The New Zealand Army Band is on tour. From July 9 to July 23 it will perform a series of concerts, marching displays and parades in Modena, Italy and then Basel, Switzerland.

Already the band has won many admirers, both among fellow military bands and wider audiences, for their performances. This popularity was confirmed when the band was acclaimed the best band at the Modena International Military Tattoo for musicianship, drill and audience appreciation.

Having finished in Italy the band is now in Switzerland preparing for the Basel Military Tattoo. Below NZ Army Band Director of Music, Major Leanne Smith has sent messages home to describe life on the road for the band. Photos are by Army Artist Capt Matt Gauldie.

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Monday, 16 July - Basel, Switzerland

Guttentag from Basel,

Today has been a long long day at the office. Rehearsals started at 0800 and have continued with breaks for meals until midnight. The max temperature was about 35 degrees and people were sweating in places they never had before. A number of people have come down with colds with the air conditioning in the hotel.

We had our first dress rehearsal tonight which was interrupted by a downpour and thunderstorm. The show carried on though as the lighting technicians needed to get things right.

Most will be off to bed now as we have two more dress rehearsals tomorrow morning. The first proper show is tomorrow night. The Band is in good spirits and looking forward to getting the show underway.

The producer is very pleased with our display. A production meeting was held after the rehearsals which covered any technical points. That meeting finished at 0145! So a leisurely walk back to the hotel via the kebab takeaway was had by the Bandmaster, Drum Major and myself.

Good night from Basel

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Sunday, 15 July - Basel, Switzerland

Hello from Switzerland,

We are finally here. We left Modena at 0500 this morning. Not a lot of sleep was had because most were out celebrating our success at the festival as we were granted the honour of best band of the festival for musicianship, drill, and appreciation from the audiences.

It was a big honour, considering the band of the Coldstream Guards was present.

The Band's performance at the gala concert on Friday night was outstanding - of note was Sgt Tyme Marsters' flugelhorn solo in Concerto de Arranguez.

The street parade was held in 36 deg heat with no let up for the evening show. Once again the band performed their innovative marching display and massed band pieces with me conducting the massed bands in Scotland the Brave.

We then had the honour of performing an encore display with the crowd being allowed to mix with the band. It was a real special time for us and the audience. The band's reputation in northern Italy is very strong with people coming from long distances to see the performances.

We arrived in Basel at 1230 after a 6 hour bus trip. The journey was the same length as Burnham to Picton, but a lot more scenic.

Since we have been here we have sweltered in the heat as it is a lot more direct and dry, it is similar to Townsville in summer.

We now have another language to learn but we are lucky that most of the tattoo staff speak English. Otherwise it is German. We are trying to get the uniforms dry-cleaned tomorrow as they are almost standing up by themselves.

Rehearsals start tomorrow at 0800 and apart from meals we will be on deck until midnight. The first public performance is 0900 Tues morning.

So the pressure is on to get things right quickly. The Swiss have a greater sense of urgency than the Italians. We will rise to the challenge.

Auf wiedersehn

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Thursday, 12 July – Modena, Italy

Ciao from Modena,

Today started once more with massed band rehearsals for tonight and Saturday's show. Both shows are different in form. Once rehearsals were over, we went to the mayoral reception. We exchanged gifts and we paid the mayor compliments on his city and its people.

Tonight's show as usual started late at 2110. Our display was very well received and the band performed well. The massed band items saw me on the podium conducting Scotland the Brave. What a thrill.
When the bands marched off, we marched through into Piazza Roma. Once there we performed Pokarekare Ana and the Haka: the day finished at 2345. Tomorrow, another function and the gala concert in the evening.

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Wednesday, 11 July – Modena, Italy

Bueno serra from Modena

Today has been a slower paced day. Rehearsals started at 0900 with the massed band music for the gala concert on Friday and the last parade ceremony on Saturday. We have pole position in the middle alongside the Coldstream Guards. Sounds fantastic!

1100 saw another meeting of band directors with the commandant of the academy. He laid down some ground rules for behaviour around the academy. You will be pleased to know that it did not concern us. It was pointed at the other visiting Bands. Our people have been well mannered and behaved.

After dinner we were on the bus to nearby Carpi for a concert and parade. The venue was a magnificent town square, the third largest in Italy I'm told. After much applause and bravos we packed up and we are now heading back to Modena. It is 20 degrees at 2320.

Tomorrow has more rehearsals and another ceremony in the evening with our marching display performed. Apparently it was on TV today and it has been reported well in the press.

All are still fine and well.

Ciao for now!

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Tuesday, 10 July – Modena, Italy

Buono serra from Modena.

Today has been a busy day. After a late finish last night, our first rehearsal was at 0900 till 1130. It was like a 3 ring circus to start with then it started to come together. We had two runs through the display or carosello as the Italians call it.

The afternoon saw more of our own rehearsal, before a break before dinner. I had to buy some ironing boards as the one that the hotel provided wasn't enough. That was a mission in itself getting both ways to the mall by taxi with no interpreter! It had to be the mall as the rest of the shops were shut with the siesta.

The show tonight started at 2100 with every band marching on and playing our own national anthems. Then each band performed a 10 minute display, and as they finished they marched a further kilometre to another piazza. At that piazza we sung Pokarekare Ana and did the Haka to big applause.

Then it was the long walk back to the hotel.

The festival producer was heard to say that in the 13 years of the festival, we were the best act band he has seen!

Resting up now. Easier day tomorrow. We rehearse the show for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Each one is different! Then we travel to Capri for an evening concert and parade. It is about 30 minutes away from Modena.

All in all the festival are happy with our show. Feedback from the other bands has also been favourable. They like our cleverness and our music. The army t-shirts proved popular with the other bands. We certainly looked professional.

Arrivederci e ciao from Modena.

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Monday, 8 July - Modena, Italy

Ciao from Italy

We are finally here after a long flight via Los Angeles. A short stop over in Heathrow we changed from Air NZ to Alitalia. A smaller plane complete with dogs in the cabin!

On arrival in Milan Sunday evening, the band set forth by bus to Modena. Only another 3 hours! Brendan and I stayed near the airport that night, as the next morning we had to front up at customs to get our instruments and uniforms released. It was heaven to have a shower and put on a fresh set of clothes.

This morning the band had a sleep in before getting themselves orientated. Brendan and I met with the DHL Milan rep Emanuele and after much hand shaking and passing out of business cards our instruments were off to Modena. We followed in the Latvian Army Band. As soon as we got to Modena we were escorted to a Band Directors meeting. This was to discuss in detail the evening performances. This was hilarious as it was conducted through interpreters and hand gestures, pictures, nodding of heads and so forth. A very quick dinner followed with a quick walk back to the hotel to find our uniforms, iron them and hop on the bus. We were off to Vignola, a 30 min bus ride away. I think everybody slept as the bus had aircon!

We performed a street parade and concert to a crowd of about 3000 people. The venue was a medieval castle courtyard with fantastic acoustics. The concert finished with the haka to great applause.

The city put on a few drinks and some Italian style supper which was well received by all. Back on the bus and we finished the day at 0030. Whew! The word tired was an understatement!

Arrividerci.

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