News
ABA Band Contest 2011
The Auckland Bands Association (ABA) held its annual band contest on Sunday, 25 September. It was an early start for many after putting the clocks forward an hour the night before, and with a RWC game on that afternoon at Eden Park, and some of the contestants having tickets to the game, there were some players watching the clock.
The adjudicator for the day was Alan Spence, conductor of Eastern Bay of Plenty Brass. Alan did a great job and it was a pleasure having him onboard.
It was great to see Whangarei District Brass compete again after a few years away from contesting and Auckland City Brass competing in the A Section after recently being promoted to the B Grade.
The ABA band contest took on a new format this year with each band taking to the stage only once for 45 minutes and performing a programme that included a march, sacred item, solo, major work and entertainment music. The new format was well received by the bands and the audience and with a few refinements, will be continued in the future.
Northshore Brass used the opportunity for a trial-run of the test piece they will be playing in a few weeks time at the FABB contest. The ABA wish North Shore Brass all the best for the contest and we know you will do NZ proud.
ABA Solo and Party Contest 2011
The Auckland Bands Association held its annual Solo and Party Contest on Sunday, 19 June 2011 at the AUT Northshore Campus.
Once again, the Championship sections were overflowing with entries and demonstrated an amazing display of talent that is contained in the Auckland brass bands. The chief adjudicator for the day was the wonderfully talented EEb bass virtuoso, Nigel Seaton and Colin Clark did a superb job adjudicating the younger performers throughout the day.
Placings | Full Results & Points (PDF)
ABA Traditional and Entertainment Contest 2010
When news of the Canterbury earthquake broke the Auckland dawn, hearts and minds turned southwards to friends and loved ones.
For Craig McKee, contest manager for the Auckland Band Association regional contest on 5 September, the job had just become much harder. Shane Foster, adjudicator for the contest was trapped in Christchurch, and with him were all the scores.
“It was quite a frantic time,” Craig said, “finding all that music again was just the first step. We also needed someone to sit in the box.”
In true form, help was never far away. Gary Bilton, an accomplished adjudicator, was competing with The Trusts Waitakere Brass and willingly stepped up to judge the B section traditional and youth sections. David Woodcock happily provided the comments and points for the A grade traditional.
The entertainment sections required a combined approach. Craig took time out from compering and contest managing duties to sit and judge the music alongside one of Auckland’s finest jazz entertainers, Edwina Thorne, who was also competing with the Trusts Waitakere Brass.
With wife Julie an indispensable right hand, Craig had the day firmly under control.
“But no matter what we had to deal with, our thoughts are with those in Canterbury and don’t worry Shane, you are already booked for next year” Craig smiled gently as he watched the last band leave the stage.
A new trophy in memory of Jack McDonnell was presented by Alan McDonnell. Jack sadly passed away recently and is dearly missed by all in the brass band movement. He had a love for brass bands and right up to his passing, Jack could still be found making the half time cuppa for Northshore Brass rehearsals. Jack spent many years teaching and training new learners and his last years playing were with Northshore Youth. The Jack McDonnell Memorial trophy will be awarded each year to a person who has provided an outstanding contribution to the training of youth in Auckland. The inaugural winner is Mr Ian Levien.
There were three special trophies awarded from the Auckland Bands Association solo competition. These were:
Highest Points Under 11 Years, Mollie Comfield, Northshore Youth
Highest Points Under 16 Years, Christian Chappell, Papakura RSA Brass
Conductors Cup, Graeme Brown, Smiths Locksmiths Manukau City Brass
It was a great day of music making with excellent performances from all competing bands. Congratulations to the winners.
Allen Vizzutti
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEW ZEALAND
INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED TRUMPETER
Friday June 25 - Masterclass Auckland
Venue: MusicWorks, Auckland 5.30- 7.00pm
Saturday June 26 - Classical Concert.
First Half - Classical Trumpet repertoire with piano accompaniment
Second Half - with "The Band of the Royal New Zealand Navy" .
Appears by kind permission of Captain A. H. Keating, RNZN, Commanding Officer, HMNZS PHILOMEL.
Venue to be advised 8.00pm
Sunday June 27 - Jazz Concert
In Concert with the Rodger Fox Big Band
Venue: Masonic Hotel, Devonport, Auckland 7.30pm
Tuesday June 29 - Classical Concert.
First Half - Classical Trumpet repertoire with piano accompaniment
Second Half - with the Central Band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force
Director of music: Squadron Leader Owen Clarke
Programme presented by kind permission of the Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshall G.B. Lintott ONZM, FRAeS.
