New musical director finds his rhythm
The newest musical director of the oldest brass band in the country has a secret – he hasn’t played a brass instrument in nearly 30 years.
‘‘I haven’t really touched a brass instrument for a number of years now,’’ Christopher Luke said, surrounded in a band room by the very instruments.
Luke is four months into his role as the musical director for the New Plymouth Brass, which is turning 160 years next month. He succeeds former director Leigh Martin, who left the position after 10 years.
The Australian, who moved to Taranaki seven years ago with his family, had no involvement to the band prior to becoming director but thought he would take on the challenge.
‘‘When I saw there was an expression of interest in becoming the musical director I thought ‘this could be fun’,’’ he said.
He said his passion and musical background with multiple Taranaki bands and choirs is what makes him good at his job and the brass band welcomed him with open arms, even changing a 160-year-old rehearsal schedule for him.
‘‘The band very kindly, after decades of rehearsing twice a week on a Monday and Thursday evening, changed their Monday to a Tuesday to allow me to be able to take on this appointment.’’
Luke said he had already faced some challenges in the role, such as when a sun shade was removed too early at the Hatchery Lawn and the band had to perform under the sweltering sun, but loved the differing nature of their performances, the most recent of which was at Americarna.
Band president Kinsley Sampson said the change in the band was positively noticeable since Luke was appointed as he began to add his own flavour.
‘‘We are noticing a slightly different style, and we are noticing a slightly different selection of music.’’
Both Sampson and Luke said they were on the hunt for more members to join the band, which they describe as being a family.