News
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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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.