Kiwi brass band heads to Aussie for the first time

THE National Band of New Zealand has toured the world, performed at events like the Queen’s Coronation, and with the New York Philharmonic and the New Zealand Symphony orchestras, and now they’re coming to Bendigo!

As part the Band’s first time across the ditch, the ensemble is playing six shows in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, including Bendigo.

“It’s the National Band’s first time that they’ve ever been to Australia,” said musical director and principal trombonist David Bremner.

“They’ve been in existence for about 70 years and toured all around the world, but strangely never been to Aussie.

“So, it’s a little odd, but we’re very excited to be coming.”

The band is made of amateur musicians from across New Zealand and the current make up was selected at the end of last year.

“They come from all walks of life, and the opportunity to go on tour like this is very, very special for them because they don’t expect it,” Bremner said.

“They don’t take it for granted, and so the opportunity to go and play in these wonderful halls across Australia is just going to be a real joy for everyone.”

Since the selection, Bremner said the musicians are expected to have been practicing hard, so that when they come together for the first time at the end of this month, the program can be refined in just two-and-a-half days.

“But we’re dealing with really very fine musicians, and I know that they’ll be up for the challenge and it’s just going to be wonderful,” he said.

The band of about 35 tends towards classical rather than jazz, said Bremner, although the latter is fun when they do play it, and there will be a mix of the genres at the Australia concerts.

The program will include pieces by Berlioz, John Adams, and jazz, folk, and big band pieces.

“We have a wonderful soloist Phil Cobb who’s touring with us, and he’ll be wowing the audience with his solos, so something for everyone really,” Bremner said.

“Everything that we do, we sort of try to pick music that not only would be enjoyable to listen to but also is hard for us to play and so it’s a challenge.”

The National Band of New Zealand will be coming to perform at the Ulumbarra on Sunday 3 September.