Esprit de Corps
ISSN: 2382-1809
New Zealand Army Band Powles Road Burnham Military Camp
Burnham 7600
New Zea l a nd Arm y Ba n d Ne w s l e tter
Ph: (03) 363 0200
Fax: (03) 363 0193
Email: [email protected]
Issue 1 April 2016
Kia Ora readers,
Welcome to the first Esprit de Corps for the year. After a busy end to the year that
included a most enjoyable welcome home parade for the victorious All Blacks,
military parades in Trentham, Burnham, Linton and Waiouru and a performance at the
Steinlager New Zealand rugby awards, the band enjoyed a well earned break over
Christmas to relax with family and friends. As you will read in the upcoming pages the
band had to hit the ground running on our return from annual leave to perform in the
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Melbourne and Wellington.
As for comings and goings, the unit has farewelled Pte Andrew Yorkstone for good this
time. Andrew had taken a year’s unpaid leave to study at Victoria University and has
decided to continue his study full time.
On the plus side we welcome back from long term unpaid leave Andrews brother LCpl
Ross Yorkstone. Pte Kyle Lawson will also be returning to the unit in early May after a very
successful year as principle cornet for the Brighouse and Rastrick’s band in England.
We have also welcomed two new members into the ranks, PTEs Fairweather, Taylor
and Cullen. You will read some more about these three on the following pages. The unit
has said a temporary good bye to CPL Vaea Peterson who has had a year’s unpaid
leave approved to study at Canterbury University.
Congratulation to LCpl Cameron Lee and LCpl Joseph Thomas who were both
promoted in November. Both of these individuals perform to the highest level musically
and both hold important roles outside of the bandroom. Cam is the UPF Treasurer,
Electronic Communication IC and Unit History Notes IC. Joe holds the position of
Social Club IC and is a prolific member of the arranger’s cell. Well done, men for a well
deserved promotion.
As usual the next few months will be very busy with a trip to London for a 90th birthday
celebration for QEII and yet another trip to Scotland for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
On behalf of the New Zealand Army Band I hope this newsletter finds you all fit and well.
Esprit de Corps!!
Editor
Unit Solo Competition
and Formal Dinner
In this issue
Pg 2:
Unit Solo Competition and
Formal Dinner
Pg 3: E1030082 Pte Andrew
Thomas Yorkstone
Dental Corps
Pg 4: AWQ EDC
Pg 5:
Canterbury Charity Hospital
Trust Ball
New Truck Signage
Pg 6: Linton Open Day – OCS
March out week – Steinlager
Rugby awards
Pg 7: Royal Edinburgh Military
Tattoo ‘Down Under’
Pg 8:
Army Golf Regionals
Pg 9: New Recruits
Pg 10: Memoirs of a Private (w)
Pg 11-13: Letter from New Zealand
Army Band Association
Ritchie McCaw and the
band
Pg 14:
Youth Band
Pg 15: New Zealand Army Band
“Plays it Big” in Nelson
Pg 16:
A Day in the Life ...
Marketing Cell IC:
Cpl Kevin Hickman
This year the New Zealand Army Band solo competitions will
be held at the Jim Carson Memorial Band Room Burnham
Camp on the 7th and 8th of July. The approximate timings for
these events are:
Thursday, 7 July:
0830hrs
Open Brass Section Aria Competition
1015hrs
Premier Brass Section Aria Competition
1330hrs
Rhythm Section Open & Technical Competition
Friday, 8 July:
0900hrs
Open Brass Section Concerto Competition
1300hrs
Premier Brass Section Concerto Competition
On completion of the solo events the unit will hold its annual formal dinner at the
Burnham Warrant Officers and Sergeants mess from 1815 at an approximate
cost of $40 per head. All past members are welcome to attend this event and
should email their interest to [email protected] by 31st May.
