Musical director is ‘coach and captain’
For David Bremner, being named musical director of one of the finest brass bands in the world is like being named All Blacks coach and captain at the same time.
The 43-year-old found out he had been given the role of musical director for the National Brass Band of New Zealand, known as the National Band, a week ago. He’s been a trombonist in its ranks since 2003.
‘‘It was really special. The national band has a long history in New Zealand but also in my family. My dad has been a member of the national band, my brothers have been members, and my uncles,’’ he said.
David, who grew up in New Plymouth but now lives in Wellington, comes from a large musical background.
His father, Trevor, is a worldrenowned cornet player and former member of the National Band, who has designed his own sound-muffling product, called a Sshhmute, which is sold around the world and allows brass musicians to practice without disturbing others.
Growing up listening to their dad play the cornet and their mum, Betty, play the piano inspired both David and his two brothers, Fraser and Mark, to get into music.
Fraser is now a composer, percussionist and conductor and Mark is a trumpet and flugelhorn player.
David began playing cornet at age six but found his love for trombone a little while later after dabbling with a range of brass instruments and always participating in music at school.
He attended Spotswood Primary School, Devon Intermediate School and New Plymouth Boys’ High School, where he was inducted into the NPBHS Alumni Merit.
Only 10 other people have received the honour, including late 1970s All Black captain Graeme Mourie and All Black Reuben Thorne.
But David said being appointed as musical director is like being both the All Blacks coach and captain at the same time in the music world, as he oversees the running of the band and is in control of what music they play and how they will perform over the next three years when touring.
In other words, it’s a big deal, but he puts the success of the band down the players’ performance.
‘‘You really set out a plan of what you want the band to do, what you want them to play, you have a really solid idea of how things are going to go but at the end of the day when you’re on stage it comes down to the players,’’ he said.
‘‘In the same way in a rugby team the coach can do all the coaching but when it comes down on the ground it’s the players that have to do that.’’
But David says he doesn’t feel any pressure taking on such a big role. He’s excited and is no stranger to being a musical director. He held the position for the National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand from 2016-2019 and also for Wellington Brass, the current champion brass band of New Zealand.
This band, under David’s direction was invited to compete at the 2016 British Open Brass Band Championships in Birmingham, UK. He is also the director of education for the Brass Band Association of New Zealand.
He is currently principal trombone of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since 2002.
He’s recorded with the New Zealand rock band Crowded House, performed with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London, as well as many brass bands across Australasia and the UK.
‘‘I probably take on more stuff than I should,’’ he laughed.
The musical director role lasts for three years and although the band will mainly perform overseas, David hopes he’ll be able to change that.
‘‘One of the things I’m keen to do is see the National Band get out more around New Zealand and have a bit more of a presence with our audience around the country.’’
‘‘One of the things I’m keen to do is see the National Band get out more around New Zealand. David Bremner
National Brass Band of New Zealand musical director