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

25 Parts Concert Band Instrumentation
Quick March
Key Signature: Bb Minor
American Star Journal
Serial number: 2103 / 20894-6

Instrumentation:
Solo Bb Cornet
C Flute
Db Flute or Piccolo
Eb Clarinet
Oboe
1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
Solo Eb Horn / Alto Saxophone
Baritone (treble clef) / Tenor Saxophone
Eb Bass / Baritone Saxophone
Bassoon
1st Eb Horn
2nd & 3rd Eb Horn
Solo Bb Cornet
Repiano Cornet / 1st Bb Cornet or Soprano Saxophone
2nd Bb Cornet
3rd Bb Cornet
1st & 2nd Trombones (bass clef)
3rd Trombone (bass clef)
1st & 2nd Trombones / 1st & 2nd Tenors (treble clef)
3rd Trombone / Bb Bass (treble clef)
Baritone (Bass clef)
Basses
Drums

Inscriptions & markings

On envelope: QM158, Pozieres c, Q361
Stamped on the reverse of each card: A.B.C. Music Library, N.S.W. Division
Stamped on reverse of Flute or Piccolo: with compliments of ALLAN & CO. PTY. LTD.