2 | Issue 1
Marketing Cell 2IC:
LCpl Joe Thomas
Social Media:
LCpl Cameron Lee
Marketing Assistants:
Pte Hettie Adams
Pte Georgia Hoy
Pte Campbell McKellar
Newsletter Editor:
Cpl Kevin Hickman
Front Cover:
SBW poses with Ptes Adams
and Hoy
E1030082 Pte Andrew Thomas Yorkstone
by Cpl K J Hickman
I first met Andrew Yorkstone (AY) on my first trip to Edinburgh in
2010, when he travelled to Scotland with his parents as a fresh faced
17 year old to watch older brother Ross preform at the REMT.
My first impression of AY was of a very friendly and eager young man who liked to
tell a yarn and couldn’t wait to join the unit. As it happened AY was one of the faster
recruitments that we have had and it was only a couple of short months later that he
turned up at Burnham Military Camp to start his career with the NZAB.
This is of course when we really got to know and appreciate AY for the amazing person
and musician that he is. It is fair to say that AY had a pretty rocky start to his career
spending plenty of one on one time with Drum Major of the day SSgt Phil Johnston.
On one particular occasion while on an overseas
tour DM noticed that AY’s uniform was not quite up
PTE Andrew Yorkstone
to scratch and asked him if he had ironed it? AY
answered “of course DM” DM a little perplexed asked “when!” to which AY replied “before I left
Christchurch DM”.
Of course like all new recruits AY soon learnt the standards that are required to be a member of
the unit, so much so that he was awarded the Triple M cup in 2014.
During his time with the band AY was selected for the New Zealand Youth Band, the National
Youth Orchestra and the New Zealand National Band. AY is also an accomplished pianist and
performed on keyboard with the band in a number of concerts.
Constable Yorkstone at your service
Andrew will mostly be remembered for his fine trombone playing. He is a real talent and we wish
him the best of luck in his future studies in performance trombone at Victoria University. I’m sure
that he will only get better and go a long way.
Dental Corps
by Pte G D Hoy
On the 6th of November we flew up to Wellington to take
part in the Royal New Zealand Dental Corps 100th Birthday
Commemorations.
To start the weekend the jazz ensemble performed at Wallaceville House
while the Dental Corp mixed and mingled over a few drinks. This group was
made up of Privates Hettie Adams, Joel Williams, Stu Macfarlane, Jack
Harre, Campbell McKellar, Corporal Jason Shortland and lead by Sergeant
Riwai Hina.
On Saturday we had parade rehearsals all morning. To mix things up
instead of playing our inspection music we sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to the
corp, which they loved. The parade took place on Saturday Afternoon on
the Trentham parade ground.
Past and present at the RNZDC Parade
The Quintet, made up of Private’s John Mason and Raynor Martin, Lance Corporal’s Marc Ellis and Brian Eckersley and Corporal
Chris Foster, performed during the Corps Formal Dinner. This took place on Saturday night in the main mess in Trentham. After the
dinner everyone moved through to the Warrant Officers and Senior Ranks Bar to dance the night away to our Dance Band.
3 | Issue 1
AWQ EDC
by LCpl Cameron Lee
October saw the band conduct
some annual military training.
This training is primarily weapons
based and is run by the Military
Training Manager, Corporal
Jason Shortland.
Training commenced in week 3 of October
with refresher lessons, led by the NZAB
military training instructors on the IW
Steyr i.e. stripping and assembling the
weapon, the weapon’s characteristics and
also shooting positions. Once the whole
band was comfortable with this, Corporal
Shortland organised for Lockheed Martin
to come to the bandroom and set up a
SSgt Phil Johnstone and others take aim
mobile weapons training system (MWTS)
so the band could practise TOET testing and also a mock AWQ (Annual weapons qualification). This ‘dry’ training (no ammunition)
proves highly valuable to us as we don’t get the chance to get our hands on weapons anywhere near as much as the wider army,
so when it comes to our AWQ we are prepared and confident to use live ammunition.
