Dalewool Auckland Brass Musical Director, Nigel Weeks, has given a stern warning to band members that there is to be absolutely no lovemaking nine months before any scheduled competitions, after a spate of pregnancies has affected the build up to the 2008 Australian National Contest in Brisbane.

Flugel Horn virtuoso Mason Elliot and his wife Sarah, a former member of the band, are expecting their first child in February, meaning that due to family commitments Mason is unavailable for the Australian Championships.

Another member unavailable for the Australian Nationals is Principal Baritone Ross Gerritsen, with wife Siobhan due to give birth to their first child at Easter Weekend.

Other members of the band cannot seem to escape the dreaded stork, with Trombone player Daniel Wilson and wife Carrie (another former Dalewool member), expecting twins in May.

Players that are also unavailable for the Australian contest due to family commitments include Principal Horn Andy Williams and Second Horn Richard Smith.

The band will shortly be announcing replacement players as the seats are juggled to ensure that all parts are covered on the contest stage.

Dalewool Brass would like to offer their congratulations to the excited expectant parents and wish them all the best for the birth and following months, as they adjust to the wonderful joy of having a new member of the family.