Rex's band plays on

Salvation Army Brass Band leader Major Rex Rees enjoys bringing the Christmas spirit to the community.

Major Rex Rees spent his working life with the Salvation Army belting out religious tunes on his cornet.

But get him to chat about his lifetime experiences and he gets a bit close-lipped.

"I don't tell stories," he says.

Hand him a cornet and its another matter - the Rotorua band leader soon opens up with his favourite musical memories.

"I've been in the Salvation Army since I was 15, almost 66 years, and began learning how to play music as soon as I became a Christian," he says.

He has been leader of the Rotorua Salvation Army Band for 16 years.

The eight member brass band can be heard giving performances in supermarkets and retirement homes around Rotorua in the lead up to Christmas.

Now retired, he began a life long career with the Salvation Army through his musical skills.

"I learnt from others in the old town bands in Wellington and Carterton, and was soon playing the cornet and euphonium.

"The bands were great places to learn but the number of musicians has fallen away.

"We only have eight in the band now but there was a time when playing in a brass band was very popular and we had 30 players.

"A lot of church music is now played with guitars."
With his wife June, Rex has conducted bands in most centres where he has worked for the Salvation Army - including Fiji.

"That was a lot of fun being quite a different culture, of course."

He has an extensive repertoire at his finger tips from church music to marches and religious arrangements, Maori and Glenn Miller classics.

Rex played The Last Post many times at Anzac remembrance services until several years ago.

In the heyday Rex remembers walking the streets with the band and playing door to door at Christmas around the town and through the countryside.
Farmers would often prepare lunch for the band.

"We had a great time carolling from door to door - the most requested tune was Silent Night.

"It was an unique experience but those traditions have died away as well."
This year the band has been playing in Central Mall, and at the combined churches "Hymn A Long" carol singing last Sunday.

"I get a lot of enjoyment playing and taking the Christmas message to people.
"It seems to awaken something inside folk which is really good to see.
"It has been a real pleasure."