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| soprano solos | | Tuesday, October 21, 2008 | 
Chris Woolley has been invited to be the feature soloist at this year's Christmas Mission Concert.
Chris Woolley began learning trumpet with David Gallaher while at secondary school.
He began playing 3rd cornet at Addington in 2004 eventually moving to soprano in 2006.
Chris played soprano cornet in the 2007 and 2008 New Zealand Youth Brass Bands and has been named in the 2009 band to tour Japan.
In 2007, Chris came second in the open soprano championship and this year he won the title at the national championships.
He is completing his Bachelor of Music in performance trumpet this year at the University of Canterbury studying with Iaan and Sarah Wilson. He is also finishing his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. Next year Chris intends to further his studies in trumpet at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington. |
| | marching through the town | | Sunday, October 19, 2008 | Addington Brass has recently been involved in leading two large parades through the centre of Christchurch
Sunday 14th September we began the parade for the Third World Vintage Rugby Carnival, with over 700 players in 30 teams from 8 countries marching from the Bridge of Remembrance to Christ's College. The start of the parade was interesting with the Irish team having to be led from the Bog bar and the NZ team gathered up from another bar along the strip. These lads and their partners thoroughly enjoyed partaking of the Christchurch hospitality!
Then on Sunday 19th October we lead the opening parade for the World Masters Squash Championships.
763 players from 39 countries were involved in the parade making this possibly the biggest squash event ever. We marched from the Bridge of Remembrance to Victoria Square. Again the beautiful Christchurch weather and welcoming hospitality in Christchurch caused a slight delay in the start as team members were gathered from the establishments along the Strip.
Addington were proud to represent Christchurch and New Zealand in these opening ceremonies.
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| | obituary - Laurie Jones | | Friday, September 12, 2008 | 
On Friday Laurie quietly left after a hard fought battle. He leaves us at Addington with many wonderful memories of a loyal bandsman, euphonium artiste and all round great guy.
Laurie played an integral part in the joining of Christchurch Brass (formerly Fire Service) and Addington. He almost single-handedly merged the two libraries - no small task.
Thanks for the memories Laurie, we will all miss you. |
| | wedding music | | Saturday, April 05, 2008 | 
Addington Brass Ensemble were proud to perform at the wedding of our trombone player - Mark Gregory. Mark and Tracey have been associated with Addington Brass and Christchurch City Brass for many years. It was a privilege to play for their wedding on April 5th.
Congratulations to you both.
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| | christmas mission a success.... | | Tuesday, January 01, 2008 | Comments from the audience confirmed that this years Christmas Mission improved on the high standard set in previous years.
From the first item where Genevieve singing acapella the first verse of "Once in Royal David's City" and then being joined by the band for the final verses through the entertaining and challenging Euphonium items and right to the Christmas encore, the audience were treated to a evening of festive music - all the old favourites in exciting new arrangements.
This year we were able to donate a sizeable amount to the City Mission to support their good work in Christchurch. |
| | genevieve jensen - sings for christmas | | Thursday, December 06, 2007 | 
Addington Brass are pleased to announce that Genevieve will be appearing with Addington Brass at Christmas Mission.
Genevieve Jenson is a young performer from Christchurch, having just turned eighteen she has completed her second year of her B.Mus in Performance Voice at University of Canterbury.
Genevieve is currently rehearsing for the North Canterbury Musical Society’s production of Les Miserables in April 2008, when she will play Cosette. Her recent performances include chorus work for Southern Operas ‘Carmen’ (2007) and the role of Molly in the University of Canterburys production of ‘The Godboy’. She also played the role of ‘La Sorella Infermiera’ in Canterbury Operas 2005 Season of ‘Suor Angelica’ and understudied the role of ‘Suor Genovieffa’. She performed the role of ‘Frederika’ in Sondheims ‘A Little Night Music’ with Canterbury Opera in 2004.
Genevieve has also sung at many different events, such as Coca-cola Christmas in the park, the opening of the New Zealand Ballroom and Latin Dance Championships and with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra at Canterbury Operas 21st Birthday gala concert. In 2005 Genevieve had the pleasure of singing with Teddy Tahu Rhodes at a benefit concert in the Great Hall, and in 2004 she performed in ‘The Sopranos Concert’ for the Nelson Arts Festival and again in Christchurch.
