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 + 2 handwritten parts Concert Band Instrumentation
Quick March
Key Signature: Db Major
Boosey's March Journal No. 13

Instrumentation:
1st Clarinet in Bb (written above in cursive, Conductor)
Piccolo in Eb
Oboes or Clarinets in C
1st Clarinet in Eb
2nd Clarinet in Eb
1st Clarinet in Bb
2nd Clarinet in Bb
3rd Clarinet in Bb
Alto Clarinet in Eb
1st Bassoon or Bass Clarinet in Bb
2nd Bassoon or Bass Clarinet in Bb
1st & 2nd Horns in Eb
3rd & 4th Horns in Eb
1st Trumpet in Eb
2nd Trumpet in Eb
(Missing - 1st Cornet in Bb)
2nd Cornet in Bb
1st Tenor Trombone
2nd Tenor Trombone
Bass Trombone
Baritone in Bb
Euphonion
Basses
Drums

Inscriptions & markings

On envelope: QM171, Revue Unrath, Q141, Scrubbed out 215
Stamped on the reverse of each card: Australian Broadcasting Co. & The Property of Musical Director & Arranger