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Army Band Musicians Tour with the National Band of New Zealand
6 November 2007
Six musicians from the New Zealand Army Band and one from the 2nd Cant NMWC Band took part in 2007 National Brass Band of New Zealand tour in September. On arrival in Wanganui the band rehearsed for two and a half days before embarking on the concert tour with the world famous Australian jazz trumpeter James Morrison. Concerts were performed in Wanganui, Wellington, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin and Invercargill.
James Morrison added another dimension to the stereotypical brass band concerts, dazzling audiences and players alike with his brilliance. He is a multi-instrumentalist, performing on trumpet, trombone, tenor horn and euphonium.
His repertoire included favourites such as, ‘S’Wonderful’, ‘The Old Rugged Cross’, ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ and the theme from the ‘Flintstone's’. At each centre James held Master Classes for musicians, discussing all aspects of playing and performing and finishing with the James Morrison one-man duet, playing trumpet and piano simultaneously.
More than 90 musicians were auditioned throughout the country for a place in the band of 30 by this year’s Musical Director, Howard Taylor. Howard is a Welshman currently residing in Australia and he is the Musical Director of Brisbane Excelsior, current New Zealand and Australian champions.
The 2007 National Band has been selected as part of a three year strategy working towards an international championship in the year 2009.
This page was last reviewed on 16 November 2007 and is current.