Venue: St.Andrews on the Terrace - Wellington 7.30pm
Wednesday June 30 Master-class Wellington
Venue: New Zealand School of Music - Massey University 4.00 - 5.30pm
Wednesday June 30 - Jazz Concert
In Concert with Rodger Fox’s Wellington Jazz Orchestra
Venue: Sandwiches Crn Kent Terrace and Majoribanks Street Wellington. 7.30pm
Tickets are available through: www.iticket.co.nz or phone 0508-iTicket or 09 361 -1000
“Beautiful…lyrical…stunning…stupifying.”
“Trumpet player supreme.”
Syracuse Post Standard
“Finely tuned wind, easy control, polyharmonic wit, orchestral penmanship, punctuated spiritual warmth…rarely do so many qualities find themselves in one musician.”
Chick Corea
Biography
Attended the Eastman School of Music, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees. Vizzutti moved to Los Angeles during the '80s and began a career as a session musician, performing on a plethora of film, TV, and commercial soundtracks. He also backed Chick Corea and played on sessions for Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, and Prince, among others. Vizzutti subsequently joined Doc Severinsen's Tonight Show Band, and co-produced the band's first-ever album in 1986; the record won a Grammy for Best Big Band Recording. Vizzutti also performed with Woody Herman and Chuck Mangione, amongothers.
As for his solo career, Vizzutti appeared with numerous symphony orchestras around the world as a classical soloist, sometimes performing original compositions like his "Emerald Concerto" ( recorded with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra). Yamaha Trumpet Artist
Magical mischief
'Trusts' Waitakere Brass fooled no-one at the Glen Eden Playhouse with its Magic Concert on 11 October. Everyone knew the 'prestige' of Musical Director Steven Booth and his eclectic troupe. They just like having fun.
Homage was paid to the standard of banding, the concert march, as the Wizard, a favourite of bands in the famous Whit Friday marches in the UK, opened the programme.
Hypnotic artistry from soloists Kieth Stubley (bass trombone), Courtney Hildreth (flugel) and Andy Williams (horn) delighted. Gary Bilton's exquisite euphonium sound in Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair showed off the depth of the ensemble in the lower ends with a nine piece 'mini band' as his accompaniment.
Movie magic relived fantasies from Harry Potter to Narnia and tested the band's skill and stamina.
Then there was interval… and the mists cleared.
Queen's "It's a Kind of Magic" opened the second half and suddenly animated clicking filled the stage as the audience clapped to the strong rhythms led by kit wizard James Carson.
Waitakere's trombone section showed off in Blades of Toledo only to have their thunder almost stolen by the afternoon siestas snatched by the back row cornets during the slower bars.
Holst's Uranus – the Magician, showed a devilish delight in the intricate cross rhythms from the master composer and was the perfect up beat on which to end the latest offering from the band out west.
Waitakere are in the process of finding their way back to the halcyon days of years not that long gone by. Concerts such as this show they are on the right road.
With plans already well underway for their Jazz Mania! concert on 22 November, the magic is set to continue.
Kathy Clark
A Toy Was Just The Ticket
At Waitakere Concert!!
If you went down to the Glen Eden Playhouse on Sunday 23 August, you'd be in for a big surprise as The Trust's Waitakere Brass Band, under musical director Steven Booth, held their annual 'Toys for Kids' concert.
Your admission ticket was the toy you donated to the Waitakere Hospital children's ward, and dressing up was on for young and old. Afternoon tea for the wee folk was donated by the Band members and local businesses.
The music appealed to toddlers who loved Thomas the Tank engine right up to the youths keen on the odd Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Even the parents and grandparents were entertained as Star Wars and Star Trek featured.
Soloists amused, from Stu Ritchie's athletic 'Acrobat' taking trombone playing to new 'lengths', through to the soft simplicity of Stardust played on the enchanting flugel horn by Courtney Hildreth, Soprano player Fendall Hill showed his sensitive side in Send in the Clowns.
Compere Mark Haines kept the magic and mystic of young curiosity engaged throughout the whole programme with his quips, jokes and seamless links between numbers.
As the theme from Scooby Doo filled the hall the stage filled with budding musicians when children from the audience were invited to pick up a percussion instrument, and play along and even have a go at conducting the band.
This is not the first time the Band has donated its time to the community. The 2009 concert was another full house in advance, and yet people still turned up at the door just hoping for that odd spare seat, showing just how popular this annual contribution to the people of West Auckland has become.
Whangarei District Brass Update
Long Service Award Night.
Wow, where did last year go? It is a year since The Whangarei District Brass had there Long Service Award Night. 8 Members received Awards totalling 394 years service to the NZ Brass Band Movement. Michael Austin 33 yrs, Dennis Lee 38 yrs, Frank Lundberg (Musical Director) 40yrs, Don Morris 47 yrs, Bill Harris 56yrs, Brian Salmon 57yrs, Arthur Tucker 61yrs, and Wally Burns 62yrs. A great night was had by all and we were fortunate to have Ian Levien come up and present the Awards.
