Canterbury Brass News
Dwayne Bloomfield – Musical Director
2016 was another busy year so a big thank you to all the players for
their time and commitment, but also a shout out to all partners and
supporters because with your continued support it would be harder
to achieve the results we have.
A rocky start to the year with the Summertimes concerts saw the
band shaken about on Valentine’s day but didn’t miss a beat
especially Angela Reimer playing the last few bars of her solo at the
end of Bohemian Rhapsody which resulted an appreciative crowd
afterwards as the band stayed calm.
Preparations then began for the Southland contest and this proved a
successful exercise in getting the band contest fit. The band
performed very well on stage and bonded by enjoying a social
weekend away at the same time.
A repeat performance with the Plainsmen built on the previous
year’s success with good numbers attending and appreciative
response afterwards from the audience. A good number of the band
were then involved with the National Contest helping other bands to
a mixture of results but were all appreciated by the bands they
performed with.
Next on the yearly programme was the Auckland and Canterbury
Provincial contests and Auckland was a successful venture proving
to be a great weekend away and the band rising to the occasion
gaining first in the test piece with a polished performance on the
day. I’ts hard work competing in two contests in two weekends, and
while still a good performance the following weekend in Rangiora,
it was missing the gloss from the previous weekend, however the
band can be proud of tackling a difficult piece in Vita Destructor.
I believe attending these provincial contests has helped build the
band for 2017 while proving enjoyable as well and should be
continued in the future. Thanks must go to Kevin and the committee
for pursuing these ventures and the organisation that goes into
getting the band to and from.
Players have had other successes with selection in the Secondary
Schools Band the National Youth Band and the National Band. It’s
great to continue to have the band represented at these levels.
As the band has developed throughout the year it’s been great to
welcome new players to the band and see steady numbers at practise
and we look forward to this year’s national contest in Wellington
which will take extra commitment to achieve the results we are
aiming for. With new uniforms on the way, a new committee and a
great attitude around the bandroom it bodes well for success next
year.
Regards
Dwayne
Leopard Coachlines Canterbury Brass – Jan 2017 - Pg 1
www.leopard.co.nz
Secretary/Treasurer Profile –
Mike Reimer
Mike is a life member of Addington Brass and was secretary,
treasurer and band sergeant at various times as well as playing
trombone for over 30 years. Mike reluctantly moved from banding
when his children arrived so Angela could continue playing but he
has never lost touch with banding and has supported Angela and all
three of their children at numerous band events since then. As well
as his banding history Mike has run a successful taxi business for 30
years only recently selling it and retiring from taxi driving. At one
time Mike and Angela owned 5 taxis within Gold Band Taxis and
managed 10 employees. As you can read he is well qualified to take
the position of secretary/treasurer at Canterbury Brass and is looking
forward to being more involved in a Brass Band again.
Leopard Coachlines Canterbury Brass – Jan 2017 – Pg 2
www.leopard.co.nz
Auckland provincial contest
Flying up on Saturday morning and returning on Sunday night, it
was a quick trip for Canterbury Brass which yielded pleasing results
for all those involved. It was a challenging competition against two
other Auckland bands for the A grade honours. Our performance
featured our major work, “Vita Destructra” by kiwi composer Todd
Smith. This piece was performed to such a high level that
Canterbury Brass won the major work section. The band’s solo item,
“The Sun Has Got His Hat On” which was performed exceptionally
well by our E flat bass player Mathew Harris, was very well
received and placed third overall.
It was a very enjoyable weekend, with Saturday night spent in the
Doolan Brothers bar watching the All Blacks and enjoying a beer.
Personally, this was my first trip to a contest with Canterbury Brass.
I found this experience very enjoyable. This trip was only possible
thanks to the work of the committee. To come home from Auckland
having won a trophy was the icing on the cake and I very much look
forward to the Wellington nationals early next year.
Jimmy Reimer
Leopard Coachlines Canterbury Brass – Jan 2017 – Pg 3
www.leopard.co.nz
CPBBA Provincials
Write a report he says, on the CPBBA Provincials, well easier said
than done. What can you write about Rangiora? I do recall driving
out to Rangiora on 24th September 2016 and wondering what the
hall was going to be like as I hadn’t played in the Rangiora Town
Hall since the completion of the refurbishments in 2015. It was
small but it was acoustically nice to play in and a great size for the
contest. The Provincial Contest was divided into the traditional
“Hymn and Test” section and then the “Entertainment” section later
in the day when the music adjudicator, Nigel Weeks, was joined by
local celebrity Barry Corbett as the entertainment judge.
