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

27 parts Concert Band Instrumentation
Quick March
Key Signature: Bb Major

Instrumentation:
Eb Piccolo
Oboes
Eb Clarinet
1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd & 4th Bb Clarinet
1st Bassoon
2nd Bassoon
1st Alto in Eb
Eb Alto Saxophone
Bb Tenor Saxophone
1st & 2nd Cors in Eb
1st Eb Horn
2nd Eb Horn
3rd Eb Horn
4th Eb Horn
Bb Bugle
Solo Bb Cornet
2nd Bb Cornet
1st Trombone
2nd Trombone
Bass Trombone
1st Bb Baritone
Euphonium
Bombardon
Side Drum
Bass Drum

Inscriptions & markings

On envelope: Qm163, Quand Madelon (Revised Ed.) Q250
15 Apr 1940
Stamped on the reverse of 1st Alto only: Australian Broadcasting Co. & The Property of Musical Director & Arranger Charles Godfrey