Brass band musicians converge on Hamilton

Richard Edgecombe (Hamilton City Brass) and Lizzie Barr (Brass Factory) rehearsing with Hamilton Auxiliary Brass. Photo / Supplied

Brass band players of all ages from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty will converge on Hamilton next week for the Thomsons ITM — 2018 Waikato Bay of Plenty Brass Band Contest.

Hosted by Hamilton City Brass and Hamilton Auxiliary Brass the two-day event will feature solo and party events on Saturday 29 September and full band events on Sunday 30 September.

In solo events players of all ages and abilities compete against players of similar experience or standard — from a novice event for those competing at their first contest through to veteran events for the more seasoned players.

This year Hamilton City Brass baritone player Richard Edgecombe competes in both championship and veterans events — he first competed at a local regional contest (then the South Auckland Brass Band contest) in 1952 so he has been attending local contests for over 60 years.

In contrast Lizzie Barr is eight years old and will be competing at her first local contest in the novice section. Lizzie has been learning cornet for 18 months and is now eager to play in her first solo event — even with a broken arm.

Lizzie is a member of the Hamilton Brass Factory, the successful brass learner programme run by Hamilton City Brass.

Band spokesperson Marilyn Edgecombe says that one of the many positive aspects of brass banding is that a variety of ages can be involved and that it is not uncommon for an experienced player in their 60 and 70s or even 80s to be seated alongside a teenager in a band.

Socially it is a great opportunity for musicians of all ages to work together to play music.
Nine bands from Hamilton, Whakatāne, Matamata, Gisborne, Rotorua, Te Awamutu and Cambridge will be competing in the band events.

Each band plays an entertaining 45-minute programme including a sacred item, a major work, featured soloist and light music.

Don't miss hearing Hamilton's two brass bands — Hamilton City Brass under Musical Director Glenn Richards and Hamilton Auxiliary Brass under Musical Director TeReo Hughes as they take on the best of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

Competition is fierce so don't miss this opportunity to see Hamilton's brass musicians in contesting mode.