our high standards world wide.

The beginnings of our youth programmes began in 1959 with the National Junior School where the conductors involved Les Francis and Mr Ralph Simpson selected members for the school, the first of which was held in Christchurch in 1959, at Lincoln College (now University)

In 1968 the NZBBA Executive appointed Tom Taylor, Percy Brooker and Ernie Ormrod (Junior) to investigate a more structured approach to auditions and selection. This resulted in the first “pure” National Youth Band of New Zealand in 1970.

This band assembled at Lincoln College in 1970 under Musical Director Norman Goffin with assistant Strauss Smith. After rehearsals, with notable tutors, the band performed several concerts in the South Island. Players were not over 19 years of age.

Overseas tours by this group have included an extended tour of New South Wales and Queensland in 1979 under Kevin Jarrett. Another tour in 1991 saw the band perform at the Lions World Convention in Brisbane to much acclaim. Through this period the National Youth Band marched as well as performed on stage.

In 1997 Nigel Weeks and Ian Levien began planning the current format whereby the Band became an annual summer school based in Wellington. Nationwide auditions in 1997 resulted in the first "new format" National Youth Band assembling at Victoria House/Victoria University, with guest artist Bob Childs from the famous Black Dyke Band. Players could audition up to the age of 22 years. Tutors were engaged from the NZSO Brass and from the New Zealand band scene and a short concert tour in central New Zealand culminated the course.  This three-phase format continues today:  preparation (the auditions), practice (the rehearsals) and presentation (the concerts).

Notable international and New Zealand artists have performed with the Band and the improved regularity of the course has seen a rise in performance standards on often technically demanding musical works.

In 2003 the band toured to England and Wales to fulfill invitations to several events and also celebrate 50 years since the 1953 National Band won the British Open. See full details under ANZAC Tour below. The Band’s name was changed to the National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand.

Guest artists
1998  Robert Childs  Euphonium Wales (Black Dyke Band)
1999  Simone Rebello Percussionist England (Fodens Band)
2000  Nick Hudson  Trombone England (Williams Fairey Band)
2001  Clyde Dixon  Cornet NZ (Wanganui Brass)
2002  Philip Johnston Eb/Bb Tuba NZ (Woolston Brass)
2003  David Bremner Trombone NZ (Dalewool Auckland Brass)
2004  Riki McDonnell Euphonium NZ (Dalewool Auckland Brass)
2005 Alexandra Kerwin Soprano Cornet (Trusts Waitakeri)
2006 John Lewis Cornet NZ (Principal Cornet for National Band)
2007 Mike Ford Tenor Horn (Marlborough Districts Brass)
2008 Colin Clarke, Soprano Cornet (Woolston Brass)

Course Directors
1998-2003 Nigel Weeks  Auckland
2004-2006 Kenneth Young Kapiti Coast NZ
2007-2009 Kevin Moseley Blenheim

Guest Conductors
2001  Ray Farr  Norway
2002  Kenneth Young Kapiti Coast NZ

Band Managers
1998-2000 Ian Levien  Auckland
2001-2003 Owen Melhuish Kapiti Coast
2004-2008 Mike Sander  Wellington
2005-2008 Marie Rockell Wellington

Assistant Managers
1998-2000 Owen Melhuish Kapiti Coast
2001  Daniel Wilson Auckland
2002-2003 Helen Hoy  Christchurch
2004-2005  Marie Rockell Wellington
2007 Nicola Moyinhan Blenheim
2008 Clynton Payne, Wellington

Summer Tours and Concerts
1998 Wellington, Paraparaumu, Feilding, Blenheim
1999 Wellington, Wanganui, Rotorua, Auckland
    Plus recording a CD
2000 Paraparaumu, Christchurch, Timaru, Cromwell (Vineyard concert) and Invercargill
2001 Paraparaumu, New Plymouth, Hamilton and Tauranga
2002 Paraparaumu, Nelson, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin, Cromwell (Vineyard) and Queenstown
2003 Wellington and Lower Hutt 
   Plus recording a CD then ANZAC Tour (see Past Tours)
2004 Wellington, Wanganui, Napier and Tauranga
2005 Wellington, Auckland
2006 Wellington, Blenheim, Nelson, Greymouth
    Plus recording the CD “Live at Expressions”
2007 Blenheim, Nelson, Christchurch, Timaru
2008 Wanganui, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wellington

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