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Upper Hutt Municipal Band
History
HistoryThe Upper Hutt Municipal Band was founded in 1920, under conductor Alf Jackson; they rehearsed in the town board office, and played under Hazelwoods' verandah with the help of kerosene lighting until they raised the funds for gas lighting.
Soprano cornet champion Len Neighbours became the conductor in 1922. The band had no home of its own, and practised in the fire station, town board office, ‘Macs’ record hall, Gethings Garage and the school. It became an incorporated society in 1927.
By the late 1930s the band ‘could hold its own with any B Grade band in Wellington’, reported the Leader. In 1938, due to ill health, Len Neighbours handed over to Norm Peez as conductor. During the Second World War many bandsmen went overseas and band numbers dwindled; however, members returned after the war ended and a good band was built up.
In 1941 the band moved to its recently built premises in Park Street, the present band room; band members did much of the work to construct and later extend and renovate the building. The band paid £50, half the build cost, to the council.
Until 1947 the band was a member of the Wairarapa Bands Association, and took part in performances and contests with Wairarapa bands. In the early years they had a close relationship with the council, with mayors Dick Slacke and Percy Kinsman being strong supporters.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s the band struggled and went into recess; in 1951 the Petone Citizens’ Band wrote to the council, asking to purchase their instruments. However, the band asked the council to hold off on selling these while they attempted to re-form. By June, 15 members were rehearsing. ‘The Band which has had a struggle for the past six months are settling down to serious practice and are concentrating on a programme that it is hoped will be heard in public before too long,’ reported the Leader.
The 8 May 1952 Leader said the band had re-formed during the past 12 months, though it still needed new players, particularly cornetists; it had 'throughout the day played several musical items which were greatly enjoyed' at the opening of the RSA's new clubrooms in King Street.
On 31 July 1958 the Leader reported that the band had secured ‘the assistance of a lady player from Dunedin’, cornet player Miss F. Applegate. In August 1958 the mayor, Dick Slacke, presented the band with a full set of new instruments. That year the band also attended its first national competition.
In 1976, to raise funds, John Philipson formed a Bavarian Band which played at many functions around Wellington for the next 20 years.
The 6 May 1980 Leader printed a picture of new and old uniforms; the old ones were heavy black wool with twin gold stripes on each cuff and leg; the new ones were lightweight, burgundy with a broad black trouser stripe and the city's crest on the reefer jacket pocket. The conductor's jacket was light blue. After wins in New Zealand and Australian C grade competitions, the band had been promoted to B grade.
In 1985 Harry St Johnstone was presented with one of the first four Upper Hutt Civic Awards for his services to the municipal band; he had been a member since 1961, but had never played an instrument. He had been secretary for 22 years and librarian for 15.
In November 1988 Leader the band changed its name to Upper Hutt City Cosmopolitan Brass. In 2020 it was known as the Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club Brass Band; the musical director was Aaron Lloydd.
Musical directors:
1920: Alf Jackson
Peter Duffin
Charlie Bryant
1922–38: Len Neighbours
1938, 1945–46: Norman J. Peez
1946–47: Len Giles
1947–50: Eric Jones
1950: James Dow
1951–52: William (Bill) Moore
1952: Harry Taylor
1952–67: Tom Sayer
1967–68: Don Smith
1968–93: John Philipson; he was pictured receiving a civic award, and had also received a 50-year long service award from the Brass Bands Association.
Early 2000s: Clynton Payne
2020: Aaron Lloydd
Competition results:
1960, national: D grade march
1960, Manawatu District: D grade champions
1965, national: third, C grade march
1965, national: winners, junior quartet
1968, national: third, C grade
1970, national: second, C grade
1971, national: second, C grade
1975, national: winners, C grade and C grade hymn test
1976, national: third, marching contest
1977, national: winners, third grade
1978, Australia: five prizes, C grade champions (plus one unofficial one for taking all musical prizes in a competition; 'Leader', April 4)
1979: competing in B grade
1983: at Australian championships, B grade
1990, Wellington: junior cornet solo; Miles Dean, 2nd, novice; Darren Murray and Clynton Payne 3rd and 1st under-15.
1992: trombone trio Dave Sales, Ian Robson and Bill Orr, third.
Sources: an 80th-anniversary article in the July 19, 2000 'Leader', with additions from one from 15 August 1978 anticipating the 60th anniversary and seeking information for a history; it listed the founding members and their instruments. ‘Municipal Band’s unfortunate position: History of its life over past twenty-five years’, Leader, 22 February 1951; other early copies of the Leader; ‘History’, Upper Hutt Municipal Brass Band Inc., https://upperhuttbrass.band/history/
Soprano cornet champion Len Neighbours became the conductor in 1922. The band had no home of its own, and practised in the fire station, town board office, ‘Macs’ record hall, Gethings Garage and the school. It became an incorporated society in 1927.
