I’m surprised at how impassive I feel in leaving. My guiltlessness may have something to do with the fact that in my 30+ years in the band, I’ve seen hundreds of good people leave. (That’s no exaggeration). There’s always a feeling of abandonment, but invariably the band regroups and carries on. While some departures are of significant enough magnitude to register on the richter scale, most are in that indiscernible range that merely ripple the pond momentarily. I figure that my own exit might rate around the 2.7 mark. Folk who live in these parts will realise that that’s not worth getting under a table for!

With my playing days now officially over, it’s no longer fitting that I maintain this band-themed journal, so this will be the last post (so to speak). The band has an official site: www.woolstonbrass.org where those interested enough to do so, can keep contact. I will leave Bander’s Blog unattended but on line until the visits drop off, then in due course I will remove it all together.

I am going to start a new blog focussing on my new life as an ex-bander. It will tell tales of my sweet peas and my runner beans, and my on-going obsession with keeping the lawn nice. I will write about outings with my lovely Glenda, be they to the Greek Islands, or the supermarket. I will write about Angus our highly amusing dog, or Korora our little sailboat. I might even describe the aging process, comedic and tragic as it is.

Actually, I don’t know what the hell I’ll write about, but it probably won’t be sport (unless you call golf a sport), and it won’t be about the stock market, power or politics. There might still be the odd mention of brass bands, but only in a retrospective way.

So there you have it. A year in the life of the Woolston Brass Band. Thanks for listening. I hope you have found my wittering on either enlightening or amusing, or both!

Saturday was a blinder weather-wise, perfect for the Canterbury A&P Show and perfect for a wedding. Chris Reside and his partner Margot were married at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Opawa. And I got to be the best man! Mert Tapp, Richard Hogarth and Bob Neil were also there to enjoy the day. Kevin Hickman, ably accompanied by George Buchanan, made a fantastic job of the Purcell wedding favourites at the service. The formal photos aren’t available yet, but Margot’s facebook page shows a good selection.

Davey Boyes’ eupho was transported back without him, so it could be possible that someone has picked up Jess’ eupho thinking it was Dave’s. The two cases look almost identical; Jess’ has Besson Prestige branding and Dave’s has York.  Jess’ has brass clasps on the handle and the music pouch, while Dave’s has silver.

Can anyone out there help locate the missing eupho?

You gotta check this out! Dave Bremner is currently on tour with The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. He’ll be playing in China and Europe as part of the biggest tour in the orchestra’s history. Hard on the heels of his Woolston gig at FABB, globe-trotting Dave is now on the musical trip of a lifetime. Click here to follow his blog about life on the road and in the concert hall. You can also follow the tour on Facebook.

Picture: Mable Wong

1. Gunnedah Shire Band (Jason Katsikaris), 196
2. Brisbane Excelsior (Richard Evans), 195
3. Kew Band Melbourne (Mark Ford), 193
4. Woolston Brass (Graham Hickman), 191
5. South Brisbane Federal (Ben Crocker), 190
6. St. Marys Band Club Band (Matthew van Emmerik), 186
7. Brisbane Brass (Jon Christodoulides), 185
8. Footscray Yarraville City Band (Phillipa Edwards), 184
9. Boroondara Brass (Danny van Bergen), 183
10. Osaka Harmony Brass, Japan (Atsuhiko Okamoto), 182

Yamaha Australasian Entertainment Championship
1. Brisbane Excelsior
2. Kew Band Melbourne
3. Woolston Brass, New Zealand
(Only first, second and third placings awarded for this event.)

Best Soloist: 
Brett Baker

The CD we recorded earlier this year is currently in production. Here’s a sneak preview of the packaging.

Tracks included are:

1. Birdland Joe Zarwinul. arr: Sparke (4.47)
2. I’ve Got You Under My Skin Cole Porter. arr: Taylor. Vocalist: David Fiu (3.15)
3. Fever John Davenport and Eddie Cooley. arr: Roger Holmes. Vocalist: Laura Bunting (3.39)
4. Concerto for Trumpet Harry James. arr: Howarth. Cornet Soloist: Kevin Hickman (3.40)
5. Minnie the Moocher Cab Calloway. arr: Pellery. Vocalist: David Fiu. Trumpet: Thomas Eves (3.07)
6. Spanish Fever Jay Chattaway. arr: Moses Cherrington (4.27)
7. Hello Dolly Jerry Herman. arr: Woude (1.49)
8. Mustang Sally Sir Mack Rice. arr: Bloomfield. Vocalist – David Fiu (3.34)
9. Tiger Rag Original Dixieland Jazz Band. arr: Siebert (2.12)
10. Mack the Knife Kurt Weill. arr: Fiu. Vocalist: David Fiu (2.39)
11. Young Hearts Candi Staton. arr: Mitchell. Vocalist: Laura Bunting (2.51)
12. When the Saints Traditional. arr: Goff Richards (2.48)
13. Signed, Sealed, Delivered Stevie Wonder. Vocalists: David Fiu and Laura Bunting (2.27)

