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The New Zealand Army Band is one of the most diverse musical entertainment establishments in New Zealand today.
As soldier/musicians they hold a unique position in the New Zealand Army. Their duties include performing at State and Ceremonial occasions. However the scope of performance that the New Zealand Army Band undertakes is immense and varied. Often they are able to show their ability as versatile performers promoting the New Zealand Army at home and around the world.
Essentially a traditional brass band, the Band has incorporated into its ranks a complete rhythm section enabling the band to broaden their repertoire to perform modern music. The band also includes a number of smaller ensembles that are adept at performing to specific audiences.
The New Zealand Army Band's performances are as varied as their invitations; Arts Festivals, International sports fixtures, school and public concerts.
But mostly the New Zealand Army Band has earned international recognition and reputation as one of the finest marching bands in the world. This standard is continually sustained through a regime of rigorous drill and rehearsal, evidenced by invitations to appear at numerous, prestigious world events.
The band has a busy schedule throughout the year with engagements for both military and public events, here in New Zealand and overseas.
Here are two examples of the NZ Army Band playing the National Anthem of New Zealand:-
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Contact the NZ Army Band
New Zealand Army Band
Powles Road
Burnham Military Camp
Burnham 7600
New Zealand
Phone +64 3363 0200 or Cell +64 21 671 925
Fax +64 3363 0193
The Senior Appointments within the Band are:
Captain Graham Hickman was raised in Feilding, where he learnt to play cornet with the Feilding Municipal Band. While at high school he also joined Wanganui City Brass and the RNZAF Base Ohakea Band as a territorial musician.
Graham enlisted into the New Zealand Army Band in 1985 and was posted to the 1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment Band in Singapore from 1986 to 1988. In 1992 he was appointed Senior Instructor of the New Zealand Army Band School of Music and in 1999 he was appointed Bandmaster of the New Zealand Army Band. He held the position for five years before being appointed as the unit’s Administration Officer. In 2009 Graham was commissioned and in 2010 appointed as the New Zealand Army Band’s fifth Director of Music.
As a performer Graham has a rich and diverse musical background. Having won national titles on both cornet and flugel horn he has also performed with groups as varied as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the National Band of New Zealand and the Victoria Big Band. He has toured extensively with various musical organisations within New Zealand and internationally.
A talented and accomplished conductor, Graham has conducted a wide variety of ensembles including brass bands, orchestras, jazz bands, choirs and concert bands. Graham is also currently the Musical Director of the National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand and the Musical Director of the Champion Band of New Zealand; Woolston Brass.
Graham is a Fellow of the Trinity College of Music, London and holds diplomas in performance, teaching and management. An Associate of the Institute of Registered Music Teachers Graham has tutored and adjudicated nationally and internationally.
Staff Sergeant Tristan Mitchell hails from Westport in the South Island of New Zealand. He joined the New Zealand Army Band in 1993. Tristan has proven his versatility within the band playing Tenor Trombone, arranging music and singing lead and backing vocals. In 2003 and 2004 Tristan was the Course Manger of the Mutual Assistance Programme Bandsman Course run by the Army Band School of Music. In 2005 Tristan was Deputy Bandmaster until September when he was appointed Drum Major until September 2008. Tristan has trained and led the band at many marching events within New Zealand and Overseas. Highlights include leading the Band at the 2006 Edinburgh Tattoo and, later that year, leading a Defence Force Band for the unveiling of the NZ Memorial in Hyde Park London. Staff Sergeant Mitchell was appointed the Senior Instructor School of Music in 2008 which involved continuing the musical development of both New Zealand Army Band musicians and musicians on the MAP Bandsman Course from other countries. This also included a short deployment to East Timor to help establish and train members of the F-FDTL to form a military band. In January 2010, SSgt Mitchell was appointed to his present position as Bandmaster.
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Drummajor - Staff Sergeant Phillip Johnston FTCL
Staff Sergeant Phillip Johnston was born in Christchurch. He was brought up and educated in Blenheim. Phillip Originally joined the Royal New Zealand Navy Band in 1996 before transferring to the New Zealand Army Band in October 1997.
Phillip’s first major appointment in the band was Practical Instructor of the School of Music.
He has achieved the title of Champion Bb Bass Player of New Zealand fifteen times, and the coveted Brass Bands Association of New Zealand Champion of Champions soloist title twice in his playing career. He has also been awarded First place at the prestigious Ern Kellar International Brass Musician of the Year. He has been a member of the National Band of NZ on four occasions touring to Europe twice, the USA, and a domestic tour.
Phillip was Course Manager of the Mutual Assistance Programme Bandsmen Course, run by the Army Band School of Music, from 2005 to 2007.
He was appointed Deputy Bandmaster in January 2008, before assuming his current appointment as the Drummajor of the New Zealand Army Band in August 2008.
This page was last reviewed on 18 October 2011 and is current.