Genevieve enjoys singing a wide variety of styles, including opera, jazz and contemporary music. Along with the many hours of performance and voice work, she also spends her time doing Ballroom and Latin American Dancing.
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| | davey returns | | Tuesday, November 20, 2007 |  Addington are pleased to welcome Davey back to the fold. This time as the feature soloist in our annual Christmas Mission concert.
Born in Hull, East Yorkshire, David followed the family tradition by playing euphonium with the local Salvation Army Band. His musical journey continued, studying the euphonium for two years with the world renowned euphonium soloist Dr Robert Childs.
During this time David was offered the position of Principal Euphonium with the East Yorkshire Motor Services Band, conducted by Dr Childs, a position he held for seven years. David also played Solo Euphonium for the National Youth Band of Great Britain for two years.
Whilst in the UK David gained a wealth of experience playing with some of England's top brass bands under the baton of the finest musical directors in Britain.
In January 1997 David was invited to New Zealand to play Principal Euphonium with Woolston Brass of Christchurch. David stayed with Woolston Brass for four years, before swapping the euphonium for the baton with his appointment as Musical Director of Addington Brass in 2000.
He has now however returned to playing and has come a full circle to rejoin the Woolston Brass Band as their principal euphonium.
Davey has selected challenging and entertaining music to showcase his skill on the euphonium, from soft and gentle to ????? well you will have to come along to hear it.
With Davey as the featured soloist, Addington performing Christmas favourites and a few other special guests this will be an entertaining evening.
As a bonus the proceeds are going to the Christchurch City Mission so come along and support the band and a fantastic charity. |
| | provincial champions | | Saturday, September 15, 2007 | Addington Brass have again taken the provincial silverware for the B Grade division home. Winning first place in the:
Street March
hymn
own choice
entertainment
The Street March was held in the Westpac Centre grounds and despite a rogue motorcyclist following the right turn (we just went around him), the band continued to play PUNCHINELLO and march on to the finish and a narrow victory over Timaru Brass.
The Hymn chosen was Kenneth Downie's PEACE and the own choice, the eternal TALLIS VARIATIONS by Phillip Sparke.
For the entertainment section our two grumpy old men (Stadler and Wardorf from the Muppets, or Bernie and Brian from Addington) led the band to a great half hour of entertaiment. The band opened with 2001, morphing into the MUPPETS, this was followed by Barrie Aldridge (solo trom) leading us into SPARKLING DIAMONDS from the movie Moulin Rouge.
The cornet team then divided into three smaller groups to perform Vivaldi's DOUBLE TRUMPET CONCERTO. Another section to grab the limelight was the trombones with the Tom Jones classic, IT'S NOT UNUSUAL.
We finished the performance with a rousing rendition of excerpts from THE LITTLE RUSSIAN (Tchaikovsky).
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| | double all black ... | | Sunday, August 19, 2007 | ...well sort of. Chris Woolley (soprano/trumpet) has had an outstanding year, being selected as a member of the New Zealand Youth Brass Band and also of the New Zealand Youth Orchestra.
An impressive effort and well deserved. |
| | obituary - G Bruce Knowles | | Sunday, August 05, 2007 | 
Bruce Knowles was a valued life member of Addington Brass. Despite not playing so much in recent years he continued to make himself available for committee positions and was a supporter of any activity of the band.
As well as his local efforts, Bruce was well known through out the brass band community for his work on National and Provincial executives, culminating in well deserved life membership awards for the Brass Band Association of New Zealand (BBANZ) and the Canterbury Provincial Brass Band Association.
Bruce's involvement with brass bands started in 1947 as a playing member of Oamaru Garrison Band, he transferred to Kaikorai Brass in 1963. In 1979 Bruce and his family moved to Christchurch where he played for the Woolston Workingmens Club Band for a couple of years until joining Addington Brass on Baritone in 1981.
As well as playing membership, Bruce was always busy behind the scenes, holding positions such as Treasurer and Secretary for both Addington and Kaikorai as well as the previously mentioned national and provincial positions.
Bruce will be missed by us all and particularly by his wife Pearl and their family. Our thoughts and best wishes go to them.
