National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand

Tours and Recollections

• Lisa Crawley on her 2005 experience
• 2005 Anzac Day
• 2003 ANZAC Tour of the UK
• Te Reo Hughes recalls his UK Tour 2003
• 2006 Concert Review
• Ben Burnell on his 2006 Tour

Kenneth Young, Lisa Crawley and Kevin Jarrett - 2005 National Youth Brass Band of NZ

Lisa Crawley (16), 1st Horn for Wanganui Brass and 2nd Horn with the National Youth Brass Band of NZ 2005 writes about her experiences as a first time member of a National Youth Band and the tour.

Well…where do I start?? Thinking back to the Youth Band seems like months ago where as, in reality, it was only a few weeks!

From April the 17 th to the 26 th was none other than an experience of a lifetime. My expectations of the course were totally exceeded – Not only did I develop as a musician, I made like, a whole new family! Which is not something you can do everyday.

I remember before our first rehearsal on the Sunday night, I was talking to Aimee Beaumont and telling her how nervous I was. I couldn’t have been more wrong! Playing under Ken is amazing; he’s just so easy-going and relaxed. Also with Jess Blair and Slade Hocking as the fine sergeants a lot of fun was had… And I’m also proud to say that good ol’ Wanganui got the first fine of the course… Yeah Hamish!

Our time at Silverstream was mainly filled up with rehearsal, eating, rehearsal, consumption of…Lemonade… rehearsal, jumping on the tramp (well, a select few anyway: Aimee Beaumont, Karl Anderson, Aaron Herman and myself!), rehearsal and a teensy bit of sleep!

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were spent rehearsing etc. But also with sectionals on Monday night, a visit from Dwayne Bloomfield (The composer of our main piece ‘Behold The Narrows From The Hill’), Clyde Dixon and Murray Mansfield before they flew out to Gallipoli for ANZAC services on Tuesday night, and on the Wednesday morning, several cases of ‘food poisoning’ and a TVNZ film crew!

Thursday was the day of our first concert, held at St Andrews on the Terrace – The excitement starting even before we’d finished setting up with the percussion truck being reversed into the church! The concert however, went really well. The highlights for me being Alex Kerwin’s rendition of ‘ Gethsemane’ and of course ‘Behold The Narrows Over The Hill’ (NB: This is NOT a typo hehe)

Friday brought the longest day of the course. From 6am to anywhere between 11pm-4am, in both Wellington and Auckland, Friday was it. Playing at the Lions’ Convention was…educational to say the least. The highlight being the fireworks display afterwards!

A big thank you has to go out to Alex Kerwin and Ken Young for the seminars Saturday morning. Although we may not have been in the peak of our health, I know that many of us were inspired by what you both said. Also all the managers, especially Marie Rockell who was there with us the whole way through. A personal thank you from us Wanganuians’ to Kevin Jarrett. Without you Kev, none of us would’ve got this far.

Our ANZAC day concert in the Holy Trinity cathedral was fantastic! With a letter to the band from Dwayne Bloomfield before we went on stage about how we were to play his piece, it felt quite personal. It had to be the best we’d ever played it and the audience response proved that.

I guess there’s not much else to say about the Youth Band. Prize giving was the same night and all the prizes went deservingly. This was followed by a farewell and one last late night together.

So thanks guys, for giving me the time of my life. I’ll never forget it and see you all next year! In the words of dear Basil of the Lions Foundation: “Remember band – You are so special!”

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Band Commemorates 2005 Anzac Day

ANZAC TOUR 2003

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1953 National Band’s famous tour to Britain the Brass Bands Association of New Zealand sent the highly acclaimed National Youth Brass in April 2003 to fulfil invitations to several high profile events.

Prior to leaving New Zealand, the NYB made a CD at the Lower Hutt Town Hall with the assistance of Trust Records and Morrison Music Trust. Entitled “Brass Aotearoa” it features a new commission by Gareth Farr, many other pieces with a New Zealand flavour.

A massive fundraising effort began in 2002 for the $300,000 budget. The forty-three band members were expected to pay $3000 each towards the tour cost.

Highlights of the tour were:

• Farewell concert Auckland Town Hall with the world premiere of Tawhirimatea (Gareth Farr)
• Magic Music Days – Disneyland
• Joint concerts with Hampshire County Youth Band, Brighouse and Rastrick, Dobcross Youth Band, Youth Brass 2000, Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band, Risca Male Voice Choir
• Bristol Live ! Festival
• Concerts at Bath Gardens, Leeds Town Hall and Regents Hall London
• ANZAC day Westminster Abbey London.

2003 New Zealand National Youth Band with the British Open Shield

2003 NZ National Youth Band with Roger Webster outside the UK Besson factory

UK TOUR 2003

By Te Reo Hughes (18) Principal Cornet of Te Awamutu Brass Band and third cornet with the National Youth Brass Band writes about her experiences on the National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand's tour to England and Wales.

On Thursday 3rd of April, 43 ambitious musicians, 21 pleasant supporters, and 7 tolerant managers (a total of 72 kiwi folks) were about to embark on a musical excursion in the homelands of brass banding. This of course being the most anticipated project in the entire history of the National Youth Brass Band.

After about 18 months of individual preparation, and with some assistance from Lions Clubs of New Zealand the National Youth Brass Band and company set off to officially start the 2003 ANZAC Tour, and as John Lewis of Brass Band World Magazine put it, " armed only with a musical instrument, a change of clothes and a lunchbox full of vegemite sandwiches...." (Although, I think most of us prefer marmite John).

