The Trusts Waitakere Brass Band - New Zealand

Waitakere clean up (May 2008)

‘The Trusts’ Waitakere Brass had a very successful day at the Auckland Bands Association Solo and Ensemble contest, held 25 May. With 10 players from the band competing in 7 different classes, the depth of talent in the band was highlighted, and for the second consecutive year the band were awarded the ‘Conductors Cup’ for the highest aggregate winners scores.

Successes of the day included Waitakere gaining 1st to 5th placings in the Any Age Slow Melody, all three top placings in the Any Age Not Slow Melody, a 1st placing in the Open Quartet, and 2nd placings in the Under 19 Slow Melody and the Open Duet. Waitakere was also well represented in the Championship classes, with 5 players being invited to compete in both the Slow and Not Slow Melody classes.

Musical Director and 2008 Australian Baritone Champion Steven Booth again showed his class by convincingly winning the Not Slow Melody title, and being placed 2nd in the Slow Melody event. Prinicpal Cornet player Carolyn Ramsbottom and Soprano Cornet Champion Fendall Hill were also placed 2nd and 3rd in the Not Slow Championship class.

An enjoyable day was had by players and supporters alike, and Waitakere Brass would like to thank the ABA committee for their work in making the day run so smoothly.

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Waitakere give to Waratah (May 2008)

The Trusts’ Waitakere Brass has donated around 50 original sets of band music to Waratah Brass Band. Last June’s floods were devastating for Waratah, with the band losing its entire library of music and incurring thousands of dollars of damage to equipment.

Waratah Band president and Tuba player Grahame Scott visited New Zealand last week and took the opportunity to attend a Waitakere rehearsal, where the music was officially gifted to the band. "The band has overcome a lot in the past few months with the floods destroying their bandroom, instruments, music and whole history.

Waitakere Brass’ Musical Director Steven Booth played with Waratah at the Australian National Championships in Brisbane last month and commented: “The band has overcome a lot in the past few months with the floods destroying their bandroom, instruments, music and whole history. Hopefully this music can go a little way to rebuilding the band’s library".

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Drum Roll Please … Steven Booth Brings the Australian Baritone Champion Title back to NZ! (Mar 2008)

The Trusts Waitakere Brass have good reason to be proud of their Musical Director, following his visit to the Australian National Championships in Brisbane last week.

Steven guested with the Waratah band under their new MD Matt Van Emmerik and, not only was his solo playing in the set test Dances and Allelujas commented on by the adjudicator as one of the best and most musical of the day, he also helped the band to first place in the own choice section with some very musical solo playing in their rendition of Music of The Spheres, which they won from number one draw.

Steven also became the Australian National Baritone Champion with what was described by many listening as a 'simply sensational' performance of the set test, Concerto Per Flicorno Basso.

Steven commented on Waratah's tremendous efforts saying: "The band has overcome a lot in the past few months, what with the floods destroying their bandroom, instruments, music and whole history. They have also had several changes in personnel, but have overcome these challenges admirably, under the guidance of musical director Matt Van Emmerik and president Grahame Scott. The band are once again a serious force to be reckoned with and are back where they belong, as one of the leading bands in Australia."

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ENTERTAINING OPERA (Mar 2008)

The title of the concert certainly rang true when The Trusts Waitakere Brass took to the Glen Eden Playhouse stage on Saturday night to present ‘Entertaining Opera’. Under Musical Director Steven Booth, the band presented a selection of operatic arrangements, including music from Wagner’s ‘Lohengrin’, Gershwin’s ‘Porgy and Bess’, and Verdi’s dramatic ‘Force of Destiny’. The programme also included Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ from their 1975 album ‘A Night at the Opera’.

Soloists: The concert treated the audience to a rich variety of performances, with solo playing from Australasian Soprano Cornet Champion Fendall Hill and Euphonium player Bari Thomas, as well as sensitive ensemble work from Principal Cornet Leon Renilson and Flugelhorn player Courtney Hildreth.

...and Singing: Since no opera concert would be complete without singers, band members displayed their flexibility with impressive vocal performances from Cornet player Roxanne Haines, Bass players Stu Bennion and Jamie Mackay, Bass Trombonist Keith Stubley, and Fendall Hill. The band was also fortunate enough to be supported by vocal performances from members of the Waitakere Ladies Choir and Musica Sacra Choir, as well as pianist William Green. Compere Mark Haines wrestled with various foreign languages in his mission to acquaint the audience with the operatic plots, leaving them both entertained and educated. [ Back to top ]

 

WAITAKERE ON TRACK (Feb 2008)

‘The Trusts’ Waitakere Brass spent  the evening of Tuesday 19th February performing for some of the world’s top athletes. The band was invited to play at ‘The Black Singlet Invitational’ athletics meet, held at the Trusts Waitakere Stadium.

The event was the biggest athletics meet to be held in New Zealand in nearly 20 years, and was the first ever event to be hosted at the Douglas Track and Field since the completion of the new Trusts Grandstand. Adding to the excitement of the evening was the announcement of shot-putter Valerie Vili as the winner of the Supreme Prize in the Halberg Awards.

Vili was present at the meet and live television links from the awards ceremony in Christchurch were beamed into the stadium. Waitakere Brass provided music for medal ceremonies and entertainment throughout the evening to an enthusiastic 2000-strong crowd. [ Back to top ]

 

WAITAKERE EUPHONIUMS WED (Jan 2008)

 

‘The Trusts’ Waitakere Brass’ euphonium players Bari Thomas and Sean Whyte were married recently – but not to each other!

Bari Thomas married sweetheart Robyn Burrows in Rotorua on the 30th of November. The couple celebrated with close friends and family at a beautiful lake-front house, and then sang the night away on the karaoke machine.

Sean Whyte was married on the 12th of January to Waitakere Brass Tenor Horn player, Claire Bymolt, at a ceremony in the Waitakere Ranges. A quintet from the band provided ceremony music for the occasion, while the cake featured a Tenor Horn and Euphonium crafted out of sugar.

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Entertaining Opera!  (Jan 2008)

The 'Trusts' Waitakere Brass - Entertaining Opera!  Date: 23-Feb-2008 Start time: 7.30pm

Venue: Glen Eden Playhouse, Glendale Road, Glen Eden

Program will include opera classics, modern opera and even Rock Opera, and as usual with this band you WILL be entertained!

Tickets available from iticket on the web or from the Playhouse: Phone: (09) 818 5751 Fax: (09) 813 9343 Mobile: 021 215 1271 Email: enquiries@playhousetheatre.org.nz Website: www.playhousetheatre.org.nz or from Waitakere Brass directly - please see www.waitakerebrass.com

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