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 4 0 J U N E 2 0 0 9

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

Napier National Contest 2009. by Leigh Martin – No 2 Bb Bass (Retired)

SO WHAT DAY DOES CONTEST START? For Woolston, competition started on Tuesday, our travel day. 10am was tee-off time at the Windsor Golf Club.The pairings of Johnston and Seaton, Hickman (K ) and Roberts, Pheloung and Pinder battled it out for the honour of being Top Golfers. The bass boys outclassed the cornet team with Pheloung and Pinder just out for the exercise. This provided endless entertainment as each shot was relived in the Koru lounge prior to our departure for Napier that evening.Teamwork is an important part of Woolston Brass, and Phil happily assisted the air hostess with the safety briefing on the flight. Another class act from a class player – enjoyed by all.Arriving at the hotel provided some nervous moments. A minor hitch over the booking - thanks Simon, but more importantly who would I be rooming with? Would it be a repeat of FAAB, with snorer extraordinaire Nigel Seaton, but no, my luck had changed and Mert and I settled into Room 406.Solo and Party events were held on Wednesday and Thursday. Thanks to GH, 98% of us were involved. Our Pro Trombone, Gary McPhee, found himself on stage sight-reading his ensemble part! This was to be Gary’s first win with Woolston. Wednesday’s highlights included Nigel and Phil’s 1st in the open Duet, Hamish’s win in the Junior Percussion, Raynor’s win in the Junior Cornet and the young foursome of Thomas, Raynor, Roseanna and Byron

gaining second place in the Open Quartet.In the evening Nigel and Phil competed in the Simon Hocking House of Travel Invitation Slow Melody. It was held at the Mission Estate Winery which provided an inspirational setting for a wonderful night of music. Thursday was solo day for the big boys and girls. Phil secured his spot in the Champion of Champions winning the Bb Bass title. Somewhat lucky since he had to wear a new marching uniform! We had a spate of second places: Roseanna (Horn), Thomas (Flugel Horn), Me (BbBass) and Byron (EuphoniumOur “other” Eupho player wrote in his programme during Byron’s performance, “If you don’t win I’ll change to Baritone!” Move over Vince. Our seconds continued that evening with Raynor getting second in Junior Champion of Champions and Phil second in the Open Champion of Champions.Friday commenced with the Street March. With the sun shining on our new uniforms, we successfully followed Graeme Bremner down the main street of Napier.Our Hymn and Test that evening were secure performances with 4BarsRest’s comments putting us in second place. The own choice on Saturday proved to be a highlight. Dreams was everything we could ask for: challenging, exciting – and a contest winner. ALL of our soloists played superbly but it was Dave Suttie who carried the day by nailing the fiendish horn solo. A four point lead in the Own Choice won us the A grade Championship.Sunday saw us compete in the Band of the Year gaining second place to the local Band.

And that’s all I want to say about that!Thanks must go to our supporters and helpers - Bob, Graeme Coomer, Leanne, and John for shifting percussion gear and taxi-ing us to solos.Kevin Hickman summed up everyone’s thoughts when he said we were “pleased to get a win for Graham”.What am I saying? – It was great to get a win for me! What a way to exit the best band in the country!

Contest “Pros” Gary McPhee (trombone) and Shane Foster (soprano). Thanks guys!

Events CalendarSunday June 21, 2 pm Champion Brass Baptist Church Hall, 111 East Belt, Rangiora. A combined concert by New Zealand’s Champion A and D Grade Brass Bands - Woolston Brass and Rangiora Brass. Tickets $10 (Seniors, Students and Children $5)

June 26 - 28 Champions of Brass Solo Contest Christchurch Art Gallery CPBBA Solo Competition - hear Canterbury’s top brass soloists and ensembles battle it out in this beautiful venue.

August 10 - 16 Professor David King here in Canterbury David King (the Tiger Woods of brass banding) will be here in Christchurch for a week of master classes, conductor workshops, one-on-one lessons, the Big Day Out, and a concert with us, Woolston Brass, on Saturday August 15.

September 12-13 Festival of Brass Provincial Contest This year the provincial band festival will be held at the Ngaio Marsh Theatre. Come along to hear Canterbury’s top bands perform.

