Tracing Time - 20 Years in the National Band

I first heard and saw the National Band perform in Palmerston North in 1995, after they had returned from 6 weeks in the USA. I was 17 at the time and notions of being in the band myself weren’t anything more than a hope - kind of like a boy who plays rugby wanting to be an All Black. My memory of that concert is Hora Staccato - probably in hindsight one of the “lighter” pieces in the programme but for me it stuck - it all just seemed so exciting.

2003
In 1998, 1999 and 2000, I played in the National Youth Band under Nigel Weeks, who eventually conducted me at Dalewool Auckland Brass and in the 2014 & 2017 National Bands. At that stage the National Band had not recovered from the financial challenges of the 1995 tour and so National Bands weren’t a thing. Then, in 2002, applications were sought for the 2003 National Band under David Gallaher. I had recently moved from Baritone to Horn (bad idea!) and then back to Baritone, and so I threw my hat in the ring. I was shocked/honoured/terrified to get the Principal Baritone chair. We rehearsed at the Institute of Rugby in Palmerston North (closest I got to being an All Black). We hacked our way through the North Island. We had a great time, and if I recall correctly, culminating in a great party in Whangarei.

2005
With much excitement, my first international tour with the band was to Singapore and Europe for the World Music Contest in Kerkrade. We were away close on a month and the stories from that tour are endless. Thunder and lighting striking in time with the music in our concert at Regent Hall in London… the ferry to Calais having to sit in the English Channel because of a bomb scare… arriving at our Peer (Belgium) concert close to midnight and still playing to a packed house, 1-hour sightseeing in Brussels where I checked my email at an internet cafe and bought underwear. Musically, the simplest piece was the most special for me. My solo on the tour was Pokarekare Ana and I had the honour of performing it with the band to over 15,000 people in the Parkstad Limburg Stadium under a spotlight - as New Zealand’s representative “folk song” for the opening ceremony. I don’t do playing by memory (I’m awful at it) but I did on this occasion, and it was very special.

In 2005 in front of the band’s plane in Auckland at the request of Singapore Airlines

2007
We toured south of New Zealand this time, with James Morrison. He was exceptional and the tour was a lot of fun. James commanded all instruments with divinity including any which he chose (on the spot) to play in the concert. When James asks if he can have your Baritone for this chart, you agree, sit back, listen in awe and hope nothing malfunctions. I was super pleased to be joined in the Baritone section this time by Jessica Blair who had been on Euphonium in the 2003 & 2005 bands. I enjoyed playing under Musical Director Howard Taylor who had conducted Waitakere Brass in my first years away from home, and rehearsing and staying at Whanganui Collegiate, which was my school and where my family had lived while Dad taught there.

The 2007 Euphonium and Baritone section: Jessica Blair, Ross, Ken Cant, Riki McDonnell

2009
We returned to Kerkrade in 2009 to compete at the WMC again. The tour wasn’t as long as the 2005 one. It had been tough and I think the challenges and repeating financial outlay and logistics would be a challenge. We played Music of the Spheres as part of our own choice programme. I think it’s one of the greatest Baritone parts - a fabulous solo - and those rips at the end, it felt like the part had been written for me - nonsense of course, but when you’re given free reign (thanks Howard) to rain all hell on music like that, how can’t you have fun?! My grandfather, Frits, was Dutch so it is always special to go to perform in The Netherlands.

2009 concert in Peer (Belgium) under Howard Taylor

2014
After the 2013 tour to China (under Bob Childs) was cancelled/postponed due to contractual/administrative problems with the Chinese promoters, Nigel Weeks was appointed to take the same band to China a year later. It was the first time I had toured overseas with the band and not competed. It was an incredible experience and one which has many, many fond memories. From searching for Peking duck (who would have thought THAT would be a challenge??) to having to run on stage as soon as the ceremonial gong rang, to the night train and the woman who put a live chicken through the baggage x-ray… the tour was a blast. Thank you China and Korea. I hope you’ll have us back.

The night train in China in 2014

2017
When I opened the Google Drive folder containing the score and parts of the 2017 Kerkrade test (Tracing Time), the first page of the 1st Baritone part looked apocalyptic. I assumed it was part of a dense full-band opening - or at worst part of a quintet, perhaps. Surely the test didn’t open with a massive Baritone solo… would it?! Baritones don’t get to do that sort of thing! Like the Horn solo that opens Spheres, here was a moment where the player sets the scene, and what better stage to have that opportunity than in my 3rd voyage to Kerkrade. I relished the opportunity to play with what was a wonderful band performance under Nigel and of course achieve an unprecedented 2nd place.

Meeting Tracing Time composer, Oliver Waespi, with Kev (& Murray!) Hickman in Kerkrade 2017

As the 2023 National Band prepares to head on its next adventure later this month, I am excited to have another chapter to add to my National Band journey.

Look out, Australia!