Week 4 saw the band in the very capable hands of Depot Company’s NCO’s. Depot COY are the 2/1 Battalion’s training unit and
are responsible for training RF recruits directly after their BASIC course on core infantry skills. Corporal Shortland had arranged with
Depot for us to spend a week on the range running LFTT (live fire toet testing) and the AWQ.
Monday morning started at 0730 uplifting weapons from the armoury and then being transported by UNIMOG vehicles to West
Melton Range. Upon arrival we had a safety briefing from the Range Safety Officer, then straight into a full dry TOET test. Once the
range NCO’s were happy with our weapon handling we were allocated ammunition and commenced the LFTT. Next came zeroing.
Zeroing can take anywhere between 5 and 50 rounds. Murphy’s Law - we ended up taking the whole day to have everyone zeroed.
Tuesday morning commenced again with the safety brief then straight into our AWQ. Due to the multi-nation exercise, Southern
Katipo 15, the Battalion’s CO Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Whakahoehoe and RSM Warrant Officer Class One Joseph Taipari joined
us out on the range to get AWQ qualified before the exercise. By Thursday lunch the whole NZAB was AWQ qualified with a
large majority of personnel gaining some very respectable scores considering the minute time spent on weapons. After lunch the
Depot COY NCO’s organised a friendly
competition shoot between Section
teams as a bit of fun to finish off the week.
Somehow the over 40’s took out the
competition?!
All in all the band had a great time out
on the range. A huge thank you goes to
Depot Company 2/1 RNZIR for making
the AWQ and the live fire weapons
training possible. Also a special thanks
to our outgoing Military Training Manager,
Corporal Jason Shortland.
Editors note: LCpl Lee is too modest to
write about himself so let me inform you
that he is the units top shot and was good
enough to earn his marksman badge. Well
done Cam!!
Shot DM!! SSgt Mitchell nails another target
4 | Issue 1
Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust Ball
by Cpl K J Hickman
The Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust (CCHT) provides
specialist health care services to as many people in
Canterbury as possible who have health care needs that they
cannot access through the public health system and cannot
afford private health care.
What has this got to do with the New Zealand Army Band I hear you ask ...
One of the more rewarding parts of our job is that from time to time when
operational duties allow the NZAB are able to support amazing civilian causes,
and on the 4th of December we got the opportunity to do just that by providing
musical support to the CCHT Charity Christmas Ball. Incidentally, the CCHT
Patron is past CDF His Excellency The Governor-General, Lieutenant General,
The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae.
PTE Williams belts out another hit
As usual Bandmaster
SSgt Phil Johnston had
the NZAB Big Band in top
form and the night proved
to be a great success for
the trust with all involved
having a fantastic night.
A significant amount of
money was raised for the
trust to help ensure that
they can keep funding
the amazing work that
is being done for our
community.
New Truck Signage
by Cpl K J Hickman
Our hard working truck has had a long overdue makeover with
some more up-to-date and modern imagery.
Many thanks to LCpl Sterling Waters from the Engineers for taking the photos and
our Drum Major SSgt Tristan Mitchel for being the driving force (no pun intended)
and creative mind overseeing this project.
Guitarist PTE McKellar in action
5 | Issue 1
Linton Open Day – OCS March out week – Steinlager
Rugby awards
by Cpl K J Hickman
Our traditional end of year tour to Waiouru for the Officer Cadet School
March Out Parade was book ended this year. Firstly there was a whistle
stop trip to Linton Military Camp to perform a big band concert at the Linton
Camp open day, and the week finished with a flight to Auckland to perform
at the New Zealand Rugby Unions awards night.
This week highlighted to me our mission statement and the values that we as a unit both current
and past are proud of.
The band performed in our big band setting at concerts in Linton and Waiouru, we then switched
into military band mode and performed to the high standard required on the parade ground at
the OCS Retreat and Graduation parades. Our brass ensemble performed at the OCS Graduates
dinner, and our fantastic dance band played until the wee small hours at the OCS Graduates Ball.
