Friday 13 June, 2008
26 members of the Navy Band from the Devonport Naval Base will perform an evening concert at the Great Lakes Centre, Taupo on Friday 4 July.
Under the command of the Director of Music, Lieutenant Commander Keith Anderson (Auckland) and the Band Manager, Warrant Officer Musician Shaun Jarrett (Wanganui), the extremely talented and passionate members of the Navy Band are looking forward to performing a musical extravaganza for the people of Taupo.
This concert has a special meaning as it is designed to reaffirm the relationship between the Navy Band and the City of Taupo: a relationship that started in 2003 when Taupo formally adopted the Navy Band.
Previous years have seen a street march as part of the ‘adopted city’ visit, unfortunately that will not occur for this visit.
For information on bookings for the Navy Band Concert please contact Ticketek at the Great Lakes Centre, Taupo.
Background
The Band of the Royal New Zealand Navy was formed in the early 1960s from a nucleus of former Royal Marines musicians who remained in New Zealand after the Royal Marines Band was recalled to the United Kingdom. Since then, the Navy has enjoyed a succession of ex-Royal Marines as Directors of Music until the appointment of Lieutenant Glen Parr, RNZN in 1996, and the more recent appointment of Lieutenant Commander Anderson, RNZN, who brings with him more than 25 years experience in military music from the Australian Army Band Corps.
The Band’s role primarily is to satisfy the ceremonial requirements of the Royal New Zealand Navy, which includes support at Royal, Vice Regal and State occasions. When not on the parade ground or supporting official ceremonies, the Band supports local charities and community based organisations with concerts and other high profile performances.
Over the years the Band has diversified to meet the changing needs of the public with several new groups forming within the Band including a Big Band, Rock Band, Jazz Combo, and Brass Quintet and woodwind groups. The Band performs cabaret music, pop, rock and comedy skits, while also retaining the symphonic styles associated with Concert Bands throughout the world.
The Navy Band has appeared at the prestigious World Peace Fanfare in 2000 and 2002 held at Gangwon in the Republic of South Korea. In recent times the Band has performed in many parts of the world, including Australia, France, and London for the unveiling of the New Zealand Memorial and Turkey where they took part in the ANZAC Day remembrance on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 2006. The Band has also performed at many military pageants and Tattoos, the most recent being in Hobart, Tasmania.
ENDS
For further information please contact Lieutenant Commander Barbara Cassin, Navy Public Relations Manager, 021-2440638
Media are invited to attend the Navy Band performances and interviews will be arranged as requested.