Brass Band Nationals – July 2022
Kumeu Markets – June 2022
Brass Band Nationals – July 2021
Christmas 2020
Matamata Music Festival – 1st November 2020
Kumeu Proms concert, a combined concert with Kumeu Brass and Vintage Brass, March 2019
Mothers Day concert, a combined Concert with Vintage and Kumeu Brass, May 2018
Anzac Day, April 2018 – Swanson & Helensville
Brass at the Falls, April 2018
Christmas Concert, Dec 2017 – Northwest Mall
BBANZ Nationals, Napier July 2016 – D Grade Champs again!
Westbrook Winery Concert, March 2016
BBANZ Nationals, Rotorua July 2015 – D Grade Champs
Charity Concert, April 2015
Written by Phil Thomson There is always something special about a charity concert and, of course, Hospice West Auckland is a very special charity. Kumeu Brass Incorporated comprises three bands and when all of the above culminate in a two hour show … no one was going home anything other than emotionally and spiritually uplifted.
Sunday afternoon, April 19, 2015 the Kumeu Community Hall resounded to the renowned musicality of Kumeu Vintage Brass and the progressive sounds of Kumeu Brass. Two further features for the afternoon were the promises of the combined bands performing for the first time and the poorly kept secret of the surprise appearance of the Evolution Band. Their ages range from 6 – 14, their experience from just weeks to years. They did their tutors, Mark and Antonina, great credit with three well received numbers including “Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho” all performed with toe-tapping gusto. The increasing popularity of brass instrument playing amongst today’s youth did not go unnoticed. (We welcome more new members.)
From the first rousing rendition by Kumeu Brass of “Light Cavalry” conducted by Mark Close through such glorious sounds from the Vintage Brass as “All in an April Evening”, musicality was the key word. “Tell My Father” (with the vocals of nationally recognised Arthur Close), an in-house arrangement of “64 Plus”, the audience-warming “Zorba’s Dance” and even touches of the Renaissance, Elton John and the drones of bagpipes in “Highland Farewell” among other titles ensured the whole afternoon was a thoroughly engaging occasion. At one stage the enthusiastic audience warmed to “Colonel Bogey” by forming a Conga line and actually marching in time all around the hall – a true critique of the quality and musicianship of the players. Nearing the end, Graeme apologised for running overtime and offered to cut one number but the audience made it very clear, “no way” was that to happen. Finally, he stirred the combined bands and the audience into the obvious encore – the Royal Albert Hall’s traditional “Land of Hope and Glory” including its rallentando-culminating final bars to electrify the soul, inspiring a standing ovation from all (except some of the youngest Evolution Brass members who appeared somewhat overwhelmed by the effect).
Rosemary Ledingham, Fundraising Manager for Hospice West Auckland spoke at halftime and thanked the band for their time and efforts and acknowledged the audience’s charitable attitude. She later announced that the total raised was $414.40. She also admitted she had been moved enough to later google the lyrics to the Vintage Brass’s punchy rendition of “Men of Harlech”.
The after-concert event was a well-attended and much approved combined bands barbecue and sing-along at the band rooms down the road where we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves over expertly prepared sausages, beautiful salad creations and entertained by the trio of Ernie’s deft fingers of his left hand on the piano, his right fingers on his trusty baritone and his voice all at the same time (almost)!
If any potential player is reading this let me assure you, visitors and stalwarts, young and old were made to feel one-and-the-same – such was the gregarious atmosphere of the evening.
Westbrook Winery Concert, May 2014
Anzac Day 2014 – Helensville Parade
