The New Zealand National Youth Band has been busy rehearsing, recording and preparing for its upcoming concerts and tour to Japan.
Recording
The band assembled recently on the Queens Birthday weekend to record a 50th Anniversary CD. Available from mid-July, the CD will be used for the Japan Festival and includes some of its best music from the last three years, including items from guest soloists Riki McDonnell and Colin Clark.
Concerts
The 50th Anniversary Concert Series will commence in Christchurch on 16 July, then Wellington 17 July, and Auckland 18 July.
Tour to Japan
On 19 July the band departs Auckland headed for Tokyo to take part in the Japan International Youth Musicale from 21-26 July.
To conclude the Japan tour, the NZ National Youth Band will perform in a joint concert with the Kansai All-Stars Brass band at the Kobe Concert Hall in Osaka.
The 2009 New Zealand National Youth Band personnel are:
Musical Director: Kevin Moseley
Co-Managers: Mike Sander, Marie Rockell & Clynton Payne
Tour operator: Simon Hocking
Logistics: Evan Sayer
Guest Soloist: Riki McDonnell
Soprano
Kay MacKenzie, Dalewool Auckland Brass
Solo Cornet
Principal: Bede Williams, Dalewool Auckland Brass
Rhys McDonnell, Dalewool Auckland Brass
Stacey Ward, Mosgiel Brass
David Moseley, Marlborough District Brass
Ross Yorkstone, Ascot Park Hotel Brass
Repiano
Raynor Martin, Woolston Brass
Louise Moroney, Westport Municipal
2nd Cornet
Caroline Blackmore, Woolston Brass
Nicholas Garrett, Trust Porirua City Brass
Kyle Lawson, Brass Wanganui
3rd Cornet
Mathew Patchett, Marlborough District Brass
Catherine Carter, Brass Wanganui
Erynne Scherf, Marlborough District Brass
Flugel
Patricia Robertson-Bickers, Smiths Locksmiths Manakau City Brass
Horn
Roseanna Dale, Woolston Brass
Emma Caunter, Trust Hamilton Brass
Mitchell Spence, Tasman Eastern Bay of Plenty Brass
Bridget Walker, Trusts Waitakere
Baritone
Ben Cuff, Ascot Part Hotel Brass
Connor Ellison, Ascot Park Hotel Brass
Trombone
Jordi Robertston-Bickers, Smiths Locksmiths Manakau City Brass
Brent Garrett, Trust Porirua Brass
Andrew Yorkstone, Ascot Park Hotel Brass
Chris Scudder, Brass Wanganui
Euphonium
Ian O’Malley, St Kilda Brass
Hamish Jellyman, Brass Wanganui
Eb Bass
James Sutherland, Pelorus Trust Wellington Brass
Mathew Toomata, St Kilda Brass
Bb Bass
Keenan Bucanan, Palmerston North City
Stephen Moseley, Marlborough District Brass
Jim Evans, Marlborough District Brass
Percussion
Aimee Beaumont, Marlborough District Brass
Jessica Hix, Canterbury Brass
Jacob McQuarrie, Ascot Park Hotel Brass