Military band taking shape

The creation of a military band for the East Timor Defence Force has moved a step closer with New Zealand help.

The New Zealand Defence Force donated brass instruments in March.

That has been followed by a two-week visit by the Royal New Zealand Air Force's music director, Squadron Leader Owen Clarke, and Staff Sergeant Tristan Mitchell from the New Zealand Army Band.

The pair's task was to begin training and providing advice for a military band after a request from East Timor authorities.

Squadron Leader Clarke said yesterday that the job presented an unusual set of hurdles but proved highly rewarding.

"Starting a military band from scratch is a challenging and long-term task," he said.

During the pair's visit, they began teaching a small group of East Timor Defence Force volunteers on brass instruments and drums.

"Each day, with the help of an interpreter, we would begin with music lessons on the brass instruments that included a trombone, a couple of trumpets, a tuba and euphonium," he said.

"After lunch we would get the drums out and practise rhythms and marching formations."

After two weeks of training, the basis of the band was established with a drum corps.

Squadron Leader Clarke said advice would now be given on how to develop the band in the long term.

- NZPA