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

23 parts Concert Band Instrumentation
Quick March or Two Step
Key Signature: F Major
Intro. 'It's That Little Extra Something" (Peckwater & Mackenzie)
Full Piano Copy Rice 6d. also published for Full Orchestra

Instrumentation:
Conductor
Flute & Piccolo
Oboe
Eb Clarinet
Bb Repiano
1st Clarinet in Bb
2nd Clarinet in Bb
3rd Clarinet in Bb
Bassoon
Eb Alto Saxophone
1st Baritone Bb & Tenor Saxophone Bb
1st Eb Horn or Solo Tenor
2nd Eb Horn or 1st Tenor
3rd Eb Horn or 2nd Tenor
4th Eb Horn
Solo Cornet in Bb
2nd Cornet in Bb
1st Trombone
2nd Trombone
Bass Trombone
Euphonium (bass clef)
Basses
Drums

Inscriptions & markings

On envelope: QM161, March at Two Step, Pull up your Socks, Walsh Q137, scrubbed out 407
Stamped on the reverse of each card: Australian Broadcasting Co.