Back Row: Arthur Tucker, Wally Burns, Frank Lundberg, Brian Salmon, Dennis Lee - Front Row: Ian Levien, Mike Austin, Bill Harris Don Morris.
Dec 08 saw the retirement of Brian Salmon from the Band after 58 years of dedicated service to The Whangarei District Brass.
WHANGAREI BANDS MAKE MUSIC TOGETHER FOR A GOOD CAUSE
The Whangarei District Brass and The Salvation Army Band combined recently for "Spring Festival of Music Concert" entry was through a can of food and a gold coin donation with the food and money being given to The Salvation Army Food Bank. Both Bands combined for the Church Service in the morning then shared lunch before putting on a great Concert with included The Floral Dance, Arioso, Just a Closer Walk with Thee, Eric Ball's march Star Lake and hymn Stella and many other pieces. A great afternoon was had by all. Hopefully it will become an annual event.
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The Royal NZ Artillery Band (B Grade), based in Panmure, has excellent opportunities for brass musicians.
Kumeu Brass ……… 60 years on!
Photos >> The Kumeu Community Hall resounded with the sound of Brass on Saturday, 15th November 2008 as Kumeu Brass celebrated their 60th Anniversary. This was attended by many past band members and their families from the local area and also several from further afield (Wellington, Katikati)
The band has always maintained a "family" base with some families continuing their association over several generations – 3 generations of the Whyte family had the chance to play together on Saturday – Judith Whyte, her daughter Debbie Williams and grandaughter, Danielle Williams.
All 3 bands the Senior Band (ably assisted by a few players from Waitakere Brass!), Auxiliary band and the Vintage Brass (for the well matured player!). performed a programme of their own choice on Saturday afternoon to an appreciative audience of past players, supporters and their families. The 3 bands then combined, with several of the audience participating as well, in a rousing grand finale of 6 pieces – 2 pieces selected by each of the bands.
Past and present players had the opportunity to get to know each other or renew old acquaintances and also remember the band history as represented in a display of photographs, old uniforms and other items of interest.
The evening programme commenced with a further performance from Kumeu Brass – featuring soloists Neville Thomas and Peter Whyte. The encore of "Floral Dance" being conducted by former conductor, Arthur Moulds.
There followed a short speech from President, Debbie Williams who thanked the team of organisers and also sponsors Kumeu River Winery and Francis Bros. Nursery. Derry Faulder, son of a founder member, shared some interesting anecdotes of the band and local Kumeu history.
The anniversary cake was then cut by the bands' youngest player, Aiden Whyte and older members Ron Crean and Basil Butler-Stoney. Everyone then enjoyed an excellent buffet dinner and an enjoyable social evening.
Waitakere Brass Clean Up at ABAs
Update >> Check out themusicpage.com to see Waitakere's performances at FABB along with coverage of the other bands in the contest. <<
Auckland Band Association competition Sunday 19 October 2008 saw 'The Trusts' Waitakere Brass sweep the silverware, winning in all areas of the Traditional and Entertainment sections of competition.
The band took home both the Hymn and Own Choice trophies in the Traditional section, with adjudicator David Gallagher making some very favourable comments about the band's performance of Sparke's 'Music For Battle Creek'.
The afternoon saw the band again being placed first in the Entertainment competition, achieving the highest marks for both the music and entertainment judging. Soprano Cornet player Fendall Hill was awarded the soloist trophy, while compere Mark Haines took home the Best Compere award.
Waitakere Brass are now looking forward to performing for a new audience at the FABB contest in Coolangatta this weekend , with a specially written program which is sure to raise a few eyebrows!
Christian wins cornet solo
(6 June 2008 - Courtesy of stuff.co.nz)
The 17-year-old Auckland City Brass member was recently named most outstanding soloist at the Matamata
Brass Festival of Music.
Christian, who has played cornet since he was 11, was called on to do the solo with only two weeks to prepare. Although it was his first competition with the band, he wasn't nervous. "I'm just used to it." He was surprised to win the award, having only joined the band this year after living in Tonga for 12 years.
The Three Kings teen was the lead cornet for his school band in Tonga and also plays the guitar. Band conductor and music director Jonathan Baker was pleased with the competition results. The band won the hymn trophy, gold award and most entertaining programme. "We are definitely heading in the right direction and kids like Christian are a pleasure to help and guide. He is one of the shining lights in the band."
The band's competition programme included the Imperial March from the movie Star Wars and a young boy from the audience was brought on stage and dressed in a Darth Vader mask. It was also Mr Baker's first competition with the band and he says members are doing well and responding positively to his direction. "The band played with a lot of enthusiasm and focus." He encourages members to look at competitions as performance opportunities and to play their best.