T H E O F F I C I A L N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E W O O L S T O N B R A S S B A N D • I S S U E 5 1 M a r c h 2 0 1 2

ISSN 1175 3331 (Print) ISSN 1179-2493 (Online)

Happy New Year!The months since our last issue have been the holiday season for many of us. Work and band obligations have been shelved temporarily and peace made with families and the inner self! When rehearsals resumed in mid-January many of our members returned with sun-tans and tales to tell of holiday adventures and improved golf handicaps.

Some of our Woolston families spent time together camping at a secret location known only to themselves and Nigel Seaton’s friendly farming mates (Peter and Jayne Evans). The river-side campsite saw a steady stream (no pun intended!) of families such as the Hickmans, Seatons and Pinkers. Other bandies to put in an appearance were Louisa Clissold, Steve Chapman, and his fiancée April Holland, and Phil Johnston. Many wholesome Kiwi activities were undertaken (mustering, drafting, dipping, shooting, swimming and laughing), but it wasn’t all goofing off as it was soon discovered that the woolshed made a perfectly good practice room. Sarah Hickman even made herself useful as a thistle-crushing tractor driver! (see pictures at right)

Too soon though it was back to business, and it has been a busy and varied start to 2012 for the band. Having been back in rehearsal for only one week the band recorded its track for the song Let ‘em Know by Lyttelton band, The Eastern. The band’s lead singer and songwriter Adam McGrath explained that the song was written after hearing the moving performance of Woolston Brass at the Christchurch Earthquake Memorial event last year. The song features on The Eastern’s newly released album “Hope and Wire” available from iTunes or from amplifier.co.nz. Physical copies can be bought from any record store. All digital royalties from Let ‘em Know are being donated to Woolston Brass.

While February’s Waitangi weekend is a much-appreciated holiday for most, for the members of Woolston Brass it was filled with extra rehearsals with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Kenneth Young in preparation for the ASB Classical Sparks. Despite a cool wind, a large crowd gathered in Hagley Park to enjoy the outdoor concert. Sarah Hickman wowed the audience with her rendition of flugel horn solo Air on the G String accompanied by Woolston Brass and the CSO. The band then showed their traditional brass band skills with a stylish performance of Burglar’s Holiday. The cornet trio comprised Steven Chapman, Kyle Lawson and Denis Broadbent. The evening concluded with an exciting performance from all musicians of Richard Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries complete with the ubiquitous fireworks.

On a beautiful sunny, windless day in mid-February, Woolston Brass joined a variety of bands and soloists at the 2012 Flaxwood Festival. Set in the beautiful grounds of Flaxton near Rangiora the band performed alongside well-known country and rock bands to entertain a large crowd of picnickers throughout the afternoon. Vocalists David Fiu and Caroline Blackmore were in fine form, with many in the audience genuinely surprised by the versatility of band.

The festival was a great credit to the organizers especially the Schuitman family, the owners of Flaxton, and a fitting tribute to Hans Schuitman who died suddenly last September. This fantastic day out raised funds for the following charities: The Salvation Army, Christchurch Women’s Refuge, The One-2-One Charitable Trust and Woolston Brass.

Sarah Hickman (with helpers) driving the thistle-crushing tractor

Sam Hickman, Grace Seaton and Jacob Hickman in the wood fire-warmed bath

April Holland, Jacob Hickman and his Granddad make damper.

Woolston Brass was honoured to be invited to perform at Canterbury’s first Japan Day held at Riccarton Racecourse on the 11th of March. The event was a celebration of traditional Japanese culture and food for Japanese expatriates, their children and the general public. At the conclusion of the festivities a moving commemorative service marked the first anniversary of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

As we go to print band members will be donning their red and black winter gear to support the Canterbury Crusaders with live music. A Woolston Carnival ensemble will play at the team’s home games this season. Go the Crusaders!

Events Calendar

Wednesday 25 April 2:00 pm

Anzac Remembered at the Air Force Museum, Wigram

Surrounded by fascinating aircraft, this year’s concert pays tribute to the people and the music of the Air Force.

