History

 

History of the Band

Waitakere Auckland Brass was established in 1923 as the New Lynn Citizens Band. In 1938, just prior to the advent of World War II they disbanded. Happily, years later the band  re-formed,  built a band room in 1956 and entered the New Zealand Championships in the ‘D’ Grade. After winning the D’ Grade title in 1958 they were promoted to the ‘C’ Grade, but lingered there for 18 years.

The band’s fortunes took a major upturn in 1970 when the Reverend Tom Hill (ex-Salvation Army) was appointed as Musical Director. Under his expert guidance the band won the National ‘C’ Grade title in 1976 and the ‘B’ Grade title in 1980, leading to ‘A’ Grade status for the first time in the band’s history.

Due to sponsorship issues, the band underwent a series of name changes, which caused a large amount of confusion to its supporters. However, the band went from strength to strength and, in 1990 won the New Zealand National Championships for the first time, under the baton of Alan McKenzie. 

In 1995 the band toured the UK and Denmark under the baton of David Chaulk. During the tour the band performed with Leyland, Williams Fairey and CWS Glasgow bands and competed at the Pontins championships. It was at these championships that the band met their next Musical Director, Howard Taylor.

Howard Taylor moved to New Zealand 1997 and had success winning the hymn and test at the 1997 New Zealand Nationals. Nine years after winning its first A Grade National championship the band won the National Championships again in 1999, winning every prize at the contest. With Howard Taylor at the helm the band later represented New Zealand at the 2001 Chinese New Year parade in Hong Kong.

Following Howard Taylors move to Australia the band was under the baton of Andrew Snell, another British conductor. Andrew spent 11 years as Bass Trombonist with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. In 2003 the band travelled to Newcastle, NSW to compete in the Australian National Brass Band Championships where it was crowned National Champions of Australia for the first time. 

In 2004 following the departure of Andrew Snell to Australia, the band employed Garry Cutt of Grimethorpe Colliery Band to take the band to the New Zealand Nationals in Christchurch.

Immediately following the contest, renowned composer, arranger and tuba player, Simon Kerwin took over as musical director. He saw the band in 2005 giving memorable concerts, including performing in front of 4,500 people at the Trusts Stadium, Henderson and at the Crowne Plaza in the immensely successful Jazz Mania concert. In September 2006, Simon led the band on a wonderful two week tour in Europe. This began with the Swiss Open contest in Lucerne, Switzerland and followed by a concert tour of northern England. The band performed in concerts with Fairey Band, Hepworth and Scottish Coop bands as well as getting in some great sightseeing.

After the tour Simon was succeeded by another import from Britain, baritone virtuoso and conductor Steven Booth.  In 2007 the band toured to Brisbane and entered the FABB Australian Open Championship. The band took a small Kapa Haka group and started their programme with a Haka. Steven retired from conducting in 2013 but continued playing as Principal Baritone winning the baritone championships in both New Zealand and Australia.

 

 

In 2014 Kerry Wood Soprano Cornet champion and ex Musical Director of Waikato Brass took the baton. Kerry continued to build a platform of strong players. In 2015 it was an exciting year for the band with a major Sinatra Tribute concert at Auckland’s Town Hall 2015 also saw the band tour China for the Shanghai Tourism Festival as well as a 20 year celebration of Sister City status with Ningbo.

2016 saw the birth of a new era for Waitakere Auckland Brass when Mr Howard Taylor was appointed MD of the band with Grant Langdon as Resident Conductor. That year we won the Hymn, were runner-up in the Set Test and achieved 3rd on Aggregate at the NZ Championships held in Napier. Subsequently the band went on to become Auckland Brass Band Champions in September 2016.

2017 saw Grant Langdon became the full time MD of the band and they went on to perform and play some magical concerts as well as getting more involved in community events like St Patricks Day Parade and Brass at the Falls, further building the bands profile, 

Covid-19 played its part in 2020 with a global pandemic outbreak and New Zealand went into a lockdown. All music events were cancelled or postponed including the New Zealand National Championships for 2020 until the virus was under control in the country. However, in 2021 The band was able to travel to Christchurch to compete in the National Contest placing 4th equal and with Grant's own arrangement of Earth Wind and Fire the band won the music aggregate for the Street March. 

As Grant steps away from conducting in 2025 we welcome back Steven Booth to conduct the band. We look forward to the next chapter of the band's history.

The Band has always been at the forefront of Brass Band activity, performing around New Zealand and embarking on international tours to the UK, China and more.

As well as contests and tours the band have had, for many years enjoyed performing at their own successful concerts such as Jazz Mania, Celtic Brass and Toys 4 Kids. In addition to contests, concerts and tours overseas, the musical life of the band has included television shows, TV commercials, concerts at Music Festivals, Fanfares at corporate events and many more.

Over the years the Waitakere Auckland Brass Band has been lucky enough to have many reputed conductors at the helm and instrumentalists around the stands and to this day we have National Champions in our ranks.