Young Talent

Base Woodbourne’s Delta Lounge was converted into a band room in late January as the National Youth Brass Band got ready for their first concerts together. 35 young band members came from around New Zealand, including five members of Territorial Air Force Bands, to practice at Woodbourne before they embarked on a tour through the South Island.

They practiced for eight to nine hours a day under the guidance of musical director Kevin Moseley. ‘The rehearsals went really well. The facilities are fantastic and we’ve got a good programme. The public will really enjoy the concert,’ he said.

Territorial Air Force players AFCDTY Erynne Scherf, AC Aimee Beaumont, AC Lisa Crawley, LAC Hamish Jellyman and LAC Anthony Bracegirdle were selected for the band during the audition process last year.

Mr Moseley said the band was looking forward to getting on the road, where they would perform concerts in Nelson, Christchurch and Timaru. The first half of the concert was traditional brass band music but for the second half the players are changed around like an army band arrangement and the music takes a turn for the more contemporary.

The first concert was to Woodbourne personnel and with an overwhelmingly positive response the band members were looking forward to performing to more people over the South Island.