Admission is $20; children under 12 free of charge. Door sales will be available on the day but seating is limited. Pre-booking is recommended either through Dash Tickets www.dashtickets.co.nz or from the Air Force Museum.

We have five double passes to this concert to give away. Just phone Helen 960 8829 or email helen@woolstonbrass.org by the 15th of April to go into the draw.

Sunday 29 April

Canterbury Provincial Brass Bands’ Association Solo Competition. At Selwyn House School

Sunday 6 May 4:00pm

Woolston Carnival ensemble to play at the Super 15 home game of the Canterbury Crusaders versus the Queensland Reds at Rugby League Park.

Saturday 30 June

All former members of Woolston Brass are invited to attend an Open Rehearsal at the Band Room.

Sunday 1 July 6:00 pm

Seriously Brass Concert at the McComb Performing Arts Centre Cashmere High School. Defending National Champions Woolston Brass join Woolston Concert Brass to perform their contest music prior to attending the 2012 New Zealand National Brass Band Championships. Admission $10.00 at the door.

Wednesday 4 July to Sunday 8 July

The New Zealand National Brass Band Championships - Timaru. Solo and Ensemble events on Wednesday and Thursday Band events on Friday and Saturday Band of the Year entertainment concert on Sunday. Details on www.brassnz.co.nz

Round the BandstandLife member and stalwart 1st Horn David (Dave) Suttie has decided to retire from the seat he has held in the band for nearly four decades. Dave joined the band in 1976 and has been an anchorman in the horn section ever since. A perennial soloist, Dave represented Woolston in countless solo and ensemble events over his 36 years in the band. In 2009 Dave was awarded the “Bandperson of the Year” Trophy after his magnificent, title-clinching performance with the band at the National Championships of that year. While top honours on the solo platform may have eluded Dave, his effortless range and strong, tuneful sound have always been considered a prized asset of the band’s – and a best-kept secret even! He will be greatly missed in the horn section. Our thanks and best wishes go to Dave and Jaelene.

There has been some reshuffling in the eupho/baritone section as we welcome back Davey Boyes to the principal Euphonium seat. First Baritone Connor Ellison has resigned from the band due to university commitments. Meanwhile Mark vander Klei has moved back to lead the baritone section while Ben Cuff returns to 2nd Eupho.

Editor of The Woolstonian Sarah Hickman has stepped down from the role to take up the opportunity to gain her teacher registration. We thank Sarah sincerely for the enthusiasm and efficiency she has displayed in the role. Sarah of course will continue to hold a principal seat in the band on flugel horn.

In November bass player Sam Pinder was re-elected Treasurer of the Canterbury Provincial Brass Bands’ Association with Caroline Blackmore being elected to the Association’s executive committee.

Congratulations to vocalist extraordinaire David Fiu and his bride Rebecca Urry who were married on the 8th of March, and also to John and Roseanne Gardner who were married on the 12th of January at St Andrew’s Church in Geraldine.

The start of the year has seen a few new faces around the bandstand as well as some returning players. Kyle Lawson, Raynor Martin and Louisa Moroney on cornet, Cathy Biddington on Tenor Horn and Jordan Seaton on Eb Bass – just like his dad Nigel. We hope these new players enjoy the experience!

A Tribute to Bruce WrightWe are saddened to record the passing of one-time player and long-time supporter Bruce William Wright, who died suddenly on Friday, January 27. Bruce first joined the band in 1978 during the “Waters’ Era” playing BBb bass. He was a consistent and determined starter in solo and ensemble events throughout the 1980s and into the ‘90s, meeting success as NZ Open BBb bass Champion in 1986 and 1987. Bruce also won the BBANZ veterans’ trophy in 1987 and 1990. His wife Margaret was an accomplished pianist who accompanied Bruce and a great many other Woolston soloists during their time with the band. Survived by Margaret and their two children Michael (a Woolston cornet player at one time) and Dorothy, Bruce has five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He will be fondly remembered as a cheerful, kind and generous man, a fine musician, and a great Woolstonian.

