The death has been announced of Riki McDonnell QSM, one New Zealand's finest brass musicians. He died on March 17th, following a brave battle fought against cancer. He was aged 63.
Riki McDonnell graced brass band concert and contest stages all over the banding world for over six decades — from his first appearance in 1969.
Remarkable musician
A remarkable musician, who started his life-long love of music as a boy soprano in the stage show 'Oliver!', he quickly became noted as a leading player within the New Zealand banding movement, winning the first of a record number of National Solo Championship honours in 1972 on tenor horn.
Further victories came over the next 40 years or more — on horn, flugel, baritone and euphonium, and including the prestigious Champion of Champion title on three different instruments.
Numerous other individual and ensemble successes came his way, including the Australian Open, Champion of Champions and Ern Keller Memorial titles.
Proud
He proudly represented New Zealand in a total of ten National Youth and senior National Bands, touring North America, Asia, Europe and UK as a player and featured soloist. He once performed to 250,000 concert goers at the prestigious 'Symphony Under the Stars' event and was presented with the Errol Mason Memorial Brass Musician of the Year in 1991.
He was also the recipient of the 2002 'International Euphonium Player of the Year' award and in 2012 was awarded the Queen's Service Medal (QSM).
Undiminished
His appetite for banding at all levels and in all parts of the world remained undiminished — performing with many of the leading bands in the UK as well as both Australia and New Zealand. He helped pioneer brass band development in Tonga, and was a highly successful businessman.
He was also made a life member of the Brass Band Association of New Zealand in 2017 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the banding movement.
His infectious enthusiasm, allied to a genuine love and appreciation of those within the brass band movement made him one of its most popular players, as well as being memorable company to be with.
His infectious enthusiasm, allied to a genuine love and appreciation of those within the brass band movement made him one of its most popular players, as well as being memorable company to be with4BR
Status
Many prominent composers and arrangers wrote for him to perform and record on a number of CD releases, whilst his status as a musician in his home country saw him perform with the likes of the Auckland, Christchurch and New Zealand Symphony Orchestras.
He leaves a loving extended family including three children. A celebration of his life will be held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell on Friday 23rd March. At 11.00am.
