The 2026 New Zealand National Secondary Schools' Brass Band (NSSBB) course was recently held in Christchurch, where 67 young players from 48 representative schools came together under the direction of MDs Linda Filimoehala and Aishah Leitner.

It was Linda's third course as MD and Aishah's first, although both had previously been conductors of the Development Band.

Musical inspiration

The students aged between 13 and 18 were put through their musical paces for over six hours each day, although they still had plenty of energy left for recreational fun and to be inspired by a masterclass from Pablo Ruiz Henao, bass trombonist of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

There was also a concert given by Woolston Brass before the final preparations led to a Saturday concert at the Charles Luney Auditorium in the city, where the audience (they event was also live-broadcast) were treated to a varied programme as well as contributions from guest soloists and former band members Megan Gooding and Keina Rollinson.