Air Force band plays free concert

Bold as brass and keen to take the brass band sound to a wider audience is the aim of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Base Auckland Band which performs in Henderson this month.

The 30-piece brass band is giving a one-off concert at the band rotunda in Falls Reserve on Sunday, February 15 from 2.00pm and its leader is excited to be performing at the venue.

“It’s really great to be playing in the community but even more exciting is playing at band rotunda like this, something I’d like to do more of as it means these structures are being used for what they were intended,” says bandmaster, Flight Sergeant Denis Spurdle.

Waitakere City Council is sponsoring the free concert and hopes to see a big turn out.
“This is a rare opportunity to see a band of this calibre in such a setting and we are delighted that they have agreed to perform in Waitakere,” says of the council’s Culture and Community Committee chairman, Judy Lawley.

“I would encourage anyone who loves this style of music to get down to Falls Reserve, sit back and enjoy a wonderful afternoon’s entertainment.”

Mr Spurdle says people who attend the concert can expect a varied programme from traditional military favourites to more modern tunes.

The part-time band is based at Whenuapai and is one of four RNZAF bands throughout New Zealand that play at military parades and ceremonial events as well military tattoo and pageants as well as major sporting and community events.

Many of its members live in Waitakere and it recently returned from a successful trip to Hong Kong were the band were the invited guests of the Hong Kong Tourism Board and performed in the Hong Kong Chinese New Year Parade and a series of concerts.

WHAT: A concert by the RNZAF Auckland Base Band

WHEN: Sunday, February 15 at 2.00pm. Free entry.

WHERE: Falls Reserve, Sel Peacock Drive, near the band rotunda.