Early the next morning we were off to Auckland for another completely different gig and setting
for television that involved very long days of rehearsal and waiting (as is always the case when
rehearsing for a live television gig). This showcased the other side of the band with unique
marching and musical performances that I’m sure anyone who was at the event or watched it on
television will agree, really hit the mark.
All the best parts of our job wrapped up into 8 days. What a way to finish the year!
Campbell, there is something stuck
to you
NZ Army Band Mission Statement – “An elite military unit serving New Zealand with professional, versatile and innovative musical
performance.”
Rugby awards
Family Fun Days Concert, Linton
OCS rehearsal, Waiouru
6 | Issue 1
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo ‘Down Under’
by Pte McKellar
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo ventured away from the esplanade at Edinburgh castle for only the
fourth time in its history this year. The tattoo was staged at Melbourne’s Etihad stadium for the first
time ever, and also made a triumphant return to Wellington’s Westpac stadium after previously being
held there in 2000.
The scale was much larger in the stadiums than the esplanade in Edinburgh but was tied in with the home location by a full sized
replica of the Edinburgh castle as the backdrop of the event.
The complete cast for the tattoo consisted of more than 1200 performers and includes some of the world’s finest musicians from
the United Kingdom, Australia, Fiji, Norway, Switzerland, Tonga and New Zealand along with 200 top-flight highland dancers from
across Scotland, Australia and New Zealand. The Wellington event also included an NZ tri-service guard, and many behind the
scenes NZDF personnel.
For many Kiwis, a military tattoo is probably quite unfamiliar but this tour saw the REMT sell more tickets in Melbourne than U2,
Barbara Streisand, AC/DC or One Direction, and in Wellington, beat the record held by the same event 16 years ago to maintain the
status of the highest selling show in Wellington’s history. With a total of over 260,000 tickets sold, the military event is surely in the
minds of the population and the NZDF was represented impeccably at all levels.
The New Zealand Army Band performed in both the Melbourne and Wellington tattoo’s, whereas, Wellington was treated to a NZ triservice display featuring the bands of the Royal New Zealand Navy, New Zealand Army and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. This
is only the third time these three bands have performed together, the previous being in Wellington in 2000 for the Edinburgh tattoo,
and in 1974 performing for Her Majesty, the Queen.
Finale, REMT Wellington
7 | Issue 1
Army Golf Regionals
by Pte J A Seaton
Cpl Hickman and I were selected for the Southern golf team to compete in
the Army Golf Regionals held at the Te Marua golf club between the 28th of
February and the 4th of March
The first three days consisted of team events with Paired Foursomes in the morning and Match Play
in the afternoon. The team played fairly well earning a win against Central, a loss against Northern
and a close loss against Wellington. This gave us a 3rd place in the team events overall.
The last two days were individual playing Net, Stableford and Gross golf. I was competing in the
junior grade. I played well in the first round shooting 90 off the stick, giving me a two shot lead (in
my division) going into the second round. I played well again shooting 92 off the stick which gave
me a win by only one shot with Gavin Walkinshaw a close second. Capt Tane North played some
amazing golf and was the winner of the senior division by a whopping 15 strokes.
At the end of the competition week we were hosted at the Trentham mess for a formal dinner,
followed by a prize giving. Colonel James Kaio presented all the prizes and trophies. I won the Junior Championship Cup, the Alf
Creed Cup and the Burnham Cup. Colonel Kaio was pleasantly surprised when I mentioned my unit as he didn’t expect to see a
bandsman involved in army sport. Overall it was a great trip with some good results.
