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.
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
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.