Thank you to The Stevens Family Trust

Posted on November 14, 2025 by Aaron Hannah

Recently the Band received a significant donation from the Stevens Family Trust to support the development of younger players. In making this donation, Mr. Stevens commended the band on continuing with the ideals and values of his good friend, our previous Band Musical Director Mr Geoff Butler, whom he held in very high regard.

It is with heartfelt thanks that the band accepts this very generous donation from Mr Stevens and the Stevens Family Trust. Be assured, it will be used to promote those ideals and values that Geoff instilled into the band.

Geoff loved to start youngsters off on a journey with brass bands. Many played in top bands throughout the country and beyond. Some of those youngsters stayed, and still play with New Brighton. The youngest of those has been here a little over 38yrs. The oldest, well, quite a bit longer!

Thank you again Mr Stevens and the Stevens Family Trust; the Band appreciates this very much.

 

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New Brighton Cenotaph 100th Celebration

Posted on November 14, 2025 by Aaron Hannah

Sunday 9 November saw the Band joined by Shirley Boys, Avonside Girls, and the New Brighton RSA in celebrating the Centennial of the New Brighton Cenotaph, as well as Armistice Day.

This is something the Band was proud of being part of, as the Band has played every ANZAC day here from the beginning 100 years ago.

It was a great little service with entertainment provided from the Band and Shirley Boys, and Avonside Girls Kapa Haka Group.

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The Champion’s Centre Family Day

Posted on November 14, 2025 by Aaron Hannah
On Sunday, 2 Nov, we had the privilege of playing at The Champion Center’s Family Day at Larcombe Vineyard.
This is a gig the Band loves doing, as one of our own Band families has had support and help from this fantastic organization.
It’s also a great opportunity for the Band to give back, and an honour to support the Champion Center with this fun day for so many children and their families.
This was also the last time this Years MAPS boy played with us before they all headed home .
           
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We are the 2025 CPBBA’s Champion’s

Posted on September 30, 2025 by Aaron Hannah
Earlier this month, the Band competed in this year’s CPBBA’s contest, held at Cashmere High.
With a great lineup of bands and some fantastic performances,
we managed to come away with
1st in Hymn,
1st in Test Piece,
2nd in Stage March,
and 1st in Entertainment.
This made us this year’s D Grade Champions.
Today we also had several band members competing in the Solo and Duet events, with two from our learners’ group competing for the very first time.
The Band is buzzing, as this is the first time we are the NZ and Canterbury D Grade Champions at the same time.
We have to thank our Musical Director, Lachlan Grant, for his leadership and the way he makes everyone feel included, making band practices fun and enjoyable. We are so lucky to have this young man as part of the New Brighton Silver family.
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Out in our Community

Posted on September 1, 2025 by Aaron Hannah
Sunday morning saw the Band out braving the cold and wet weather at the Eastern Community Sport and Recreation Community day.
This was also the first time our learners group joined the Band, who supported them on a couple of awesome tunes (which they did a great job on, well done guys!). This year’s MAPS boys also played on this cold rainy winter’s day, weather they are not used to, but the Band really enjoys them being part of the New Brighton Silver family.
We would like to thank Jack McKenzie for stepping in for this concert to cover as Musical Director while Lachlan was away with the NZ Army Band.
📷 Mike Gibbs
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The Bands 2024-2025 AGM

Posted on August 12, 2025 by Aaron Hannah
Wednesday 23rd July saw the Bands’ 2024-2025 AGM and Prize Giving.
It was a great reflection on what a successful year the Band has had, and a look forward to discuss what the Band has planned for the upcoming months.
The night started with our Supporters Club’s AGM which is aways short, sweet and entertaining.
It was followed by the Band’s AGM and Prize Giving, and a delicious supper thanks to our Supporters Club.
This coming year the Band will have a new President, George Haywood, who was new to the Band’s committee last year. The Band would also like to take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge our outgoing President, Jim Hill, for all the work he has done in his time as President.
The winners of this year’s Prize Giving were:
J Wear Cup – Michelle Kirk
J Wear Junior Cup – Zac Canons
M & K Stamler Juniors Trophy – Jack Gibbs
A big congratulations to all our award winners.
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2025 New Zealand D Grade Champions

Posted on July 13, 2025 by Aaron Hannah
We have done it!
What an awesome day! The Band’s Patron, the Honorable Errol Miller, said we are going to win, and win we did.
With loads of placings over the years, the Band today has broken a 110 year drought by becoming the 2025 D Grade New Zealand Brass Band Champions.
The buildup to this fantastic event has been a very enjoyable one, thanks to our amazing Musical Director, Lachlan Grant, who was also awarded Champion Musical Director for D Grade – a thoroughly deserved accolade for his positive leadership and direction in our journey to Nationals.
Lachlan’s cool, calm wit and positive outlook radiated out over the Band to get us the results today.
Thank you, Lachlan!
The Band enjoyed a few drinks and a meal afterwards to celebrate.
The Band would like to thank all our loyal supporters, the Brass Band Association of New Zealand, and all the sponsors and helpers who made this event one of the best in the world.
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Partnership with South New Brighton School

Posted on June 15, 2025 by Aaron Hannah
Back in May, South New Brighton School’s Brass group paid a visit to the Band room and watched the 50’s Up Brass Band practice, which gave the students a taste of the working of a full Brass Band.
This is a new partnership this year between South New Brighton and New Brighton Silver, to build the Brass movement in our community. Some of the students have also started playing in our Wednesday night learner’s group.
Thanks to our President, Jill Hill and Grant Newby, for working behind the scenes to get this program off the ground.
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ANZAC Day 2025

Posted on May 3, 2025 by Aaron Hannah

The Cenotaph in New Brighton was unveiled 99 years ago and the New Brighton Band has been involved in every Parade since then,

 

This year was no exception, and the band was again joined by 10 young men from around the Pacific who are part of the MAP programme run by the NZ Army Band. New Brighton Silver band is the host civilian band for these young men. They paraded with us in there national uniforms and provide an added dimension to this very special day.

 


Drum Major Jim Hill with a band of 32 players led the Parade of returned Service men, Army Cadets. Emergency Service personnel, and the youth groups of our community, including the Prefects from both Avonside Girls and Shirley Boys High Schools along          Marine Parade to the Cenotaph.

 

 

 

Marine Parade was lined with many families who joined on at the end of the Parade to
gather with us at the Cenotaph. Like other places numbers attending ANZAC Day services is increasing and a big crowd was present to participate in the Service.
The band played the anthems, and traditional music, including a Reflective piece and the bugle calls. Special Thanks to our Bugler, Vickie Ward, whom we believe, is the first woman to play the bugle calls in our 99-year ANZAC history.

 

 

 

 

Writeup by Grant Newby                                                                                                                        Photos by Justin Marshall

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City to Surf 2025

Posted on April 15, 2025 by Aaron Hannah
Back in March the Band had its first outing for the 2025 Season playing to thousands at this year’s City to Surf fun run.
This is something new for the Band, and really enjoyed.playing some well known chart hits like Eye of the Tiger, Rocky Theme, YMCA which went down well by all the dancing that was going on.
Another good size band with 36 players including this year’s Map’s boys which was also there first outing with the Band.
It was a very enjoyable day and great to be back out in our community again entertaining all.
          
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