Last Practice for 2022

The last practice of the year at New Brighton Silver Band has traditionally been a social gathering, drawing of the Christmas raffle and more recently, the acknowledgement of service to the band movement.  This year we are proud to honour 3 of our members for long and outstanding service.

Jim Hill  55-Year Service

They say D Grade bands are the nursery and the retirement home for Brass players! Well Jim started off in Geoff Butler’s Nursery, and 55 years on is knocking on the door to join the Band’s Senior Citizens.

Jim came from a musical family, and as a 9-year-old he expressed a strong interest in learning a musical instrument. It didn’t take his dad long to find a willing tutor in the form of Geoff Butler at the New Brighton Silver Band.  Jim began his musical career playing a cornet, but soon moved to tenor horn before settling on trombone, the instrument he still plays.

Geoff was also the band conductor and encouraged and challenged Jim to develop his playing ability and musical skills. He also had some great mentors, and under them he developed the finer points of Trombone playing.

Now Jim is the mentor and he spends many hours generously sharing his knowledge and experience with any player who needs help and encouragement.

In the mid 1980’s Jim became Drum Major, a role he loves and is well suited to. Under his care the Band has won three National Titles.

For many years Jim has been Bandmaster, taking over when the MD is unavailable and doing section practices etc as required. Always, with skill, style and a good tinge of humour.

Jim is a very active committee member and undertakes many tasks that fall under the radar. He is our band-rooms caretaker and every week ensures that the rooms are maintained to a high standard.

Jim is a Life Member of the Band and a Trustee.

Bill Grub. 47 Years Service

Bill likes to tell people he was born in Moscow during the first half of last century!! Like all good stories it has elements of truth about it. Bill was born in Moscow University Hospital, Idaho, U.S.A.

At age 9 Bill started learning Piano, an instrument that has been an integral part of his musical journey. As an 11 year old high school student he joined the Moscow School Marching Band and learnt to play a Trumpet. Marching Bands are a little different to Brass Bands, with over 200 musicians playing a wide range of instruments, as well as lots and lots of Cheerleaders. The Marching Band took part in many Inter State competitions and even some up into Canada. Bill was also a keen American Football player. Later he attended Moscow University and again joined the Marching band.

Bill met Wife Elizabeth at University, and after study they moved away and eventually settled in Timaru.  Bill played piano at a musical Review alongside a couple of musicians from the local Brass Band. Very soon Bill was playing cornet with Timaru Municipal Band ( now Alpine Energy). Being a skilled cornet player he was very valuable to the band and his expertise on piano was an added bonus as he became the Band accompanist.

For his services to Timaru Municipal and Alpine Energy Band Bill was made a Life Member.

In 2016 Bill and Elizabeth moved to Christchurch and met up with New Brighton Silver Band at a Botanical Gardens Concert. Bill has added strength to our back row cornets but more importantly his skill, experience and warm and friendly manner makes him a great mentor to our young players.

Bill has continued to accompany soloists and remains a keen piano/ organist at their local church. He is also an active member of the 50 Plus Brass Band.

Aaron Hannah  35 Years Service

Aaron is the last student to come out of the Geoff Butler nursery and comes to us as part of Geoff’s legacy to this band.

Aaron first heard a cornet in late 1986 when a Salvation Army Bandsman came to his school and played and talked to the class about it. From then he was hooked. Aaron’s Dad took him down to the New Brighton Band-rooms and talked to Geoff Butler. Geoff gave Aaron a cornet and told him to come back when he could get a sound out of it. In very short order raucous cornet noises shattered the peace of the family home, and Aaron’s Dad had a discussion with Geoff that suggested he should either teach Aaron or have the cornet back. Aaron therefore became the last pupil of Geoff’s long line of bandsmen and women. Aaron started in Feb 1987 in the Junior band and moved to the main band in 1990 playing cornet.

Aaron played in the Shirley Boys’ High Band under Merv Waters and later, Dave Gallagher, and joined the combined orchestra with Avonside Girls’ High School for their annual productions. He also helped out at Kaiapoi Band playing Rep and solo cornet.

Aaron does a huge amount of work for the Band. He is Custodian and looks after all the band’s assets. He administers our Facebook page and always adds a weekly supplement. Recently he has taken over care of the website as well. He is an active committee member and  also a Life Member of Band.

The Lads