Significance

In 1932 the call was put out to the ABC to start a military band. The band’s task was to record music to play on air four times a week, and to perform live concerts for the public. By November 1933 a band was put together with 40 musicians from around Australia. The band was initially conducted by Captain H. E. Adkins, Director of the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, London. After the tour, Adkins returned to his position at Kneller Hall, and Stephen Yorke, a retired bandmaster of the Gloucestershire Regiment, was brought out to Australia to become the permanent director and conductor of the band, which he did until the band closed in 1951. During the band’s 17 year history they presented a sizable program of music. Their final concert received a standing ovation from its audience of 1500, with a teary-eyed Yorke.

Physical description

29 Parts Concert Band Instrumentation
Quick March
Key Signature: C Major
Band series number: 9240 / 39839


Instrumentation:
Db Piccolo
Concert Piccolo
Oboe
Eb Clarinet
1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd Bb Clarinet
Eb Alto Clarinet
Bb Bass Clarinet
1st Bassoon
2nd Bassoon
Bb Soprano Saxophone
Eb Alto Saxophone
Bb Tenor Saxophone
Eb Baritone Saxophone
Solo Bb Cornet (Conductor)
2nd Bb Cornet
1st Bb Trumpet
2nd Bb Trumpet
1st Horn in F
2nd Horn in F
3rd Horn in F
4th Horn in F
1st Trombone
2nd Trombone
Bass Trombone
Euphonium in treble (Baritone)
Bass
Drums

Inscriptions & markings

Stamped on the reverse of each card: Australian Broadcasting Commission *Sydney*, Property of Charles Godfrey Musical Director & Arranger, Music Library RAAF Central Band RAAF Base LAVERTON VIC 3027