Kumeu bands with The Trusts Waitakere Brass

Sunday 29 October, West Auckland
Musical Directors:
Steven Booth, Brian Miller & Claire Bymolt

Sunday 29 October saw a feast of brass for West Auckland when the Trusts Waitakere Brass combined with Kumeu and Kumeu Auxillary Band's to bring the appreciative audience a 3 hour concert.
 
The event started with the Kumeu Band conducted by Brian Miller and boosted by some of the original New Lynn Band players, and compered by Jeff Tribe. The band put on a varied programme including some beautiful playing in Sparticus and a special tribute performance of When a Child is Born, to the more upbeat numbers Hit the Road Jack and Love is in the Air.
 
Then followed the Kumeu Auxilliary Band conducted by Claire Bymolt. This band is an inspiration and shows what can be achieved through the dedication of people like Claire and Sean Whyte who have worked so hard to build this band and work with the children and parents. Noteable also were the the cornet playing of principal cornet Davin Coutanche and the compereing skills of the young Chris Haines. Another highlight was the band's enthusiastic performance of Champion Challenge, a piece commissioned by the band for the 2007 Nationals and written by 'The Trusts' Waitakere Brass' Musical Director, Steven Booth.
 
The second half consisted of a short, entertaining program by the Waitakare Band conducted by Steven Booth, featuring principal cornet Leon Renilson (on cornet and swanny whistle!), and former Kumeu players Claire Bymolt and Sean Whyte on horn and euphonium respectively playing the duet All I Ask Of You.
 
The concert concluded with the inevitable 'chaos' of trying to get all three bands together on stage to perform three pieces, one under each musical director. The massed bands gave an energetic perfomance and it was great to see old and young, experienced and inexperienced playing alongside each other and having so much fun. Ages ranged from 8 to 90!

In addition to the music there were a couple of particularly noteable elements to this concert: firstly the enjoyment and fun displayed by all the performers, and secondly the cameradery between the bands and players, something these bands are working hard to build and maintain.

Steven Booth