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Vintage Band

Nationals with Kumeu Brass

Kumeu Brass have attended the Brass Band Nationals in Wellington this past week (12th – 16th July)

Our soloist Christopher Rowe played in the Under 19 Soprano category and was successful in retaining the award for Soprano Champion for a second year, he was able to play in the Junior Champion of Champions. Well done Chris on a splendid result.

Kumeu Brass met up as a group on the Thursday night and were able to do a couple of last rehearsals before competing in the D grade on the Saturday morning. We were excited to win the cup for the Stage March and wit a 3rd in the Test selection we had an aggregate that gave us 3rd overall, a definite improvement on last years National competition.

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Vintage Band

Tony turns 90

Kumeu Vintage Brass held a surprise birthday for Tony Brooke last Thursday at their practice to celebrate his 90th birthday

Congratulations Tony and all the best from your Brass Band family

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Kumeu Brass Vintage Band

A Kumeu Brass Christmas

Kumeu Brass Inc was very busy over the lead up to Christmas

Both Kumeu Brass and Kumeu Vintage Brass were out and about entertaining the public around West and North Auckland with Christmas music.

The Vintage Brass played at Couldrey House, Hibiscus Coast Village and Orewa Community Church as well as several afternoons playing Christmas carols during December outside Westgate Pak n Save, Silverdale Countdown and Kumeu New World

Kumeu Brass played at Highwic Christmas Festival, Swanson Railway Carol Service, Helensville Christmas Carnival, Kumeu Community Carol Service as well as a couple of nights playing Christmas Carols outside Kumeu New World

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Vintage Band

Selwyn Heights Village

Picture this:  a cold, wet, blustery afternoon in Hillsborough, an uncomfortable trek across a partly unformed carpark – instrument under one wing, music stand under the other and umbrella tucked under something else.  Now, you approach two pair of large, automatic, double doors which open and invitingly ask you into an enormous warm room lit on two sides by floor-to-ceiling glass walls.  The seating is prepared and smiles are evident all around. 

This was the welcome Kumeu Vintage Band experienced on our first visit to the new entertainment centre of Selwyn Heights Village.  We did play a gig there about six years ago at the opening with Brian Miller at the helm.   

The theme for an hour today was “An afternoon at the Movies”.  The audience of about 150 was spread right around the band, some insisting on being very close, others preferring a safer distance but the response was the same: warm, welcoming, attentive and enthusiastic.  Graeme’s new audience quiz concept went down well with many amazingly alert minds responding actively and competitively.  It was also great to see John and Carol Russell in the audience. 

No surprises with the title selection:  popular themes included Olympic Fanfare and Theme, Born Free, The James Bond Theme, Mary Poppins, Les Mis (On My Own) with a superb solo horn performance by Leslie Terry, The Bridge on the River Kwai (Colonel Bogey- whistled with difficulty!) among half-a-dozen others including my favourite, Lara’s Theme from Dr Zhivago.  The very introduction by Graeme Gillies of “Dr Zhivago” brought audible gasps and palpitations from the lady members of the young-at-heart audience.

Keeping in mind this was our first playout since the Kumeu Show back in March (Covid 19!) we played reasonably well.  The acoustics of this reception and entertainment centre were brilliant and the accompany photographs confirm the excellent lighting.    “Please come again” was our host’s final request.

To see more photos, click the picture
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Vintage Band

Vintage plays Morning Melodies

Kumeu Vintage brass filled the Bruce Mason Centre on the 10th February with sweet muisc for their “Valentines of Love” concert.

Head over to the photo gallery to see the wonderful pictures taken by Alan Perston.

1955- 1961 Wanganui Garrison

1961 Cambridge Municipal

1961 – 1967 Te Awamutu Municipal

1967- 1971 Waitemata Silver

1971 Christchurch Fire Brigade

1971 – 1973 1RNZIR Singapore

1973 – 1976 Skellerup Woolston

1976 – 1978 1RNZIR Singapore

1978 – 1981 Skellerup Woolston

1981 – 1982 Greymouth

1982 – 1984 1RNZIR Singapore, Drum Major

1984 Greymouth

1984 – 1987 Continental Airlines

1988 – 1992 RNZAF Auckland, Bandmaster

1993 – 1996 New Lynn

2000 – 2002 New Lynn

2005 – 2008 Dalewool & North Shore

2009 – 2011 Auckland City Brass

2012 – 2013 Papakura

2014 – 2105 Auckland City Brass

2016 – 2018 Woolston Concert Brass2019 – 2020 Auckland City Brass

1964 – 1969 Taupo Citizen’s Silver Band playing Eb Bass, Euphonium.

1985-1986 Taupo Citizen’s Silver Band playing Euphonium and Trombone

2001- present Kumeu Brass playing Baritone