Profile Interview

Davey Boyes

Davey Boyes moved from the UK to New Zealand nine years ago and hasn’t looked back.

Born in Hull, East Yorkshire, David followed the family tradition by playing euphonium with the local Salvation Army Band. His musical journey continued, studying the euphonium for two years with the world renowned euphonium soloist Dr Robert Childs. During this time David was offered the position of Principal Euphonium with the East Yorkshire Motor Services Band, conducted by Dr Childs, a position he held for seven years. David also played Solo Euphonium for the National Youth Band of Great Britain for two years.

Whilst in the UK David gained a wealth of experience playing with some of England's top brass bands under the baton of the finest musical directors in Britain.

In January 1997 David was invited to New Zealand to play Principal Euphonium with Woolston Brass of Christchurch. David stayed with Woolston Brass for four years, before swapping the euphonium for the baton with his appointment as Musical Director of Addington Brass in 2000.

David accepted the position as Musical Director of Canterbury Foundation Brass in December 2004

Davey's Biography:

"Born in Kingston upon Hull in East Yorkshire, I really did not have a choice in getting involved with the brass band scene. I come from a long line of euphonium players, my grandfather and father both played euphonium and my brother still plays euphonium with the Royal Marines Band. I started playing with the young people's band of the Salvation Army on euphonium at the age of seven.

Through the itinerant music service at school I was lucky enough to study under Dr Robert Childs. I worked with Mr Childs for three years and as you can imagine, this gave me a wealth of information on both the euphonium and the brass band. At the time Mr Childs was conducting the City of Hull Band which later became the East Yorkshire Motor Services Band. I was invited to play Principal Euphonium with the EYMS band. This gave me a great introduction to the contesting brass band scene and an amazing group of people to work with. We started in the Fourth Section in 1990, about 26 contests and five years later we were in the Championship Section. It was a truly historic moment for me to be sitting on stage at the Albert Hall with the core group of musicians who helped form the EYMS band only five years previous and something I shall certainly never forget.

The UK offered me lots of playing opportunities while I was there.  I was Solo Euphonium with the National Youth Band of Great Britain for two years and fulfilled a life time ambition by playing with the Black Dyke Mills Band on a semi-regular basis.

In January 1997 I accepted an invitation to move out to Christchurch, New Zealand to play Principal Euphonium with Woolston Brass. At the age of 21 this was a big move for me but certainly one I don't regret. During my four years with Woolston Brass I was asked to help form a junior band. This is where I got my first taste of conducting. I really enjoyed working with the young members of this band and we worked really hard. We even won our first provincial contest. But after four years with Woolston Brass I felt it was time for a change so after a brief time out from bands I accepted an offer to conduct the Addington Brass, a B Grade band based in Christchurch.

I had an absolute ball with Addington Brass; they have a real ‘can do' attitude. We started a concert series which is still going strong today, worked with guest artists such as Richard Marshall, Russell Grey, Kenneth Young, Marc Taddei, and David Bremner, to name a few. We even appointed an artist in residence, Mr Barry Brinson, a local musician and arranger.  Through this we developed a healthy membership for the band. It was a nice change putting some emphasis on the concert part of banding rather than just contests. Through this experience I found myself learning a lot about concert planning and event organising.

Davey Boyes with Canterbury Foundation Brass, NZ Nationals, Wellington, 2005

After four years with Addington Brass as Musical Director I felt it was time for a change, so I accepted an invitation from the Canterbury Foundation Brass to become their full-time conductor. I am very happy to still be with the Canterbury Foundation Brass one year later, and looking back at the year we have been very busy and achieved a lot. We have started their first concert series, performed twice with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and recorded our first CD. The highlight of the year for me personally  was performing at the Summertime's event ‘Classical Sparks' with Richard Marshall as guest soloist to an audience of about 100,000 people.

As for the future, the Canterbury Foundation Brass has a busy year ahead of them already. On the 18th March we continue with our concert series with ‘Just Brass' featuring guest conductor Kenneth Young and guest soloist Riki McDonnell. This concert will also feature the New Zealand Premier of the Tydfill Overture. We will also present ‘Just Jazz' with guest trombone soloist Brett Baker on 18 August. With obvious commitments to other concerts, the New Zealand National Contest and an interesting idea for a CD planned for later in the year, the band should be busy for 2006.

For me personally I am now a committee member for the Canterbury Brass Band Association. This position has always been of interest to me and I am looking forward to giving 100% with the challenge it represents.

I also make a come back with the Euphonium this year. It has been over five years since I last played last, but with my involvement with the newly formed New Zealand Tuba Quartet, I have new enthusiasm to play again.

When I get the chance I spend as much time as I can with my wife Louisa and our two dogs: Guinness and Dribble. My other interests include Photography and learning to play the piano."

Good luck this year Davey. We will eagerly watch the progress of the Cantebury Foundation Brass and hopefully will hear of your euphonium success!