Obituary: Denis Brian Dewe JP
20th October 1933 — 10th October 2010

Denis was born in Feilding to Florence and George Dewe. The second of two sons, Denis was educated in Feilding and on leaving school he started a job as a delivery boy with the NZ Post and Telegraph Office. From there, Denis joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force, firstly as a player with, and subsequently as the conductor of, the RNZAF Band.

In early 1961 Denis met Dallas Macainsh, a young woman also serving in the Air Force. Dallas and Denis were married in Auckland on the 15th of March 1961. The marriage produced two daughters, Barbara and Noeline. In April 1965 the family moved to Christchurch and Denis joined the New Zealand Army #1 RNZIR Band where he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and took over as Bandmaster. Denis served in Malaya between 1965 and 1967.

In 1973 Denis left the Army and became an administrator in the Public Service. He remained there until he retired in 1990. Sadly, the year of Denis’ retirement was also marked by the loss of his wife, Dallas.

In his retirement Denis was able to develop his passion for writing. He completed several creative writing courses, all of which he thoroughly enjoyed. In 1994 Denis met his friend and partner, Lyn Turner. Throughout their 16 years together, Denis and Lyn enjoyed their shared interest in the performing arts and they were often seen at concerts together. They travelled extensively — sometimes to see family in Australia, but just as frequently to visit once-in-a-lifetime destinations of personal interest.

Celebrant Keith de Dulin led a funeral service for Denis at the John Rhind Chapel, London Street, Christchurch on the 14th of October 2010 at 3.00pm. As requested by Denis, his beloved Woolston Brass played some of his favourite tunes as family, friends and colleagues arrived to pay their respects. This writer doubts if Denis would have minded one bit, but the thirty minutes or so prior to the service turned out to be rather noisy, and something of an impromptu reunion, — as a veritable who’s who of brass banding in New Zealand became reacquainted. Names recorded in the attendance register included those of Kevin Jarrett, Trevor and Graeme Bremner, Alan Briesman, Dave Christensen, Tom Williams, Dave Johnston, Graham Riach and many, many more from Denis’ days as a Serviceman, National Bandsman, Public Servant and Rotarian.

One of those paying special tribute to Denis at the service was Dave Johnston (Blenheim) who recalled many happy encounters during Denis’ life-long association with brass bands.

“… Denis won five NZ BBb Bass Championship titles and one Eb Bass Championship, and the Champion of Champions… He won his first National title in 1948 when he was just 14 years old. He was a member of three National Bands including the famous ’53 band under KGL Smith…

…Denis was fastidious. He crossed his ‘Ts’ and dotted his ‘Is’. Always punctual and always immaculately dressed, Denis was an extraordinarily brilliant administrator, — he reveled in it, in fact… And he was so precise, — if you were lucky enough to be on his Christmas card list, you could count on a card from DB Dewe on 1st December every year, and not a day later!..

He was a prolific and excellent writer and public speaker. Denis was exemplary. He was a man with very high personal standards. He kept an immaculate home with everything in its place…

Eugene Puohotaua spoke on behalf of Woolston Brass, acknowledging Denis’ huge contribution to the band both as a player and as an administrator. Other speakers to pay tribute were Hugh Brown (Rotary), Graham Pearson (Probus), Jonathon Allen (SIS colleague), and Denis’ daughters Barbara and Noeline.

For many years Denis was an active and valued member of Rotary. He served with the Rotary Clubs of Bishopdale, Burnside, Christchurch East, Linwood and Woolston. In later years Denis also became an active member of the Christchurch East PROBUS club.

“… Denis was busy in his community delivering ‘meals on wheels’ for several years, an activity he only curtailed once his own health started to fail…”

Major Gilbert Beale paid tribute on behalf of the RSA before calling on Denis’ numerous Army mates to place remembrance poppies on the casket. At the conclusion of this ritual, Pte. Kevin Hickman played the Last Post and Reveille.

At Denis’ request, the service concluded to the strains of his all-time favourite march, “Knight of the Road”.

Vale Denis.