We have a Learners Band

New this year, Lachlan has reintroduced the Learner’s Band, which starts with a lesson and then a Band practice.
Craig Williamson had 3/4 learners going which Lachlan has built on that and started this group.
Some of the learners are current member’s children ( keeping it in the family ) plus a couple of Band members who have charged instruments.
In Lachlan’s absence, Jill puts them through their paces as comes down and lens a hand.
The Band hasn’t had a junior/learner Band for about 15 years, so it’s great to see some new Learners coming through.
     
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UK Bob comes for a Visit

Back in February, we had a visitor from the UK.
Bob was traveling around NZ on holiday from the  UK and plays cornet for one of the Bands in London and filled a Solo seat in the front row and even got him to play some of the solos which was fantastic to listen to.
The Band has had many visiting bandsmen/women come and have a blow with us while they are on holiday and it is something we love doing.
The Band is working up a new program for our first concert of the 2024 season at the Edmunds Band Rotunda in March.
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Christmas Season

And that’s a wrap for another successful Christmas Season.
The Band has had another busy season this year with 14 playouts which included the New Brighton Xmas parade. church service, Christmas concerts, and playing at our local New World Preston’s and Pak n Save Wainoni supermarkets.
This was also Lachlan’s first official band concert as Musical Director and handled it like a pro. Great job Lachlan
    
Its been a great Christmas season and everyone has enjoyed it.. The Band purchased some new updated carol books which has made the old carols a little more upbeat fun to play.
We also had the help from our Christmas Angels again this which also adds to the Christmas spirit.
Its been great yet again to have the support from our community and our local New World Preston’s and Pak n Save Wainoni supermarkets which without this we wouldn’t able to do it so a big Thank you from us and we look forward to entertaining you all this coming year.
The Band is now having a well-deserved break after what has been a very busy 2023.
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Nine Lessons and Carols at St Faiths Church New Brighton

Christmas Carols and St Faiths Church New Brighton.
Christmas time last year the New Brighton Silver band joined the congregation of St Faiths Church in New Brighton for the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols.

St Faiths Church New Brighton Early 1900.s

St Faiths Church is the Anglican Parish Church in New Brighton. It is a traditional older style stone church.
We are not sure as to the actual year St Faiths, along with the New Brighton Silver Band began this service so we decided to do a little research into the service itself the band’s involvement with it.
One of the band members joined in 1960 and the service was well established at that time. We think it probably goes back approximately 70 years.
We keep to the service tradition with one of our band members, Nadine, singing the first verse of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ unaccompanied.
Unfortunately, St Faiths stone church did not fare well in the Christchurch earthquakes of 2011. The church was closed for repairs. However, we used the church hall or another nearby church to keep the tradition going.
Then along came covid and inside services were stopped so we joined up for an outside carol singing and barbecue.
Now the repairs are complete. This lovely old church has been restored to its former glory with everything in pristine condition including the stunning stained glass window above the altar.

St Faith’s Church New Brighton Early 2000’s

The Service itself has an interesting history.
Up until the middle of the 18th century traditional Christmas Carols were not sung in churches. Choristers went around the streets to parishioners’ homes and serenaded them. In 1878 the Salvation Army instituted the idea of the Brass band playing Christmas Carols and the tradition that most of us remember was started.
In 1880 Bishop Benson of Truro Cathedral in Cornwall held a Christmas Eve service in which carols were sung along with readings from the scriptures. This was done to entice people out of the pubs to come and sing traditional carols. It proved very popular, and the service was soon taken up in other cathedrals.
The modern Service ‘Nine Lessons and Carols ‘began at Kings College Cambridge in 1918. The Dean, Eric Milner-White, saw the need to raise the mood of a somber nation following the losses of the Great War. He upgraded the old service, along with the world-renowned Kings College Choir, to meet this need. It was a great success. Soon the BBC broadcast it via radio and later TV to a world-wide audience. Churches throughout the Commonwealth and America began to use the service.

