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

Instrumentation:
Piccolo
Oboes
Eb Clarinets
1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd & 4th Bb Clarinets
1st Bassoon
2nd Bassoon
2nd Bb Baritone
Eb Soprano Cornet
Solo Bb Cornet (Conductor)
1st Bb Cornet
2nd Bb Cornet
Eb Trumpets
1st Eb Horn
2nd Eb Horn
3rd Eb Horn or 1st Ed Tenor Saxhorn
4th Eb Horn or 2nd Eb Tenor Saxhorn
1st Trombone
2nd Trombone
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Bombardon
Side Drum
Bass Drum
1st Bb Baritone (scribbled out with Tenor Sax penciled over the top)
3rd & 4th Cornet (scribbled out with 2nd Clarinet penciled over the top)

Inscriptions & markings

On envelope: QM14, Stamps indicating 10 NOV 1940, 15 NOV 1948, 9 JUN 1944. Q210 (penciled), 243 (crossed out).
Stamped on the reverse of each card: Australian Broadcasting Commission *Sydney*, Charles Godfrey