PTE Seaton receiving his awards from Colonel James Kaio
2016 SOUTHERN REGION GOLF TEAM
Back Row: Mr A. Graham, Pte J. Seaton, Cpl K. Hickman, Sgt J. Twentyman, SSgt J. Turipa, Mr G. Sweetman, Mr J. Berry, Mr J. Walkinshaw,
Front Row: Ms J. Champ, Pte S. Turner
Winners of: The Alf Creed Memorial Cup – Awarded to Pte J. Seaton, Army Band
The Burnham Cup - Awarded to Pte J. Seaton. Army Band
The Ladies Championship Cup – Awarded to Ms Jayne Champ, 3 CSSB
The Junior Championship Cup – Awarded to Pte J. Seaton Army Band
Selected For the 2016 New Zealand Army Team – SSgt J. Turipa, 3CSSB
8 | Issue 1
New Recruits
by Pte H R Adams
Pte Sebastian Taylor
Brought up in a little town called Levin, our newest member Sebastian Taylor is an outstanding musician. He has joined us on
the upright and electric bass which he has been playing for 8 years. At the age of 24 Seb has recently finished his Bachelor of
Musical Arts, Specialising in Jazz Bass Performance. He has done several nationwide tours with jazz bands and also performs in
Christchurch with a few cover bands.
Sebastian will be a great asset to the band and involved in not only our main brass band and big band, but also in our Dance band
and Jazz ensemble filling the shoes of Corporal Vaea Peterson who recently left us on long term leave.
Pte Bryce Fairweather
Another Australian has just entered the band, From Shellbour Harbour in NSW, at just 18 years of age Bryce Fairweather has shown
himself to be a star Euphonium player. Coming from a Brass Band background, Bryce has been playing Euphonium for 11 years
and has won many Australian National titles including solo Junior and Open Euphonium in 2012, 2014 and 2015. He has also taken
part in The Australian Nation Youth Band in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Bryce also has a certificate 3 in Music Tech Production and we
are very lucky to have him onboard.
Pte Hayden Barry Thomas Cullen
On April the 11th our newest recruit Hayden Cullen joined us on cornet. He originates from Cambridge and has been taught by his
father Barry from 1980’s national band fame. Hayden is the current New Zealand Amateur cornet champion and has been in two
New Zealand National Youth Bands. He will be a great edition to our star studded Trumpet/Cornet section. He is also a keen rugby
player and loves mountain biking and exploring the outdoors. Welcome aboard Hayden!
Ptes Taylor and Fairweather
Pte Cullen
9 | Issue 1
Memoirs of a Private (w)
by Bernice van Gils
At the grand old age of 17 ½ (apparently that ½ makes
all the difference!?) I was privileged to become the third
woman recruited into the Band.
It was the realisation of a dream I had since first picking up a trumpet at 13. I
was attending Lincoln High School and the choices of instruments available
was a double bass (of the string variety, which was not going to be easy
hauling around on the school bus) or a trumpet... (much easier to manage
en route!) So my musical career began under the tutelage of Bill Dixon,
former NZ Army Bandsman.
Fast forward to May 23rd 1988 when I entered Burnham Military Camp as
a brand new, completely clueless, Private (w) ... apparently the ‘w’ was also
very important as it made clear on paper our gender.
Bernice relaxing on a Herc
I had been issued my uniform the day before I was due to start. My room
was in the female barracks at Tui Lodge. Because the Australian Bi-Centennial Military Tattoo was only a few months away, there
was not enough time to send the small group of ‘newbies’ off on Basic. So it was very much a case of figure it out as you go.
I remember my first day in the Band very clearly, and with many years hindsight, with great humour.
I made sure I rose early that day, pulled out the uniform I had been issued and spent the next hour trying to figure out how on earth I
was supposed to wear it? There had been no instruction on this seemingly simple task ... So I took a deep breath, and made it up.
After putting my hair up, applying my makeup, a dab of perfume and my nice lavender camisole (after all those woollen shirts were
jolly scratchy!) I proceeded with my green camouflage ensemble.
With time to spare, I gathered myself and my nerves, locked up my room, and went in search of the Band Room . I knew that
soldiers were supposed to march, so march I did, in best Civvie Brass Band fashion. With trepidation of the unknown gnawing at
my insides, I put a big smile on my face and strode along with purpose, trying desperately to look like I knew where I was going. The
other newbies were coming from the men’s barracks so I was making my way to the band room solo.