Barrie Aldridge 1939 – 2012Woolston Brass Life Member Barrie James Aldridge passed away on the morning of Saturday February 25. A member of Addington Brass at the time of his passing, Barrie represented New Zealand as a member of the 1962, 1974, 1980, 1985, 1989, 1990 and 1992 National Bands.

An eminent New Zealand bandsman, Barrie started his banding career under the tutelage of his father Vic with Derry’s Brass in 1950. In 1961 he joined Woolston and remained there until 2004 when he joined Addington Brass.

In 1959 he and Rodney Sutton won the 1959 Australian Duet title. Barrie went on to win the Australian Tenor Trombone Championship for that year.

Barrie won six NZ Tenor Trombone solo titles throughout his near life-long banding career, and was runner-up in this event no less than 14 times!

Alongside Tony Lewis and the late Des Hoy, Barrie amassed a staggering 21 Trombone Trio titles from 1953 to 1995. With Richard Hogarth added to the mix on Bass Trombone, the Woolston trombone quartet added seven more titles to the tally. With an extraordinary total of 35 group championship titles to their credit, the Skellerup Woolston/Woolston Brass trombone section, led by Barrie Aldridge, was for nearly three decades considered utterly invincible. The supremacy of its trombone section was no doubt integral to the band’s dominance of the contesting scene throughout this era.

Barrie had a huge appetite for life. In fact, some would say he had a huge appetite, period. Though there was never a scrap of fat on him, Barrie’s propensity for eating, although one of his less well-known traits, was the “stuff” of legend. Yet it’s no wonder his fuel consumption was high. While growing and maintaining a family, a profitable business as a Master Builder, and performing at top level banding, Barrie represented Canterbury on the Senior Men’s Hockey field from 1959 to 1978. Somehow, he also managed to find the time to play tennis as a Canterbury Representative from 1954 to 1970.

Barrie and his wife Janet were married in 1962. The National Band Tour of that year was their honeymoon! The couple have four children and seven grandchildren.

Brass Academy UpdatePlayers and parents returned to the Bandroom at the end of January to begin another busy year of music making. The first event for both the Concert Brass and Junior Band was a concert at Scarborough Reserve in Sumner as part of the Garden City SummerTimes Sunday Bandstand programme. Although the wind was cold and rain was in the air, both bands acquitted themselves well with the Concert Brass gaining praise from none other than Phil Johnston. As we go to print both bands will have performed again as part of Sunday Bandstand at the Central Lawn of the Botanic Gardens.

Our young players have the opportunity to attend the Canterbury Bands’ Association training weekend at the Blue Skies campsite in Kaiapoi from 23 to 25 March. Tutors for the weekend band camp are Nick Sharpe from the Nelson Vivace Youth Brass Band and Woolston’s Davey Boyes. You can guarantee that by the end of the weekend the youngsters will have sore lips (from playing) and will have made new friends from other Canterbury and Nelson bands. That’s what band camp is all about – as well as developing playing skills of course.

After the Concert Brass’s good showing (on the day) at the Canterbury Contest in November, musical director Steve Chapman is readying the band to compete at the National Championships in July. Steve obviously likes to be organized as rehearsal has already begun on the band’s own choice selection and the first (of perhaps many) motivating emails has been received by band members.

NZ National Championships 2012Test Music AnnouncedA Grade: Breath of Souls: Paul Lovatt-Cooper B Grade: Variations for Brass Band: R Vaughan Williams C Grade: Triptych: Philip Sparke

SOLO TEST MUSIC:

Eb Soprano Cornet Jenny Jones: W Rimmer Bb Cornet Championship Prelude and Capriccio: E Gregson Bb Cornet Amateur Song and Dance: Philip Sparke Flugel HornFantaisie En Mi Be mol: C Saint-Saens Tenor Horn At Hells Gate: Bertrand Moren Baritone Anastasia: Helen Johnson Euphonium Rustiques: E Bozza Tenor Trombone Piece in E Flat minor: J Guy Ropartz Bass Trombone Fancy Free: Clay Smith Eb Bass Sonata No1 In F Benedetto: Marcello Bb Bass Introduction and Allegro Spiritoso: Senaille

The Chief Adjudicator for the contest is Dr Robert Childs from Great Britain. Dr Childs last adjudicated in New Zealand at the Christchurch contest in 2004. This time he will bring his son David with him as his Assistant Adjudicator.