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| | result from the national contest | | Monday, July 09, 2007 | although not reflected by our placing the band performed well at the national championships. We were happy coming off stage on both days and were placed third in the own choice and hymn selection, A fourth equal in the test placed us fourth in the aggregate.
a review from "four bars rest" of our own choice performance
Addington Brass, Iaan Wilson
Tallis Variations, Sparke:
Bang on the mark from the word go. Lots to admire with detail in clarity in the ensemble. Top notch soloist too – flugel, solo cornet and euph show class. Gets a little untuneful with mutes at times but MD brings the music out with some style and shape. Just loses focus with intonation problems now and again but fine climax (well done sop) and a well controlled close also.
Overall: A very good performance this – a couple of nasty moments but lots of quality also.
Star player: Solo cornet – well done sir!
overall all we had a fantastic time and appreciated the quality of the performance venue at the Bruce Mason Centre. Thanks North Shore for a well run contest. |
| | baby news! | | Friday, June 29, 2007 | 
To Gary and Maree - a gorgeous wee girl Mackenzie Elizabeth
Born on Thurs 28th (head) and Fri 29th (feet)
A very good reason for not making contest this year Gary - it won't work for next year though! |
| | preparing for the national contest | | Monday, June 11, 2007 | It has been a busy few months for Addington Brass. All players are pleased to be working on contest music after a most demanding concert on April 28 which included Moorside Suite, Judges of the Secret Court, and guest soloist, Sarah Wilson, playing the famous Arutjunjan Trumpet Concerto. As you can see our musical director, Iaan Wilson, does not work us lightly! If the truth be known, it is somewhat refreshing to have only two pieces on the music stand at present, but please don't tell Iaan........
Iaan has called some extra sectional rehersals and has been working with the cornet and horn teams, leaving Davey Boyes (on the solo euph chair) able to look after the more important end of the band. Rehersals have been well attended, however Iaan's lists of bar numbers to work on does seem to grow rather than diminish.
Unfortunately, Gary Vercoe (eupho) is unable to attend this years contest. Due to some poor planning, he will become a Dad at about the same time the rest of us will be playing Salamander. He assures us however, that he will be thinking of us. The band is grateful to Steve Griffin for helping us out in Gary's absence.
Section Leaders
Musical Director Iaan Wilson
Soprano: Chris Woolley
Cornet: John Wise
Flugel: Grant Dempsey
Horn: Mat Johnston
Baritone: Brian Smith
Euphonium: Davey Boyes
Trombone: Barrie Aldridge
Bass: Tony Biddington
Percussion: Bernie Lynch
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| | sarah, the guest soloist. | | Thursday, April 12, 2007 | 
Sarah Wilson was born in Nelson. After earning a B.Mus at Auckland University she traveled to the UK to study performance trumpet at the Trinity College of Music in London. She gained a Masters with distinction in performance portfolio.
Whilst in the UK Sarah freelanced as a professional trumpet player with ensembles such as the Royal Opera House Orchestra, English National Ballet, London Concert Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony, Scottish Opera, BBC Concert Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic.
While living in London Sarah was the resident trumpeter of St Bartholomew the Great, one of the oldest churches in the city of London, performing for the City Guilds and also for HRH the Queen.
Sarah also plays the natural trumpet and cornetto.
Sarah returned to New Zealand in 2004 after almost a 12 year absence. Since her return she has had engagements with the Vector Wellington Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
Sarah is currently Associate Principal Trumpet in the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. Her solo engagements with the orchestra have included performances of Copland's 'Quiet City’ and performing one of the solo parts in Vivaldi's double trumpet concerto in the new Cathedral series.
Addington are proud to present Sarah as their guest soloist for the Cathedral Concert on Saturday 28th April. |
| | cathedral brass | | Thursday, April 12, 2007 |  A selection of classical music to please every listener. From Holst to Rimsky-Korsakov, Berlioz to Tchaikovsky.
Feature soloist is Sarah Wilson, Trumpet CSO, playing the famous Arutjunjan Trumpet Concerto. |
| | wedding bells | | Saturday, January 06, 2007 |  For two ex-members of Addington Brass. Congratulations Cathy and Mike on finally tying the knot.
They met many years ago at Addington rehearsals and despite not currently playing for Addington they have both remained good friends of the band. Mike is a member of the NZ Army Band and Cathy is currently playing for The NZ Army Territorial Band.
