The earth certainly moved on Valentine's Day for the members of Leopard Coachlines Canterbury Brass — although not perhaps as some would have hoped.

5.7 quake

The band was performing a Sunday Bandstand concert when the city of Christchurch was hit with a magnitude 5.7 earthquake, which struck at 1.13pm and was centered 12 miles away near the suburb of New Brighton.

Kept calm

Flugel player Carolyn Ramsbottom told 4BR: "We were outside in the park playing 'Bohemian Rhapsody' when everything started shaking. Nobody panicked and proudly the band didn't miss a beat.

It couldn't have been a coincidence that our solo trombone, Angela Reimer was playing the lines 'nothing really matters' when it struck — so I think that kept everyone calm."

BBb tuba Adrian Dalton added: "It was quite a shake. We haven't felt one as powerful as that here for over four years. Ironically we had just come through the 'Wayne's World' head-banging section of the piece when the ground decided to join in!"

Return

The 'rolling' effects of the quake continued long after the band finished playing the Queen classic — although such is the 'no-nonsense' New Zealander approach to such matters that under MD Dwayne Bloomfield the band took a break and then returned alongside an equally determined audience to complete the second half.

Although the members of the band did play down the effects of the latest earthquake, Christchurch will soon commemorate the fifth anniversary of the devastating 2011 event which claimed 185 lives, left scores of people injured and thousands of homes destroyed or damaged.

Christchurch will soon commemorate the fifth anniversary of the devastating 2011 event which claimed 185 lives, left scores of people injured and thousands of homes destroyed or damaged4BR

No reports

Fortunately, there have been no reports of any fatalities or injuries across the city with the latest incident.