25 of the surviving members of two pioneering National Bands of New Zealand are preparing to assemble for one last hurrah in Christchurch later this month.

British Open winners

In 1953, the National Band of New Zealand under the baton of K G L Smith MBE sailed off to England where it beat the best in Britain to claim the famous Edinburgh Festival and British Open Championships.

In 1962, K G L Smith again directed another National Band win at the Edinburgh Festival as well as the World Music Festival in the Netherlands.

Remaining players

It is now 59 and 50 years since the history-making feats of these two great bands, and with time taking its inevitable toll, the remaining players are to gather in Christchurch to enjoy a weekend of events on the 26th & 27th October at what will probably be their last reunion.

the remaining players are to gather in Christchurch to enjoy a weekend of events on the 26th & 27th October at what will probably be their last reunion4BR

Tribute

Current New Zealand champion Woolston Brass will present a concert as a tribute to the achievements of the 1953 and 1962 bands, with the music for the programme drawn from the repertoire of the National Bands and has been selected by Kevin Jarrett MBE, who was the Associate Principal Cornet of the 1962 band.

Kevin will also be the compere for the concert, which will feature cornet solos in tribute to Dave Christensen QSM the principal cornet of both National Bands.

More information

For concert details go to www.woolstonbrass.org.