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| | festive fusion with a mission | | Friday, December 08, 2006 |  The charity for this year's concert is the Christchurch City Mission. All profit from the concert will be donated to help the Christchurch City Mission continue to support those less fortunate in our city. Christmas is a busy time for them so come along to the concert, enjoy an evening of great music and know you money is going to a great cause.
As always Addington presents a fantastic lineup of local talent. Our guest soloist is Kevin Hickman on cornet.
We are also proud to be presenting one of the Cathedral's own singers Chris Bruerton in a soloist role singing Christmas favorites, accompanied by the Addington Brass Ensemble.
Chris Bruerton is young Christchurch baritone.
He completed his Mus.B in 2004 and his Mus.B (Hons) (first class) in performance voice in 2005.
Chris has nearly finished his teacher training at the New Zealand Graduate School of Education and looks forward to a full time Music and French position at Burnside High School, starting in 2007.
He has a Dip. Abrsm in piano and played with the professional percussion ensemble, Pandemonium for three years.
A current Godley Scholar, Chris has been singing with the Christchurch Cathedral Choir for ten years. He is also a member of Cantores and sings occasionally at engagements around the city.
No concert would be complete without the talent of Barry Brinson. Barry will again be joining Addington, providing keyboard accompaniment for the soloists and arranging music for the band. Barry's Christmas arrangements are a pleasure to play and to listen to. Come along and join the Christmas fun.
Watch for the special guests from the Southern Ballet during the four dances from the Nutcracker Suite. |
| | kevin - champion of the world (well new zealand anyway) | | Thursday, November 23, 2006 | 
Featured soloist at this year's Christmas concert is Kevin Hickman current New Zealand Champion of Champions and principle cornet of Woolston Brass.
Kevin started playing the cornet at the age of 9 in the Feilding Brass Band. At the age of 12 he was taken under the wing of Kevin Jarrett who tutored Kevin until he left Wanganui as a 20 year old.
Kevin Then spent 3 years in England playing in the Hillingdon Brass Band, just outside London, under Philip Sparke.
On his return to New Zealand Kevin moved to Christchurch and joined the famous Woolston Brass Band. Kevin has been principle cornet at Woolston for the last 12 years.
Kevin has been selected in 3 National Bands, won the New Zealand Open Amateur Cornet twice, been runner up in the Australian Cornet Championship twice, was placed 2nd in the New Zealand Champion of Champions in 1994 and this year won the New Zealand Championship Cornet and New Zealand Champion of Champions. Kevin has also been a member of many New Zealand Champion quartet’s, ensembles and duets.
Kevin is an account manager for Christchurch printing firm Spectrum Print, and is married to Sarah, and has two sons Thomas 6 and Jacob 1.
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| | excellent percussion | | Wednesday, September 20, 2006 | It is always great to see our young musicians performing. Emma Powell undertook a challenging exam performing four different pieces on three percussion instruments (kit, timpani and
marimba), in front of a good sized crowd and an examiner.
The performance at the Christchurch Music Centre Chapel (Barbadoes Street) was a wonderful disply of Emma's talent and certainly proved to us all that percussionists don't just "hit" things. The musicianship and skill shown by Emma was a tribute to the many hours she spent practicing for this performance/exam.
The examiner thought so too - congratulations Emma on your EXCELLENCE grade for this exam.
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| | another win - provincial champions | | Sunday, September 17, 2006 | 
Addington has added to its collection of trophies with a win at the Canterbury Provincial Championships held in Christchurch.
The contest consisted of three events:
The Street March (Held in the Botanical Gardens!)
The Hymn and Own Choice test pieces
The Entertainment concert
Addington performed well in all events and, once again came away with the silverware.
The highlights of the entertainment concert were
BUGLERS HOLIDAY - ably performed by Ian, Sarah and Rachel Lester on traditional bugles with a little help from the solo cornet team of John Wise, Chris Bull and Pete Gallagher.
The rescue of a drowning compere (Ian Lester) by the PADSTOW LIFEBOAT crewed by Rachel and Sarah Lester.
A touch of SUMMERTIME from Grant Dempsey on Flugel. |
| | **B GRADE CHAMPION BAND 2006** | | Thursday, July 06, 2006 | First place in the own choice secured our place as the aggregrate winner of the 2006 B Grade Championships held in Dunedin.
