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: F Major

Instrumentation:
C Flute
Db Piccolo
Eb Clarinet
Oboe
1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd Bb Clarinet
Eb Alto Clarinet
Bb Bass Clarinet
1st Eb Alto Saxophone
2nd Eb Alto Saxophone
Bb Tenor Saxophone
Bb Baritone Saxophone
Bb Bass Saxophone (or Bb Bass)
Bassoon
1st Horn in Eb (Alto)
2nd Horn in Eb (Alto)
3rd & 4th Horns in Bb (Alto)
Solo and 1st Bb Cornet
2nd Bb Cornet
3rd Bb Cornet
1st and 2nd Bb Trumpets
1st Trombone (Bass Clef)
2nd Trombone (Bass Clef)
3rd Trombone (Bass Clef)
Euphonium (Baritone) (Bass Clef)
Baritone (Treble Clef)
Basses
Drums

Inscriptions & markings

On envelope: QM169, Q315
Stamped on the reverse of some cards: Q315