Saturday October 17 7.30 pm Spring Fever Christchurch Town Hall Say farewell to the dark days of winter. Celebrate new beginnings with a joyful concert of music for springtime. Hear lively choral works by Halley and Holman, and enjoy the sparkling sound of the world class Woolston Brass. The Choir welcomes to this concert the young singers who are their 2009 student scholars. Tickets: $49, $43, $32, $21. Book at Ticketek Ph 3778499 Sunday July 5 3.30 pm National Band Farewell Concert Christchurch Town Hall Salvation Army City Citadel Corner Durham Street and Chester Street West. One and only concert before attending World Championships in Kerkrade, Holland

What a marvellous change from the past couple of Anzac concerts! This one was unique in content and entirely fitting for the 25th of April, both in musical content and the manner in which it was presented.

Played before a large and appreciative audience in our Town Hall Auditorium, the concert opened with Reveille from an Army bandsman, then from Woolston Brass, under the baton of maestro Hickman, God Defend New Zealand preceded by Norman Goffin’s great fanfare, sadly neglected elsewhere on so many occasions.

Two indigenous World War II songs were followed by Dwayne Bloomfield’s Behold the Narrows from the Hill, an evocative musical exposition of New Zealand troops reaching the heights of Chunuk Bair to glimpse for the first (and only time) the Narrows, the Dardanelles waterway never to be conquered during that ill-fated military campaign.

Dwayne Bloomfield also arranged Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings. If you’re familiar with the work, you’ll realize how difficult it can be for a brass band to play adequately. This beautiful and sombre work from the orchestral repertoire was never seen as being anywhere near what a brass band could, or should attempt. Woolston gave it reverential treatment, proof positive that in the right hands, almost anything is possible. Our band’s playing was in every way a tribute to the fallen.

Well, it was an Anzac concert, so the bracket of popular songs from both world wars which followed was just right for the occasion, as was the singing of Victoria Levermore with the band in The White Cliffs of Dover, reminiscent of Dame Vera Lynn to us oldies. Woolston ended the first half with a rousing rendition of – what else? – Alford’s Colonel Bogey.

Our band’s playing was worthy of the current champion band of Australasia, despite, perhaps, some over-enthusiastic playing from the back of the band. My companion, a long-retired Woolstonian exponent of the baritone, remarked that this was an “historical phenomenon”, to which, in all modesty, I declined comment.

The New Zealand Army Band under the aforementioned Bloomfield began the second half with a Glenn Miller medley, opening with St Louis Blues and ending with In The Mood, the band playing in the Glenn Millar style throughout, with a bass guitar adding tonal quality. Then, Poppies and Pohutukawa, apparently a team composition in which Bloomfield was involved. With clever lighting changes and even a searchlight, When Eagles Dare, Hogan’s Heroes, Lawrence of Arabia, 633 Squadron, The Great Escape and A Bridge Too Far followed. This band is expert in choreography and presentation, and extremely well led.

Composed for the return to New Zealand of the remains of The Unknown Warrior, Bloomfield’s Fernleaf Headstones, followed by (a newie to most of us) NZ Soldier’s Song by a D. McLeod, well sung by ex-Woolstonian Sergeant Tyme Marsters. Then, the piece de resistance, Woolston and Army Band massed playing Bloomfield’s latest composition, Passchendaele October 12th 1917, commemorating New Zealand’s greatest loss of life in battle, dwarfing the Gallipoli fiasco. This was a battle in musical terms, taking the audience on an emotional journey with all the sound and lighting effects, which detracted not at all from Bloomfield’s music. This opus was conducted by Graham Hickman, appropriately attired in his uniform of a New Zealand Army warrant officer, as was his colleague Dwayne Bloomfield.

A Belgian delegation being present for the occasion, a Belgian naval officer, chairman of the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 Society, read the Ode to the Fallen, an Army bandsman played the Last Post and Rouse and then the massed band played that great Woolston march, Rimmer’s Knight of the Road. Maestro Hickman then conducted the massed band in the Retreat Ceremony, an impressive finale to a marvellous performance by two great bands, individually and massed, one professional and the other of undoubted professional standard. As a massed band they were terrific!

And so ended a concert unique in content and entirely fitting for the 25th of April. It was good to see our band wearing the traditional Woolston maroon and gold.

REVIEW – ANZAC Remembered - Denis Dewe

Christchurch Town Hall2 PM Saturday, 25th April 2009

Adults $20, Senior Citizens $15,Students $10, Family Concession $50

Book at Ticketek 377 8899 *Booking Fee May Apply

A young Akira Hirasawa with a French horn player destined to be his wife!