Out of nowhere a jeep pulled up beside me. The window was wound down, and a very scary looking man was staring at me. His
jaw was tight, and his eyes were bulging and the words “What the ---- are you!” were shouted at me.
Cue instant tears and trembling lip. Damn, damn, damn, my mascara was going to run!
The door flew open and I was ordered into the jeep after which a very long tirade seemed to flow in a rather poetic stream of
expletives, only a few of which I had ever heard before) ... Coming from a very sheltered upbringing.
Eventually I was able to say that I was Private (w) van Gils and I was a new Bandsman.
The RSM of 2/1 Battalion was mortified. His face changed several shades of red and I thought he was going to explode. It was not
until much later I understood the depths of his horror.
I could have given Frank Spencer (Some mother do ‘ave ‘em) a run for his money with my beret. I had managed to get the cap
badge on it, but had no idea that it was supposed to be shaped or bashed. So once my hair was done, I popped it on at a jaunty
angle with the cap badge smack bang in the middle of my forehead and a little fringe showing for aesthetics. My training jersey had
ties on it that I had put into a tidy bow, and my corps belt was holding it in with the buckles at the front. It was elegantly bloused out,
my having no idea about pleating it at the back or any such thing. I struggled to get my pant legs to bunch up at the bottom, with
garters being a completely unknown component for this element of the uniform. Every time I tucked them into my boots they came
out so I pulled my socks up, just a little, to hold the hems in, which sat nicely atop a pair of completely un-nuggeted boots (they
were already black and shiny, so why did they need nugget??) which had been laced up like a pair of sneakers.
But the worst of my sins ... I was wearing an Infantry corps belt ... In a camp dominated by an Infantry Battalion of highly trained and
hardened soldiers ... And I was crying. The RSM simply did not know what to make of me.
He insisted I put on a DPM jacket to cover up, and he drove me, with haste, to the band room. Not a word more was spoken. I
didn’t know what was worse, being yelled at, or being inches away from the scariest person I had ever met on the planet.
We arrived at the band room and I got out of the jeep. He took me straight to the Drum Major’s office. With my chin still trembling, I
was now being stared at by two scary men while I removed the DPM jacket. All the RSM said was “FIX IT”, and he left.
Thus began my career. My dream job. The only job I had ever wanted, with running mascara and a somewhat spectacular entrance
into the inner Sanctum of the Army Band smoko room, the journey of a lifetime began.
10 | Issue 1
THENEWZEALANDARMYBANDASSOCIATION
WelcometoallourMembersonthefirstAssociationentryintheEspritdeCorps.
TheNewZealandArmyBandAssociation(NZABA)hasthefollowingObjectsasshowninthe
Constitution&RulesoftheAssociation,whichwereratifiedattheInauguralAGMon1May2015:
•
•
•
•
•
TopromoteandforwardtheinterestsandwelfareofthemembersoftheAssociation.
TorecogniseandhonourthehistoryoftheBandasamilitaryunitandtoencourageand
facilitateanon-goingrelationshipbetweentheBand,theAssociationandthecommunityin
general.
Tocooperatewithanyotherbandormusicalsocietywhoseobjectsarealtogetherorinpart
similartothoseoftheAssociation.
Toraisefundsbyallrecognizedmeansandtodoallsuchthingsasareincidentalorconducive
totheattainmentoftheaboveobjects.
PecuniarygainisnotanobjectoftheAssociation.
TheAssociationconsistsofthefollowingMembercategories:
•
•
•
•
Member:AMemberoftheAssociationisapersonwhohasservedintheNewZealandArmy
Bandatsometime,butisnolongeraServingMember.AMemberisrequiredtopayall
duesandsubscriptionsprescribedbytheAssociation.(NilatthistimeandsetbyanAGMas
andwhenrequired.)