By the late 1930s the band ‘could hold its own with any B Grade band in Wellington’, reported the Leader. In 1938, due to ill health, Len Neighbours handed over to Norm Peez as conductor. During the Second World War many bandsmen went overseas and band numbers dwindled; however, members returned after the war ended and a good band was built up.
In 1941 the band moved to its recently built premises in Park Street, the present band room; band members did much of the work to construct and later extend and renovate the building. The band paid £50, half the build cost, to the council.
Until 1947 the band was a member of the Wairarapa Bands Association, and took part in performances and contests with Wairarapa bands. In the early years they had a close relationship with the council, with mayors Dick Slacke and Percy Kinsman being strong supporters.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s the band struggled and went into recess; in 1951 the Petone Citizens’ Band wrote to the council, asking to purchase their instruments. However, the band asked the council to hold off on selling these while they attempted to re-form. By June, 15 members were rehearsing. ‘The Band which has had a struggle for the past six months are settling down to serious practice and are concentrating on a programme that it is hoped will be heard in public before too long,’ reported the Leader.
The 8 May 1952 Leader said the band had re-formed during the past 12 months, though it still needed new players, particularly cornetists; it had 'throughout the day played several musical items which were greatly enjoyed' at the opening of the RSA's new clubrooms in King Street.
On 31 July 1958 the Leader reported that the band had secured ‘the assistance of a lady player from Dunedin’, cornet player Miss F. Applegate. In August 1958 the mayor, Dick Slacke, presented the band with a full set of new instruments. That year the band also attended its first national competition.
In 1976, to raise funds, John Philipson formed a Bavarian Band which played at many functions around Wellington for the next 20 years.
The 6 May 1980 Leader printed a picture of new and old uniforms; the old ones were heavy black wool with twin gold stripes on each cuff and leg; the new ones were lightweight, burgundy with a broad black trouser stripe and the city's crest on the reefer jacket pocket. The conductor's jacket was light blue. After wins in New Zealand and Australian C grade competitions, the band had been promoted to B grade.
In 1985 Harry St Johnstone was presented with one of the first four Upper Hutt Civic Awards for his services to the municipal band; he had been a member since 1961, but had never played an instrument. He had been secretary for 22 years and librarian for 15.
In November 1988 Leader the band changed its name to Upper Hutt City Cosmopolitan Brass. In 2020 it was known as the Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club Brass Band; the musical director was Aaron Lloydd.
Musical directors:
1920: Alf Jackson
Peter Duffin
Charlie Bryant
1922–38: Len Neighbours
1938, 1945–46: Norman J. Peez
1946–47: Len Giles
1947–50: Eric Jones
1950: James Dow
1951–52: William (Bill) Moore
1952: Harry Taylor
1952–67: Tom Sayer
1967–68: Don Smith
1968–93: John Philipson; he was pictured receiving a civic award, and had also received a 50-year long service award from the Brass Bands Association.
Early 2000s: Clynton Payne
2020: Aaron Lloydd
Competition results:
1960, national: D grade march
1960, Manawatu District: D grade champions
1965, national: third, C grade march
1965, national: winners, junior quartet
1968, national: third, C grade
1970, national: second, C grade
1971, national: second, C grade
1975, national: winners, C grade and C grade hymn test
1976, national: third, marching contest
1977, national: winners, third grade
1978, Australia: five prizes, C grade champions (plus one unofficial one for taking all musical prizes in a competition; 'Leader', April 4)
1979: competing in B grade
1983: at Australian championships, B grade
1990, Wellington: junior cornet solo; Miles Dean, 2nd, novice; Darren Murray and Clynton Payne 3rd and 1st under-15.
1992: trombone trio Dave Sales, Ian Robson and Bill Orr, third.
Sources: an 80th-anniversary article in the July 19, 2000 'Leader', with additions from one from 15 August 1978 anticipating the 60th anniversary and seeking information for a history; it listed the founding members and their instruments. ‘Municipal Band’s unfortunate position: History of its life over past twenty-five years’, Leader, 22 February 1951; other early copies of the Leader; ‘History’, Upper Hutt Municipal Brass Band Inc., https://upperhuttbrass.band/history/
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Oral History
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Upper Hutt Municipal Band. Upper Hutt City Library, accessed 12/09/2024, https://uhcl.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/24216