2007 New Zealand Brass Band Championships - Postcard from Takapuna

New Zealand has so much to offer that it comes as little suprise that brass bands are finding it hard to carve a niche market for themselves here. Despite that though the future looks bright as long as they can get some money pumped into the championships

One of the more interesting facts about Auckland is that by all accounts 1 in 5 of its residents owns or sails a boat of some description. Given that has a central population of around 350,000 that is one heck of a small armada.

Auckland at night - and not a boat to be seen!

It may also explain the reason why the New Zealand Brass Band Championships were being held in a small, but very appropriately sized arts centre in Takapuna on its north shore. The banding movement here is really up against it when it comes to profile and exposure – more so even than that found in the UK at present.

New Zealand maybe a small country, but it has a world class appeal that is not solely confined to a form of amateur music making that may be important to us, but in the general scheme of things comes way down on the cultural list of ‘must see or do' events. Lots of people here it seems like to take to the waters on a weekend more than they like taking time to listen to contesting brass bands.

The National crowd: Not exactly packed in like sardines at the Bruce Mason Centre

In addition, the advent of cheap air travel has in theory brought New Zealand closer to the mainstream body of the world wide brass band fraternity, but there is still a sense of isolation, which in a strange way can be seen both as a good and bad thing.

These were the 127th running of the Nationals (only two World Wars, a couple of no shows in the early days and an earthquake in Napier in 1931 have stopped the event in the past) and although the total number of bands taking part has decreased (from 39 senior bands in 1989 to 30 this year) there remains a sense of optimism about the contest and the movements future.

Trying to create a progressive niche market however is difficult. Sailing apart, New Zealand does offer an abundance of activities both cultural, recreational and sporting that makes it a very attractive place to visit and live – not just for brass band lovers. 

Now that's where the Riddler ended up! Ex pat Steve Riddler now enjoying himself and life with Brisbane Excelsior

Aspects of the contest therefore remain frustratingly for some people, pickled in musical aspic. Others however believe that events such as the street march, solo and ensemble contests and inclusion of a sacred item section in the main contest give these championships its unique appeal – an appeal that can also be built on for the future.   At present however the championships do seem to be in need of some sort of commercialised boost.

Meanwhile, the march contest as ever is a wonderful site to behold, even if the weather on this occasion wasn't the best.

Eyes left! Woolston Brass prepare for the off on the street march

A large proportion of the local populous took to the streets to witness all the bands taking part (some more enthusiastically than others it must be said) but overall it is a fantastic advert – even if it does rather give a distorted picture of what the banding movement is actually about. 

Suits you Sir! Brisbane's Drum Major Rick Casagrande looks the part - despite the extra stripes on the arm!

The event itself first took place in 1890 as an A Grade Quickstep Contest, reinventing itself as a street march in 1963. There is still a great deal of pride associated with it both for bands and drum majors as well as for many bands – none more so than Woolston Brass. They first won the contest in 1910 and it still has a great deal of resonance with them. They invariably field a full list of personnel even though it takes places just a few hours before the playing of the set work, whilst their choice of march, a rather dislocated ‘wrote by ear' version of Black Dyke's ‘Queensbury' which they have performed for over 40 years or more is now part of banding folklore.

A more relaxed attitude has crept in with other bands (one played YMCA whilst Brisbane rather mischievously played a march version of Waltzin' Matilda) but there is still a sense of communal pride at this traditional showcase event. Long may it continue, although it would be great if someone could harness it in a way to help promote the actual championships better.

New Zealand is full of attractions!

The solo and ensemble championships could, if promoted more aggressively really become a stand out event. Brilliantly supported by the players the Champion of Champions Final could in the right hands of a decent television producer be a musical treat for not just the people in their theatre but also in the armchair listeners in homes from Auckland to Invercargill. 

The players would have to do their bit (especially in stagecraft and presentation) to give it a more professional sheen, but overall it is a product that has immense potential.

As for the main contests, standards in performance are variable. The lower sections need help, but there were encouraging signs in the A and B Grade to suggest that all that was needed was more regular quality contesting and perhaps more contact with the wider brass band movement.

The banding Bremners: New Zealand's first family of brass pick up some more prizes

The talent is there for all to hear, with the likes David Bremner a beacon of class who must be nurtured and developed. The movement cannot afford to lose him (or the rest of the family for that matter). There is also plenty of talented young players with the Aussies of Darebin in particular a fantastic bunch who certainly know how to enjoy themselves. Their performances on stage were pretty good, but afterwards in the bar around the piano they were quite brilliant!

The only real disappointment (and we suspect the NZ BB Association) was the Scenic Hotels Entertainment Contest that could, and should have been so much better. It was very poor this year, and given that there was a decent sized audience in attendance it was an opportunity lost to help promote the banding cause. Not even New Zealand television would have wanted to screen this stuff we were told.  

Now that's entertainment! Darebin bring a cultured Aussie sense of style to the bar

Still, despite the lack of prize money the opportunity remains here for the whole movement to look forward with confidence. The organisation seems to be very good (and there are a number of people working their socks off to keep things moving in the right direction) and the contests are attracting more and more people from overseas to come and play with competing bands and in the long term, settle in the country.   There were enough ex pats on show here this year to have fielded a band themselves.

All this is good news for the brass band world's furthest outpost. All they need now if for Aucklanders to forget about their boats and learn how to appreciate the talents of their brass bands.

Iwan Fox and Anthony Banwell.