A second placing (by one point) in the test and a close third in the hymn.
Check out the NZ Brass Band Association Website for full contest results
http://www.brassnz.co.nz/results2006nats.htm
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| | motukarara rail trail | | Sunday, May 28, 2006 | 
The Addington Brass Ensemble braved the fog and the cold to help celebrate the opening of the first stage of the biking/walking track along the route of the old Little River Railway.
There were hundreds of energetic people out to celebrate this day and a little bit of cold and damp did not stop them. After the welcome, blessing and prayer from the local Iwi the track was formally opened by Jim Anderton MP and the band played beside the entrance to the track as the cyclists and walkers left on their journey. |
| | another band wedding | | Saturday, February 04, 2006 |  Pam and Grant (horn and flugel) had a beautiful wedding at The Old Stone House in Cashmere. The bride looked stunning, the groom very flash and when they sang to each other during the ceremony everyone had a weep - because it was a most romantic and loving wedding.
Pam was given away by her two sons (Tim and Chris) and Grant's two boys (Nick and Chris) were standing beside him as best men. Congratualtions and best wishes for many many years of happiness together. |
| | brigette sings again | | Tuesday, November 08, 2005 | Brigitte Murray is a versatile performer with a number of concert, theatre and recording credits. This is her third appearance in Addington Brass’ Festive Fusion.
Brigitte’s recent performances have included roles with Canterbury Opera, playing Rev Angela in The Birth of an Opera (2005), Anne in Sondheim’s A Little Night Music (2004) and Rose in Lakme (2003). She featured as soprano soloist in The Messiah, Bach’s Cantata 140 and Purcell works with the Central Otago Chamber Orchestra and Choir. She was also a soloist in the acclaimed performance of Monteverdi Vespers with Cantores, directed by Brian Law and Haydn’s St Theresa Mass with the Hagley Singers and Da Capo orchestra.
Brigitte also features on the Cecilian Singers’ CDs Ave Maria and Alleluia. She has a number of recitals to her credit including performing in Songs for the Season, Summer Serenade, Luck be a Lady: Songs of Love, Laughter and L’amour, The Press Great Hall lunchtime concert series and a Christmas concert in St Mary’s Merivale on Sunday 11 December 2005 at 5pm.
An accomplished choral singer, Brigitte sings with the national chamber choir, TOWER Voices New Zealand, conducted by Dr Karen Grylls, and was a member of the New Zealand Youth Choir which won ‘Choir of the World’ in 1999. She credits her love of choral music with her former membership of Burnside High School’s many award winning choirs. Brigitte also enjoys musical theatre, with credits including the lead roles of Mabel in Pirates of Penzance and Rose in Aspects of Love. |
| | the beat on roanna | | Monday, November 07, 2005 | 
Roanna Cooper will be the guest solist at Festive Fusion 2005.
Roanna has completed study towards a Bachelor of Music in performance percussion at the University of Canterbury. 2005 will see the completion of her Honours degree.
Roanna’s past and present musical experiences include playing percussion with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra, Christchurch Youth Orchestra, Pandemonium percussion group, Woolston Brass, the National Band of NZ, playing for shows and in a Samba band. Roanna has also played as a marimba soloist with the Christchurch Symphony, Woolston Brass, St Kilda Brass, the Christchurch Youth Orchestra, and the National Band of NZ. In 2003 she spent a month in the US taking part in a summer marimba seminar in New Jersey, and in July 2004 travelled to Boston to take part in the Zeltsman Marimba Seminar.
Roanna teaches percussion in a number of schools around Christchurch, including the Christchurch School of Music, Avonside Girls High, Villa Maria College, Selwyn House School, Westburn Primary and Beckenham Primary School.
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| | festive fusion 2005 - coming soon. | | Sunday, November 06, 2005 |  The Festive Fusion charity concert this year will be a celebration of Christmas in the unique Addington style. We are proud to again support Ronald McDonald House as our charity.
The musical line up, under the directorship of Iaan Wilson, is again showing the best of New Zealand talent. Our guest soloists will be Roanna Cooper (Percussion) and we are lucky to again have the talents of Brigette Murray and our artist in residence Barry Brinson to add to the musical celebration. Tickets will be on sale at Ticketek very soon for the concert on Sunday 4 December - James Hay Theatre - at 5.30 pm.
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