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

Concert Band & Brass Band Instrumentation Total 33 Parts
Characteristic March
Alla Marcia Bravura
Key Signature:C minor


Instrumentation:
Eb Piccolo
Oboes
Eb Clarinet
1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd & 4th Bb Clarinets
1st Bassoon
2nd Bassoon
Solo Eb Saxhorn (Eb Alto)
1st Bb Baritone (Bb Tenor)
Solo Bb Cornet
1st Bb Cornet
2nd Bb Cornet
3rd & 4th Bb Cornets
Eb Trumpets
1st Eb Horn
2nd Eb Horn
3rd Eb Horn
4th Eb Horn
1st Trombone (Bass Clef)
1st Trombone (Tenor Clef)
2nd Trombone (Bass Clef)
2nd Trombone (Tenor Clef)
Bass Trombone
2nd Bb Baritone (Bb Tenor)
Euphonium (Baritone)
Bombardon (Tuba)
Eb Bombardon (Treble Clef)
Bb Bass
Side Drum
Bass Drum
Additional Hand Written 1st Bb Clarinet

Inscriptions & markings

On envelope: QM30. Castles in Spain. Ancliffe. Stamps indicating 30 OCT 1940, 30 NOV 1940, 23 APR 1941, 17 JAN 1944. Q26 (additional). 295 (crossed out)
Stamped on the reverse of each card: Australian Broadcasting Co., The Property of Musical Director & Arranger