One of the great performers of New Zealand banding has been awarded the Queen’s Service Medal.

Outstanding contribution

The outstanding contribution to the brass band movement of Riki McDonnell, one of the most popular and highly respected players in New Zealand banding has been recognised in the bi-annual Queens Honours, announced this weekend.

Riki McDonnell has been bestowed with a Queens Service Medal (QSM) for services to brass bands as part of the Queen’s Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours.

Worldwide

As well as being a successful musical wholesaler in Auckland, supplying retailers and bands, Riki’s playing record worldwide has seen him become a highly respected performer and teacher, with appearances from Bergen to Blenheim.

He has notched up an astounding 34 solo championship wins in 36 years in the New Zealand National Championships on four different instruments, as well as countless successes in contests in Australia and in the northern hemisphere.

Remarkable

His remarkable playing contribution has seen him perform with bands at all levels, and he has been seen in action in the UK with the likes of Leyland, Fairey, YBS, Kirkintilloch, Cory and Grimethorpe, as well as in Norway with Molde.

He has played at four British Open Championships with four different bands and has become a major benefactor and sponsor for many projects in the wider musical world in New Zealand and the Pacific.

I’m very humbled by this honour and continue to have so much fun and enjoyment from playing great music and being involved in the wider brass band familyRiki McDonnell

Coveted

In 2002, he was awarded the coveted International Euphonium of the Year award, whilst one of the great playing highlights of his career was to perform to 250,000 Aucklanders at ‘Symphony Under the Stars’ with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra.

Next month he tours with the National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand Under 18 Band to China as their guest soloist.

He told 4BR: "I’m very humbled by this honour and continue to have so much fun and enjoyment from playing great music and being involved in the wider brass band family."