North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Young and old unite for music in concert band
There may be 60 plus years between its youngest and oldest members, but the Hibiscus Coast Concert Band has found its forte.
Formed in May 2016, the motley crew was first put together to give musicians in the community the means to play together in a band.
The idea has since taken off, and has grown to around 50 musicians of a range of ages and abilities, who come together to play once a fortnight for the love of music.
Most of the band members live on the Hibiscus Coast, but some travel from as far as the North Shore and Warkworth to be involved.
From jazz, to movie themes, to Christmas carols, the band is steadily building a strong repertoire of tunes, and picking up a bit of acclaim on the way.
Earlier this year, they brought home a silver award at the New Zealand Concert Band Festival in Whangarei - the highest award given to any community band north of Auckland.
But, never taking themselves too seriously, the band is all about inclusion and having fun, conductor and Orewa College teacher Kevin Stevens said.
‘‘Some bands are not particularly friendly - but ours is,’’ Stevens said.
‘‘We’re not going to try to become a massively elite organisation, because then it would stop some people from being able to come and feel welcome.’’
The broad range of abilities from amateur players to qualified musicians - allows the lesser experienced to learn from others, Stevens said.
If they can tear themselves away from their intermission cuppa tea, that is.
‘‘They’re pretty sociable. We like to have a coffee half way through where everybody chats and has a nice time, but it is hard to get people back in again,’’ Stevens said.
‘‘Some bands are not particularly friendly - but ours is’’
Kevin Stevens
Initially run without funding, the band has now received a grant from the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board to help cover music costs.
A small subscription for members also allows the band which operates out of the Orewa College music room - to purchase sheet music to play.
The community band is currently rehearsing Christmas carols, and hopes to give back a bit of festive cheer this season, and play at summer festivals and retirement homes.