World Music Contest Invitation Exciting news as Woolston Brass has received an invitation to represent New Zealand in the brass band competition at the 2013 World Music Contest being held in Kerkrade, the Netherlands. This is a tremendous honour for the band as invitations usually go to the National Band of New Zealand, who won the event in 1985. The World Music Contest is held every four years and brings together thousands of brass, percussion and woodwind musicians from around the world to compete in stage and marching events over a three-week period in July.

Competing overseas is always a huge challenge for New Zealand bands and a huge effort must be made to raise the required funds. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to have Woolston Brass on stage at this world event to show not only their musicianship but also their tenacity in the aftermath of the Canterbury earthquakes?

2 PM Wednesday 25th April, 2012Air Force Museum, 45 Harvard Avenue, WigramAdmission $20 Children under 12 FREE

Book at: www.dashtickets.co.nz (Booking Fee May Apply) Pre-booking and door sales available at the Air Force Museum

Museum ExhibitionCanterbury bands have been looking through their archives to find interesting items and photographs for an exhibition at Canterbury Museum.

Brilliant Brass – Banding in Canterbury will open to the public on August 3. The aim of the exhibition is to gently remind the public of the role brass bands have played in Canterbury life over the past 130 years and to let them know that bands are still making music. The exhibition will run for three months.

There will be opportunities for the bands to perform in the Museum during that time.

Relics – Woolston’s black cat mascot and Sid Creigh’s 1950 contest programme

Canterbury Japan Day Images

Player Profile – Steve ChapmanSteve Chapman joined Woolston Brass on soprano cornet last year and has become a valuable member of the cornet section. He is also the conductor of Woolston Concert Brass.

When did you start playing cornet and why? Do you play any other instruments?

I started playing cornet at age eight. I had wanted to learn the drums but my mother wouldn’t allow it due to the noise issues! I began learning the piano at age four and still tinker away on the keys from time to time.

Have you always been playing in brass bands? What sort of musical groups have you been involved in?

I learnt the cornet through the local brass band in Whakatane so Brass Bands have always been part of my life since I began playing. I’ve been fortunate enough during my life to have performed with various groups: New Zealand Army Band, National Youth Band, National Youth Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, Christchurch Symphony and even The Exponents.

Why do you like being a part of Woolston Brass? What does it mean to you to be a Woolstonian?

Woolston Brass is the epitome of brass banding in the country. It is full of dedicated people who turn up regularly and practice regularly. Each individual knows it is their responsibility to have their own parts right and if not, they will be exposed. Woolston demands the highest standards of playing from each member and that is an attitude that I can totally relate to.

Favourite piece of music and why?

Hmmmm. So many. Brass band wise I would have to say Bram Gay’s Les Preludes that was the test piece last year. The piece was beautifully orchestrated and was a masterful test of intonation and balance of the ensemble. It was the first time in many years that I had massive chills going down my spine as the band played through the final page on stage!

What is the highlight of your musical career so far?

Again, a tough one. I had the privilege of serving in the NZ Army Band for 12 ½ years and within that time there were so many amazing highlights! But, if I had to choose one then it would be playing ‘Reveille’ at the dawn service at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli in 2008 – just the most moving experience and one I shall always treasure.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love my sport. In my spare time (something I used to have before I started teaching!) I like to get out to the golf course as much as possible. Spending time with my fiancée, April, is wonderful too!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time with life/brass bands?

