Band Master

Flight Sergeant  Ron Abelson

F/S Abelson has had a long Military career with the New Zealand Defence Force, serving with the New Zealand Army Band as a Regular Force Musician, the RNZAF Base Woodbourne Band as a Territorial Musician and then in his current position, the Regular Force Bandmaster. F/S Abelson enlisted in the NZ Army Band in 1979 and held many positions within the Band, including Drum Major and Bandmaster, until his departure in 1999.  During this time Ron completed two tours of duty with the 1st Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment Band in Singapore.

In 2001 Ron re-enlisted into the RNZAF Base Woodbourne Band as a Territorial Musician and in 2005 joined the Regular Force Air Force as the RNZAF Base Woodbourne Bandmaster.

Ron plays Euphonium and is the current Drum Major of the Marlborough District Brass Band in Blenheim. This band competes regularly in the A Grade Section of the NZ Brass Band Championships with distinction.

In 2009 Ron was attached to the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment at RAF Cranwell in the United Kingdom. This was as an exchange for 4 months and resulted in valuable musical experiences and memories.