Catherine Neal writes this regular feature in the Woolstonian – watch this space for the next illuminating player profile.

This edition I talked to Akira Hirasawa, our second trombone player. He has been with the band for several years but his musical career started in his homeland of Japan. Read on to find out more.

Q: When did you start playing a brass instrument and why did you start? A: On proceeding to Junior High School in Japan, my father suggested me to join a school concert band. I was 12 years old when I started playing the tuba there. A year later, I started playing the trombone as well, and a couple of years later I decided to concentrate on the trombone.

Q: Were you involved in brass bands in Japan? If not why did you make the move to a brass band? A: Yes, I was one of the establishing members of Osaka Harmony Brass which was the only Japanese band invited FABB last year. Although brass band activities in Japan are still minor compared to the concert band population, I hope and believe they are getting more popular.

Q: Are you mainly from an orchestral background? Can you play any other instruments? A: My main background is concert band, however, playing in orchestras is teaching me many things. I can play the euphonium somewhat. I used to play tuba, french horn, saxophone and flute but I play none of these very well now.

Q. Why do you like being a part of Woolston? What does it mean to you to be a Woolstonian?A: Because of our sincerity towards music making. I would like to pursue trombone playing. With Woolston’s attitude of uncompromising approach, being a member of Woolston is a challenge to me.

Q: Favourite piece of music and why?A: It is rather hard to choose an absolute favourite... however, I do love the piano arrangement Jesu, joy of man’s desiring. I heard that it was an encore of Dinu Lipatti’s legendary Last Recital.

As for trombone music, Gyorgy Tibor’s Introduction, there are eight variations played by Paris’ trombone quartet. It is my “eye-opener” of trombone quartets.

Q: Highlight of your musical career so far?A: Of course playing as a member of champion band in several contests including Dunedin (2006), Napier (2009) and FABB (2008). Also, several concerts

Player Profile – Akira Hirasawa

The Doors

as a temporary casual player for CSO from 2008 has been a good experience.

As for my career in Japan, my wife insists that meeting her in a municipal concert band in Osaka is the culmination! So, the acceptance as a member of a professional trombone ensemble (Donor Trombone Ensemble) is the definitely the second.

Q: What are some of the things that you like doing in your spare time?

A: Thinking about mankind future. What is happiness? What is welfare? What is peace? How can we cope with many conflicts among different cultures and different faiths?

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years time with life/brass bands? A: I may spend more for my leisure. As for my trombone playing, I believe I would continue (trying) to improve with my new Shires trombone (which I recently ordered).

Visitors to the bandroom can’t fail to notice the magnificent new doors that greet them. While the band was away at the Napier contest, stalwart Murray Scambary was beavering away replacing the original mock-leadlight doors which had succumbed to misuse! We are truly grateful to Murray for giving so freely of his time and craftsmanship for the band’s benefit.

The glass windows have been sand-etched with the band’s logo and our Maori motto “Tohea kia kaha” (Persevere, so there is Strength). This maxim has been with us as long as anyone can remember, but many of the text set were unaware of its existence, so the fact that it has been dusted-off and given prominence, has met with widespread approval!

Thanks are due to Jim Coe of Signbiz who kindly donated his services and applied the design free of charge. Cheers Jim!

www.signbiz.co.nz (03) 385 7857 sales@signbiz.co.nz

Conductors Down the Line. On-line!Thanks to Denis Dewe, an on-line short history of the band has been catalogued through the collected biographies of past Condutors. Much of the information presented is drawn from Denis’ own book, “Brass Supreme” which was first published at the time of the band’s centennial celebrations in 1991. Pictured here are: Alex Lithgow, W.V Siddall, Dick Estall, Louis Fox, Frank John, Dave Christensen, Tom Kirk-Burnnand, Bill Stewart, Brian Barrett, Mervyn Waters, Ken Smith and David Gallaher. You can visit the site at: www.woolstonbrass.org/history.aspx

PHOTO GALLERY

Saturday night in Napier finally caught up with these former

revellers who made good use of the floor while waiting for the bus.

Our fabulous horn section all “glammed up” for the ball

Glenda Johnstone escapes the contest intensity!

... and our equally fabulous eupho/baritone section !

A sleep -deprived Rosey catches forty winks

Know the face... can’t quite place the uniform – or the instrument!

Practice makes perfect

Band!

This year the Woolston Brass Black Tie Ball at Bev and Ken Loader’s Gethsemane Gardens went off with a roar. A jumping night was had by all; even the band appeared to be having a hoot!

