The National Band of New Zealand (MD Howard Taylor) assembles in Christchurch on 3 July for a few days of rehearsals before departing on Monday 6 July for the World Music Contest in Kerkrade, Netherlands.
The brass band competition includes a test piece, Harrisons Dream by Peter Graham on Saturday 11 July, and an Own Choice program on Sunday 12 July.
On Monday evening 13 July, the band will also perform in the Gala Concert before returning to NZ on Wednesday 15 July.
Members of the 2009 Kerkrade band are:
Musical Director
Howard Taylor
Co-Managers
Kevin Dell and Graham Dick
Soprano
Colin Clark, Woolston Brass
Solo Cornet
Principal: John Lewis, St Kilda Brass
Kevin Hickman, Woolston Brass
Kevin McMorran, Canterbury Brass
Clyde Dixon, Marlborough District Brass
Thomas Eves, Woolston Brass
Repiano
David Maas, Brass Wanganui
2nd Cornet
Stephen Gooding, Ascot Park Invercargill Brass
Kevin Dell, Ascot Park Invercargill Brass
3rd Cornet
Graham Hickman, Woolston Brass
John McGough, Dalewool Auckland Brass
Flugel
Tyme Marsters, Canterbury Brass
Horn
Mike Ford, Marlborough district Brass
Andy Williams, Dalewool Auckland Brass
Sergio Marshall, Dalewool Auckland Brass
Baritone
Ross Gerritsen, Dalewool Auckland Brass
Denis Teeling, Marlborough District Brass
Euphonium
Riki McDonnell, Marlborough District Brass
Byron Newton, Woolston Brass
Trombone
David Bremner, Woolston Brass
David Chaulk, Pelorus Trust Wellington
Darrell Farley, Dalewool Auckland Brass
Eb Bass
Andy Mitchell
Stephen Clayton
Casey O'Sullivan
Bb Bass
Phillip Johnston, Woolston Brass
Leigh Martin, Woolston Brass
Percussion
Roanna Cooper, Woolston Brass
Todd Tumer, Canterbury Brass
Louise Emms
Free Accommodation
The decision for the 2009 National Band of NZ to tour to the 16th World Music Contest (WMC) in Kerkrade has been a controversial one due to significant past financial losses from National Band tours.
However, the decision to go ahead with travelling to Kerkrade for the contest has been made, with players contributing $2000 each, a $35,000 grant from the New Zealand Community Trust, and organisers of the WMC providing the accommodation for the band.
Only 6 bands
As of June 10, there are 6 bands listed on the WMC official website as competing in the 2009 World Brass Band Championship event:
Brass Band Treize Etoiles, Switzerland (2005 defending champions)
Provinciale Brassband Groningen, The Netherlands
National Band of New Zealand, New Zealand
Metropole Brass Band, Belgium
Brassband Buizingen Buizingen, Belgium
Cory Band, Wales (current world no.1 ranking)
The World Music Contest, held every 4 years, this year runs from 9 July to 2 August, and is an international festival of music for wind and brass instruments. The festival includes events for brass, concert, marching and show bands.