St Faith’s Church & New Brighton Silver Band  Nine Lessons and Carols 2023

This service, along with the ANZAC parade are the two most important playouts on the band calendar. Both have long histories and are an integral part of the band’s close ties with the community.
Grant Newby
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We have a new Musical Director

It is with great pleasure that on behalf of the NBSB committee, we can inform you that we have appointed Lachlan Grant as the next Musical Director of New Brighton Silver Band.
We are fortunate to have someone of the caliber of Lachie want to be part of the NBSB family, as we look forward to him joining us, effective immediately.
Lachie is part of the New Zealand Army Band, but has also played for Auckland City Brass and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and has also been an Itinerant Music Teacher.
Congratulations and welcome to the NBSB Family Lachie.  We look forward to this new chapter and what it brings.
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We Farewell Cam

With the CPBBA Contest last Saturday behind us, it was also a sad day for the Band as this was our Cam’s last time as Musical Director, as he moves into a bigger role with the NZ Army Band.
Cam started with us in January 2022 and hit the ground running, with all new music and a short time to prepare until our first concert.
Cam also reintroduced the Band to recording; we got to record a couple of tracks, which is believed to be the first time the Band has done so since before the World Wars.
In Cam’s 2 years in the band, he has lifted the Band and put the fire back in our belly, and with the NZ Army Band’s Mutual Assistance Programme (MAP) the Band has gone from strength to strength.
With a number of concerts played, Cam also took us to 3 Contests, 2 being the CPBBA Contests (which we won last year and placed 2nd in this year) and a 2nd place at this year’s National Contest in Dunedin.
One that stands out in Cam’s time was this year’s ANZAC Service – this was noticed around the South Pacific in the Military world, which was a huge thrill for the Band.
Over Cam’s time, he has also arranged master classes and guest conductors for the Band, which has added so much value and growth to the Band as a whole and has set the bar high for our next Musical Director.
We are very proud of this young man, what he has achieved, and where he is going, and wish him all the best for the future and what it holds.
Thank you Cam, for everything you have done for the Band over your time as the 16th Musical Director of the NBSB and in this chapter of our 138-year history
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CPBBA Contest 2023

The Band had a successful weekend at the CPBBA Contest, with a 2nd Overall placing in the D Grade competition. The Band had a very short buildup this time round of only 6 weeks of which Cam was away for 2 weeks of it but Cam appointed a stand in conductor which worked well. So a pretty result all in all.
Congratulations also go to our Jim Hill, winner of the C and D Grade Variation and the overall C/D Grade Champion.
A fantastic effort!
We would also like to thank Cam for all the work you have put into the band, especially over the last 6 months. You will be missed.
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Jim Hill retires after 37 years as Drum Major

Earlier this year we saw Jim Hill retire as the Band’s Drum Major after 37 years in the job. I’d just like to say you don’t tend to see anyone stay in that role for that long, but that’s Jim, he loved it.
I can remember that as a young fella, Jim used to take us, young guys, out in the rain for extra marching practices and drill us like Sergeant Major from It Ain’t Half Hot Mum. As Jim got older he doesn’t drill the Band as hard as he did, but still had very high standards.
We would like to thank Jim for 37 years as the Band’s Drum Major and all the extra work you have put into making the Band look smart and well-drilled when the Band is out marching in parades. Jim is going to be a hard act to follow and will be missed out the front, Sergeant Major.
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70th Korean Armistice Anniversary

On Saturday 29th July morning, the Band was invited to play in commemoration of the 70th Korean Armistice anniversary at the beautiful Songpa-Gu Sister City Garden, Halswell Quarry Park. It was well attended by ex-serviceperson-ly, Army, Navy, and a number of Dignitaries from the Christchurch City Council, the NZ  government, and the Korean Embassy
It was a great honor to be part of this service.
The older members of the Band also remembered the late Barry White (Bones) a Life Member of the Band who also served in K Force in Korea.
Lest we forget.
Barry White ( Bones )
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2023 Dunedin Nation Contest

Well, the last 3 months have been busy with the Band working towards the 2023 Nation Contest in Dunedin, and what a day.
The Band was 2nd place overall in the D Grade.
3rd Place Hymn
2nd Place Own choice
1st Place Stage
Also, our wonderful Trombone section entered the Open Trombone Ensemble and came 3rd  place . We are very proud of them.
We are one happy Band that has come a long way in the last 18 months or so know thanks to our Musical Director Cam Lee.
Cam has done so much for the Band by pushing, shaping, and believing in us that we can do it. The Band is in a better place and is building on it all the time. So thank you Cam for all the hours you have put in and it showed today.
The Band also says goodbye to Katja Warns who is part of our wonderful Trombone team as she is heading off back to her motherland next week.
Thank you for all that you have done and added to our Trombone team and wish you safe travels back home.
We would like to thank our wonderful Supporters Club. These girls are amazing and work so hard for the Band. This Contest they organized and payed for the Band Dinner on Friday night. So thank you again.
And a big thank you again everyone of you out there for your support. At means alot.
The Band is going to have a break with a week off and then our AGM and when we come back we will start practicing for the CPBBA Contest in September.
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