The evening began with drinks and nibbles in the “Arktivity” Lounge. What a venue! Surrounded by beautiful natural wood and the animals of the ark, all were swept up by the occasion. Guests then moved on downstairs to the ballroom deep in the hull of the ark - the “Arkassion Ballroom”. The band (looking swish in waistcoats) proceeded to serenade the diners while they feasted on the sumptuous buffet.

The evening moved from strength to strength with the music getting louder and faster as diners finished dining. Toes started tapping and before anyone could help themselves half the crowd were on the dance floor. Dancing styles varied, which is hardly surprising considering the age range of the dancers (over five decades).

The instrumentalists were fantastic and special mention must be made of Marc Sam on keyboards and Jason Shortland on drum-kit. The singers, Dave Fiu and Victoria Levermore, really topped off the show with professional performance after professional performance. The music flowed nicely from song to song with the band in tune with the dancers (who became ‘singers’ by the end of the night). Only once were the ‘singers’ caught out, when the band snuck in a sneaky modulation half way through Hey Baby. Luckily the guiding voice of Dave Fiu was there to lead us back into the right key.

Tell me that this isn’t a unique experience! – an event where everyone down to a man is dressed for a ball, all are dancing together despite being born decades apart, surrounded by the sounds of beautiful live music, in an ark, atop a hill overlooking one of the best views in the world. Not a bad combined effort - well done Bev, Ken and the Woolston Band!

In early December 2008 fifty-nine young musicians from around the world aged between sixteen and twenty-five took part in the 20th Annual Gisborne Music Competition for solo orchestral instruments.

The competition involved two knockout rounds leaving three to contest the final. Soloists each submitted a balanced programme of which the jurors selected 25 minutes worth for the first round. For the second round the jurors again selected the music for 30 minutes worth. Finalists, along with the jurors, then selected a 35-40 minute programme.

The first prize for the competition was $12,500. Also up for grabs were section awards including $500 for best brass player. Four players waved the brass flag among the mainly string and woodwind field. They were Thomas Eves (Trumpet), David Mueller-Cajar (French Horn), Luke Christiansen (Trombone) and Byron Newton (Euphonium/Tenor Tuba). Byron and Thomas are members of Woolston Brass. Like David, they are currently completing their performance music degrees at Canterbury University. Luke is formerly a member of Pelorus Trusts Brass.

Out of the fifty-seven musicians to start, only sixteen made it through to the second round. Two of these were David and Byron, unfortunately neither made the final, but it was still a great achievement to make the top sixteen. It was especially gratifying for Byron, as he was the first ever euphonium player to compete in the competition. He also won $500 as the best brass player and had his second round performance recorded by Radio NZ Concert.

This world-class competition has been a stepping-stone for many young musicians into professional careers, including David Bremner who came third in 1997. It would be great to see more young brass band players entering this event.

During the Competition Byron performed: Allegro Spiritoso (Senaille), Andante e Rondo Ungarese (von Webber), Concerto for Euphonium (Horovitz), Fantasy for Euphonium (Sparke), Peace (Golland), Reverie (Young) and Partita Veneziana (Wilby).

For more info visit: www.gisbornemusiccompetition.com

Byron Wins Brass AwardBlack Tie Ball by Sarah Hickman

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. www.woolstonbrass.org

Next Issue InformationThe next Woolstonain will be released in September 2009. To receive your copy via email, or if you have any contributions, please phone Sarah Hickman on 366 1566 or email: hickman.sarah@gmail.com

Contacts: Chairman – Gary Pinker gary.pinker@vodafone.net.nz

Musical Director – Graham Hickman grahamhickman@xtra.co.nz

2009 WOOLSTONIAN SUBSCRIPTIONFriends and other subscribers are reminded that the annual subscription fee of $25 is now due for this publication.

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Woolston personnel changesSince March there have been several changes within the ranks of the band.

Caroline Blackmore who helped the band for the recent New Zealand National Contest has officially joined the ranks of the band. Welcome!

Leigh Martin has returned to New Plymouth where they will certainly welcome his big bass sound and friendly smile.

Brent Hoy has headed north and joined the Wanganui Band. We wish him well in his travels.

Thomas Eves is spending some time in Wellington in the near future to expand his musical education, Rainor Martin will be stepping up to the flugel horn seat in the mean time.

“Seriously Brass” Concert at the Aurora Centre