We performed Vita Destructa and In Perfect Peace, a repeat of our
successful Auckland Brass Band Association programme. It was
always going to be a big ask to repeat a piece of the complexity and
musicality of Vita Destructa in a second performance in a month.
The band performed well and came off stage feeling they had played
a creditable performance of both the hymn and test. Nigel
commented on the strength of some sections and the exceptional
musicality in some difficult parts. The Ensemble sound in the hymn
was also noted.
For the evening performance we played a mix of solo, ensemble and
band pieces. Any Brass Band entertainment concert must have a
march and Queensbury was a popular choice with the audience and
the band. We were able to showcase two of our younger members,
Zac on Baritone in Suo Gan and Matt playing the Eb Bass solo The
Sun Has Got His Hat On, as well as the flying fingers of the cornet
section in Armenian Firedance. I suspect the antics during Hornpipe
Humoresque added to the entertainment value and we placed first
equal for the entertainment points of the Entertainment Section.
We also discovered that Rangiora has A Pocket Full of Spices, the
best Indian Restaurant in the Waimakariri area and their speciality
Rangiora Curry which comes highly recommended by the trombone
and bass sections.
In summary, nice venue, great music, talented youngsters, amazing
curry and good results. Thank you Rangiora for hosting a great
contest.
Angela Reimer
Leopard Coachlines Canterbury Brass – Jan 2017 – Pg 4
www.leopard.co.nz
National Secondary Schools Band 2016
Emma McMorran reports –
2016 AGM
This was my fourth National Secondary School’s Brass Band. The
camp was held at Burnham military camp over the school holidays. I
always enjoy going to these camps as not only do I benefit from
them musically but I get to catch up with friends and meet new
people. The conductor of this year’s camp was Mark Davey, his first
year taking the job on. I thought he did a really good job of making
the practices seem not that long due to his quick-witted humour.
Georgia Hoy and Joe Thomas were great managers at the camp.
On the 2nd of October we performed our concert at the new
Christchurch venue “the piano”. After the concert the band awards
were announced and the tenor horns won the best section. Overall,
my time at the NSSBB was great and I would encourage any young
brass players to audition.
Retiring Chairperson, Kevin McMorran (centre)
Retiring Patron, David Cox, MNZM (left)
Mrs Cox, (right)
Leopard Coachlines Canterbury Brass – Jan 2017 – Pg 5
www.leopard.co.nz
Chris Campbell receiving Life Membership of Canterbury Brass
Tony Garing, incoming Chairperson
Leopard Coachlines Canterbury Brass – Jan 2017 – Pg 6
www.leopard.co.nz
Seat Sponsorship
band will be witnessed by many, both in Christchurch and
Leopard Coachlines Canterbury Brass has created an
opportunity for our supporters to make a real contribution to
the band. We would like to extend an invite to you to become
further afield.
Please contact Martin Close on 027 2238343 if you can help.. We
would greatly appreciate your support.
involved.
Canterbury Brass is re-launching a Seat Patronage
programme. Individual player seats are available for
Upcoming Events
sponsorship, with the intent of raising funds to meet ongoing
To kick off the year we have two Christchurch City Council
annual costs. These costs encompass contesting, marketing
and instrument maintenance expenses. The costs of normal
seats are $300 and principal seats $500. For a business this
cost can be claimed for GST and as a business expense. For
individuals 33% can be claimed as a charitable donation.
Summertimes Summer Bandstand events:
19 Feb 12.30pm to 2pm - Scarborough
12 March 12.30pm to 2pm - Margaret Mahy Family
Playground
See you there!
There are also other benefits for the sponsor in terms of
acknowledgement.
Leopard Coachlines Canterbury Brass is one of Christchurch’s
proudest and most dedicated bands. We are also one of its
busiest. With numerous public performances throughout the
year, we can safely say that our sponsors’ affiliation with the
Leopard Coachlines Canterbury Brass – Jan 2017 – Pg 7