*
banner

Two killed as brass band involved in NZ accident

Two members of the Mailefihi Siu'ilikutapu College Brass Band from Tonga have been killed in a bus crash in New Zealand.

Tongan brass band
  Tow members of the Mailefihi Siu'ilikutapu College Brass Band were killed in the accident

It has been reported from New Zealand that two members of a Tongan brass band have been killed in a bus crash near the town of Gisborne in the north eastern part of the country.

Two deaths

The fatal accident occurred as the Mailefihi Siu'ilikutapu College Brass Band was on its way to perform a Christmas Day service at the city's Wesleyan Methodist Church.

Sione Taumololo, aged 11, and Talita Fifita, aged 33, died, with several others having to receive hospital treatment.

Despite the horrific accident, a few days later the band played in a concert held at the House of Breakthrough Church in Gisborne, with around $25,000 being raised. Further donations have raised more than $37,000.

Further details

Further details can be found at:

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/video-bus-crash-survivors-perform-tribute-concert-nation-rallies-victims-families-school

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


4BR Podcast

4BR Review podcast: Episode 2

February 17 • The second episode is now out with at look at what has been, and what is going on in the banding world.


French National Championship

Results: 2025 French National Championships

February 17 • Haut-de-France claims a fifth consecutive French National title in Metz, with section wins for Brass Band De Gones, Brass Band Musicalis Algrange, Brass Band Lorient Bretagne Sud and Brass Band Brassaventure.


Marsden Silver

Report & Results: 2025 NEMBBA Contest

February 17 • Pre-regional boosts for Marsden, Lindley, Barnsley Brass, Rode Hall Silver and Matlock as Long Eaton's youngsters also enjoy their spotlight moment.


uNIbrass

Results: 2025 UniBrass Championships

February 16 • The students of University of Birmingham and Universities of Sheffield & Sheffield Hallam claim the UniBrass Trophy and Shield honours in Cardiff


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal College of Music Sackbut Ensemble

Friday 21 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Welsh Guards

Friday 21 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Midlands Championships Preview Evening

Sunday 23 February • Summit Centre . Kirkby in Ashfield . Nottinghamshire NG17 7LL


Contest: North West Regional Championships

Sunday 23 February • Winter Gardens Complex, Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HU


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 28 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Boarshurst Silver Band

February 17 • Boarshurst Silver Band, NW Championship Section, requires a BBb player, flugel, and front row cornet player. Under MD Jamie Prophet, the band have an ambitious and varied calendar for 2025, including NW Area, Spring Festival and Whit Friday.


Mid Rhondda Band

February 14 • Mid Rhondda Band are looking for the following players : Front Row Cornet, Solo Trombone, Eb Bass, Kit and Tuned Percussionists. The band will be competing in the 3rd Section at the Welsh Area. Contest & concert engagements in the diary for 2025


Reading Spring Gardens Brass Band

February 13 • Reading Band (current joint 1st place in the L&SC 4th section grading tables) needs a TENOR HORN for the regional contest in Stevenage on 15th March! Rehearsals in Woodley (RG5) on Thursday evenings with our MD Stephen Bucknell.


Howard J Evans

MA (Dist), Mus.B (hons), ARCM (hons), LRAM, LTCL, PGCE
Conductor, composer, arranger, tutor and pianist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd