Andrew Christie is relatively new to the brass band scene, but he’s having a tootin’ good time as Kerepēhi Brass Band’s band master.
Andrew picked up the conductor’s baton full-time at the beginning of 2024, after joining the band as a cornet and trumpet player two or three years ago. His progression comes as the ensemble prepares to host and perform in the Waikato Bay of Plenty Brass Band Association Regional Competition this weekend in Thames.
“It’s been a bit of a learning curve,” said Andrew, who began playing the trumpet in school.
“[But] I always come away bouncing at the end of the night, which is always exciting.”
With his music direction background mainly encompassing musical theatre and orchestras, Andrew said working with the band was a step out of his comfort zone.
“As much as I’d played brass instruments for years… most of my playing had been orchestral. And it’s a bigger group than I’m used to working with – we’ve got quite a full band for the contest, which is absolutely fantastic,” he said.
“It’s definitely opened my eyes to how versatile brass band music playing can be.”
Andrew said he was already throwing some new styles at the ensemble.
“The programme we played at the beginning of the year I felt was great. We pulled out a whole lot of bits and pieces that I knew and it gave me an opportunity to try different styles with the band,” he said.
“One of the pieces we played was Largo from the New World Symphony by Dvořák, obviously a brass band arrangement for it, but it was something completely different to what the band had ever played in the past.
“It’s really beautiful, but it was quite challenging for the band because it’s all quiet, it’s slow, it’s long notes, so it was really good at getting them listening and… getting that expressive feeling.”
Andrew said the band’s chosen contest programme was also full of new sounds. At 45 minutes long, the five-piece programme includes a couple of jazzy and modern numbers alongside the more traditional arrangements.
“Humpty Dumpty is our solo piece. It’s a 1920s kind of jazzy style, and it actually features a xylophone solo,” Andrew said.
“And then Just a Closer Walk With Thee is kind of like a jazzy number as well… it finishes off the programme with a great dance and in a happy mood.”
The band members are having a lot of fun with the new sound too, Andrew said.
“It’s a really cool programme, and I think everyone’s enjoying it. The progress that the players have made is amazing since I started,” he said.
“And a couple of them actually commented to me the other night that they’re really enjoying playing some of this music, like the Just A Closer Walk To Thee.
“It’s got a lot of syncopation and swing in it. And they’re like, it’s really cool that we’re being able to do that because some of the times in the past they haven’t, they’ve kind of kept more to the strict, straight stuff.”
For now, Andrew’s focus is firmly on the contest and developing his knowledge of brass band repertoire. But he’s got plans for the future, he said.
“I think the band’s definitely got the ability to move up in the grades – I’m blown away with how much the band’s progressed,” he said.
“[And] I’m quite keen to do a movie theme programme at one stage next year. I’d like to do a different programme every term, so we’re not just playing the old regular favourite stuff that we bring in, we’re playing new stuff constantly.”
Most important though, was making sure the band stayed true to its community roots.
“I really love the community feel of the band and the fact that we can cater for all abilities,” he said.
“[It’s a] unique band, with great opportunities. We’re always looking for new players. We’ve got some instruments that people can hire – we’d love them to come and join us.”
DETAILS: See www.kerepehibrass.co.nz for more information.