First up, Los Angeles! NYBB was in full force, ready to play and astonish one and all!....or were we? Perhaps the excitement of being in Disneyland, the happiest place in the world, was a bit distracting for the deprived bunch. Our performance at the Magic Music Days was neither good nor bad. But after realising that our aim was to represent New Zealand to the best of our ability with a professional approach, the band decided we were better than
that, and from then on we all had our game face on. Maybe with the exception of the joint concert with the Hampshire County Youth Band in Basingstoke, where we all had our bull dog faces on. Reason being, a sleepless 12 hour flight, two prolonged, extended, never ending days. I guess it was a bit too much for the already tired bodies and minds of the youth band. Jet lag and fatigue was starting to set in. It would have been a fabulous Kodak moment! It was our first concert and all eyes, arms, legs, and mouths were sweeping and moping the floors. Ah yes! we were an ugly looking bunch. However, aside from being rather unsightly, me managed to pull off a fantastic concert, which was very well received.
Here is a question that many people have asked me. What really happened on the tour? In other words, Who was the band idiot?, Who was the most annoying person?, Well, sorry to disappoint, but as they all say, what happens in Youth band, stays in Youth band......on the other hand, I'm not one to dishearten that annoying little itch to indulge in a bit of gossip….. but no I cannot be persuaded .. keep itching.

Places the tour group were fortunate to see included Disneyland, The Roman Baths in Bath, Manchester United Football Club, Coronation Street (which was a major highlight for our Musical Director Nigel Weeks), the birthplace of William Shakespeare, Buckingham Palace, The Besson instrument factory ( With New Zealander Riki McDonnell in the Hall of Fame), and many more. Not to mention the stunning venues were able to play in such as the Leeds Town Hall, Buxton Opera House and of course the gorgeous Westminster Abbey!Friday 25th April, the day we had all been waiting for, ANZAC day. My thoughts went back home immediately, Te Awamutu Brass would have marched down the main street and
congregated at the memorial stone, and my younger sister would have blown her heart out on the bugle. But as for me, I had a treat of my own to enjoy.The band had been invited to perform before the main service at Westminster Abbey for ANZAC Day.  Preparing for our performance in Westminster, put us all in a very sympathetic state. It was shown through the sonorous sound that the band produced, which was very appealing to the emotions.The music stopped at 11:50am, and we had to wait for the VIPS to walk past. Helen Clark marched on by and managed to give us a little wink.The service soon came to an end, and throughout the playing of God Defend New Zealand, a tear was shed by many of us. For the first time ever, I felt patriotic. It was an experience I’m sure we'll never forget.It all ended on the Hispaniola, a moored boat and restaurant on the Thames River. Here we had our last dinner together, including the supporters and other invited guests. After dinner, a few awards and speeches were given. Thus bringing the tour to an end, but it being the last night, there were still plenty of good times to be had, a celebration of a successful tour.

There are so many people to thank for bringing this project together, and making it possible for a select few young musicians to experience a different culture, and play music with and amongst people we admire and adore. Firstly, thanks to the Brass Band Association of New Zealand. The effort, money, and time spent on this trip was not wasted, as I assure you, a lesson was learnt everyday. A big thank you to Owen and Lynne Melhuish, and Simon Hocking. There is no doubt that the workload in organising such a tremendous task, would drive the average "Joe" to the limit. However, this dynamic team put up a good fight, and managed to bring the tour together. Their efforts made or a smooth and fun - filled trip. The supporters group should definitely be acknowledged. 23 very brave people made a choice to tour alongside the band. This group consisted of people who were parents, friends of the band, and people who just shared an interest and appreciation of brass band music. They attended every single concert at their own will, bringing along their words of encouragement.

A huge thanks to our travelling guest soloist David Bremner. Obviously his ability to play the Trombone with such skill and poise is no less than amazing! But even though we relished listening to him play, his company was enjoyed even more. The tour would not have been the same without his great influence.

Along the way, we picked up fellow musician and local by the name of Steve Legge. As a chaperone he helped us settle in and find our way, where ever we were. He even directed us to the nearest " fizzy pops!" Steve certainly went way beyond the duties of a chaperone, packing and loading, helping to set up he stage, and to my relief, he even looked after the banners which was initially my job.

Last but definitely not least, I along with the rest of the NYBB is so greatful and appreciative of maestro Nigel Weeks. Playing music under Nigel is not a chore, its just plain fun. Of course there are moments of fear, but once you soon realise his threats of pain are just a joke (after playing poorly), you can then change your shorts and quickly get over it. Nigel is one of those few conductors you just want to give your all to. Once you realise how hard he works for us, so it just seems right to do the same in return. To sum him up, " They don't get much better than Nigel Weeks." His departure from the youth band scene will be greatly missed, but I’m sure he has plans of his own, and we haven't heard the last of him yet.
So, 9 cities, 12 concerts, 12 venues, one recording session for BBC, 100 rolls of film,  one broken lift, and endless list of "SPYAS" (for those not in brass bands SPYAS are missed notes, usually by soloists), two birthdays (including one 21st) and too many sore heads later, the National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand, emerges  from an experience which will remain in everyones heads as the ultimate band camp! So many memories.
I now believe that the Youth band is something all youth brass players should strive for. There is nothing better than sharing an interest with 43+ people and indulge in it for a week or two once every year. Its more than just a learning experience.
I mentioned earlier " they don't get much better than Nigel Weeks", well,
" It definitely doesn't get any better than the National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand".

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