ServingMember:IsapersonwhoisamemberoftheAssociationandwhoisacurrent
servingmemberoftheNewZealandArmyBand.AServingMemberisnotrequiredtopay
anysubscriptionstotheAssociationandwillautomaticallybecomeaMemberonceleaving
theNewZealandArmyBand.
LifeMember:Isapersonwhoisamember,butwhoisdeemedworthyoflifemembership
becauseoftheirserviceanddedicationtotheAssociation.TheLifeMemberiselectedby
resolutionofaGeneralMeetingoftheAssociation.NoduesorsubscriptionsarepaidbyLife
Members.
HonoraryMember:Isapersonwhoisnotamember,butwhoisdeemedworthyofhonorary
membershipbecauseoftheirowndeedsandposition.TheHonoraryMemberiselectedby
resolutionofaGeneralMeetingoftheAssociation.Noduesorsubscriptionsarepaidby
HonoraryMembers.
TheOfficersandCommitteeMembersfortheAssociation,whichmeetsquarterly,are:
President
-
VicePresident -
Secretary
-
Treasurer
-
CommitteeMembers-
RobHughes
GraemeBremner
WayneShears
PeterWilson
TristanMitchell(NZABRepresentative) DaveClearwater
continued overleaf ...
11 | Issue 1
... continued
DwayneBloomfield
GerardHansen MartinBremner
MikePetterson
TheAreaRepresentativesfortheAssociationare:
AmandaMcKinley
-
Auckland
DennisMaunder
-
HawkesBay
DenisSpurdle -
Wellington
EwenRobinson
-
Marlborough&Nelson
BruceGlass
-
Southland
ThemostimportantobjectofourAssociationistopromoteandforwardtheinterestsandwelfareof
theMembersoftheAssociation.TodothisweappliedandhavenowbeenacceptedasanAffiliate
oftheRNZRSA.ThisthenmakesourAssociationamemberoftheRNZRSA,withallofitsfunctions,
supportandexperienceinmanymatters,includingwelfare,whichisnowcalledSupportServices.
ThenextmajoreventfortheAssociationisthe“NZABAReunion2016”,whichistobeheldin
ChristchurchattheWigramBaseFunctionCentre,14HenryWigramDrive,ChristchurchonSaturday
18June2016.ThisisinwalkingdistancefromtheAirForceMuseum.Theactivitiesprogrammefor
theeventisoutlinedasfollows:
o
o
o
o
o
o
AssembleontheSaturdaymorningatWigramBase.
InformallunchateithertheHarvardBar&CaféatWigramBase,ortheCafeatthe
AirForceMuseum(atindividual’scost).
1300-1600:Gettogetherinthefunctionroom,withCaptGrahamHickman
organizingaBlow(withmusicandinstrumentspossiblybeingprovided).
1600-1630: AGM
1630-1830:
Break
1830for1900:Informalbuffetdinnerinthefunctionroom,fromasetmenu
(approx.$40/head),withentertainment(suggestionsrequired).Itisintendedthat
Memberswillpay$20/headforthedinnerandtheAssociationwillpayforthe
balanceofthemealandalsothehireofthefunctioncentre&otheractivities.
Furtherdetailswillbepromulgatedseparately,withanEntryForm,andweaskthatthesebe
returnedassoonaspossible,orby1May2016atthelatest,sothatcateringandother
arrangementscanbeconfirmed.ItisplannedforbothanRNZRSASupportOfficerandaVeterans
AffairsNZRepresentativetobeattheReunionsothat,ifrequired,youcandiscussanyproblemsyou
havedirectlywiththem.
Itisimportantthatwemakethisasuccessandwethereforeaskforyourfullsupportforthisevent.
WehavekeptthecostsattheminimumanditisagreatopportunitytomixwithotherMembersand
haveagreattime.
Anyqueriesyoumayhaveaboutanyoftheaboveandespeciallythefollow-upontheNZABA
Reunion2016,pleasecontact:
WayneShearson(03)[email protected]
continued overleaf ...