I am sure that I will still be in brass bands to one degree or another. I am enjoying the challenge of conducting at the moment and I would like to think that my career will develop further in that role but I will always be a player at heart! Life-wise I would like to think I will still be in the education system somewhere. I have a real passion for teaching and hopefully I might even be pretty good at it!

Any advice for the next generation of musicians?

You will only ever get out of music what you put into it! No matter how important you think sight-reading is, it’s more important! Remember that you can’t learn everything by watching and listening to your band conductor – there are some pretty good institutions of learning out there that offer certificates, diplomas and degrees in music so don’t be afraid to go to them to enhance your musical language and understanding.

Clockwise: Playing at the Flaxwood Festival, Gary Pinker (bass) and Caroline Blackmore (vocals)

1st Horn Emma Caunter dresses appropriately for Canterbury Japan Day

Woolston Brass, 37 Dampier Street, Woolston, Christchurch, New Zealand.Telephone (03) 389 6340 (Band Room). Established in 1891. Music Director: Graham Hickman.

P.O. Box 8187, Riccarton, Christchurch. Email: info@woolstonbrass.org Website: www.woolstonbrass.org

Contacts: Chairman – Gary Pinker: gary@woolstonbrass.org M.D. – Graham Hickman graham@woolstonbrass.co.nz

Acknowledgements:We are grateful to these individuals and organizations for their continued support:

Seat SponsorsPrincipal Cornet Adrienne, Lady Stewart Solo Cornet 1 Simon Hocking House of Travel Solo Cornet 2 Henshaw Developments Trust Solo Cornet 3 Lane Neave Lawyers Solo Cornet 4 Gilbert and Patricia Glausiuss Soprano Cornet Derek and Lynn Anderson Repiano Cornet Hans and Carolyn Schuitman Second Cornet 1 The Ron Ball Charitable Trust Second Cornet 2 Judith and Graeme Coomer Third Cornet 1 Jenny and Lindsay Moir Third Cornet 2 J Ballantyne & Co Solo Trombone J Ballantyne & Co Second Trombone Robert and Valerie Blackmore Bass Trombone Michael and Lesley Pettersen Principal Euphonium Anonymous Second Euphonium Triple Forte First Baritone Alan Reay Consultants Second Baritone Coupland’s Bakeries Ltd Flugel Horn HongKong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Solo Tenor Horn Murray and Bernice Ireland First Tenor Horn David and Hilary Stock Tenor Horn 2 Keith Laugeson Charitable Trust Tenor Horn 3 Christchurch Casino Principal E flat Bass Archibald Motors Second E flat Bass Hunter Furniture Principal B flat Bass Prof. John Ritchie Second B flat Bass Ron and Audrey Harris Percussion 1 The Ron Ball Charitable Trust Percussion 2 David and Robyn Marriott Percussion 3 Bell, Lamb and Trotter Funeral Directors

Project Supporters:Christchurch City Council, The Trusts Charitable Foundation, The Canterbury Community Trust, New Zealand Community Trust, The Eureka Trust, The Southern Trust, Mainland Foundation

Next issue informationThe next Woolstonian will be released in June 2012. To receive your copy via email or if you would like to join our email database for concert alerts please contact Helen Hoy 03 960 8829 helen@woolstonbrass.org.

Special Note of ThanksAll at Woolston Brass would like to acknowledge the following trusts for the grant money we have received:

Canterbury Community Trust for a flugel horn and percussion instruments

Rescue Services Limited for music-stand lights

First Sovereign Trust for a digital piano

Endeavour Community Trust for marching drums

Download Your Support!MP3 tracks from our CDs, Millennium, ANZAC, Sacred, and Rhythm ‘n’ Brass are available on-line from the world’s leading music distributors, CD Baby, Amazon.com and iTunes. You can download single tracks for about 90 cents or full albums for $10!Best of all, the money comes straight back to the band, so every on-line purchase you make helps us get by! This is such a great way to show your support for the band, efficient, fun, and you get to collect lots of great music!Physical audio CDs will still be available for purchase at our concerts.

Flaxwood Festival 2012