12 | Issue 1
... continued
Recently a few of the NZABA
members had a wee get
together to celebrate Michael
Peterson’s 80th birthday. On
behalf of all past and present
members of the unit, many
happy returns Michael!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!!! Well done the ABs
13 | Issue 1
Youth Band
by Pte G D Hoy
On the 16th of January Privates John Mason and
Georgia Hoy flew up to Napier to be part of the National
Youth Brass Band.
We joined together with 33 other musicians from all over the country for
a week of music making. The band was conducted by Dave Bremner
who is the conductor of Wellington Brass. Staff Sergeant Phil Johnston
also came up to camp with us to be the guest soloist for the week.
We spent a solid four days of rehearsing intensely in the thirty degrees
plus weather. There was a great selection of brass band tutors including
Byron Newton, Mark Davey, Kristy Rowe, Mark Carter, Grant Myhill,
Leigh Martin, Alan Spence and Mike Ford. As well as rehearsing there
was time for a bit of team building with a sports afternoon and quiz night
to mix things up. Phil somehow managed to lead the bass section to a
win in the quiz night.
2016 National Youth Band with conductor David Bremner and
Soloist SSgt Phil Johnston
The band took the concert tour to Gisborne, Whakatane, Taupo and Napier. After our first concert in Gisborne we stayed in the
Manutuke Marae. We were welcomed with a Powhiri. For many of the band, including myself, it was their first time staying on a
Marae.
The Concert was titled ‘a game of two halves’. The first half featured traditional Brass Band pieces including ‘Intrada ein Feste
Burg’, J.S. Bach arranged by Ray Farr and our main work ‘Essence of Time’ by Peter Graham. We came out in bright coloured
shirts for a Latin inspired second half. This featured music such as ‘Children of Sanchez’ by Chuck Mangione and ‘Malaguena’,
arranged by Mark Freeh.
John and I had an awesome week away with the Youth Band and would like to thank the unit for supporting us.
Review
“Congratulations to all involved in a great night of brass band entertainment. If you get the opportunity to hear our National Youth
Brass Band in the future you will be thrilled by the standards it achieves”
Kevin Dell
Life Member BBANZ
2016 New Zealand National Youth Band in action
14 | Issue 1
New Zealand Army Band “Plays it Big” in Nelson
by Cpl K J Hickman
On the 29th of November the band performed a Big Band
concert at the Old St Johns Church Nelson in front of a large and
appreciative audience.
Our programme drew from a wide range of musical styles with a heavy influence on
contemporary and classic big band music showcasing a variety of talent within the
ensemble especially the several fine vocalists that we are lucky to have on the books.
As is normal for a formal concert the NZAB partnered up with a local musical group.
For this concert it was the thriving teaching programme for young brass players run
by Nick Shape. A number of Nick’s students joined us on stage for a few charts and
the band featured Logan Ford with a superb rendition on cornet of the Aranjuez Guitar
Concerto. Logan, a student at Garin College has won a number of solo titles including
two New Zealand junior solo titles. He is also the current assistant principle of the New
Zealand Secondary Schools Band. Logan along with the other students is testament to
the great work being done in our regions by people like Nick Sharpe.
All in all it was a very successful concert and the unit was able to donate a
considerable amount of money to the Tasman Music Trust from the concert’s profits.
The Tasman Music Trust has been set up to purchase brass instruments for primary
aged students and we were delighted to be able to support this trust.
Pte’s Robertson (trumpet) and
MacFarlane (Upright Bass)
Logan Ford performing with the NZAB
Old St Johns Nelson – a great setting
15 | Issue 1
A Day in the Life ...
Happy Movember Cam!!!
Settle Tiger... I mean Leopard
Where did I put my weapon!!!
You shot him in the eye?!?
OMG!!! Chris has some fun at the truck photo shoot.
Who’s that with AY?
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16 | Issue 1