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

25 parts Concert Band Instrumentation
Quick March
Key Signature: Ab Major

Instrumentation:
Solo Bb Cornet (Conductor handwritten at top)
Eb Flute & Piccolo
Oboes
Eb Clarinet
1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd & 4th Bb Clarinets
1st Bassoon
2nd Bassoon
Solo Eb Saxhorn (or Eb Alto Saxophone)
1st Bb Baritone ( or Bb Tenor Saxophone)
1st Eb Horn
2nd Eb Horn
3rd Eb Horn
4th Eb Horn
Eb Trumpets
Solo Bb Cornet
1st Bb Cornet (or Bb Soprano Saxophone)
2nd Bb Cornet
1st Trombone
2nd Trombone
Bass Trombone
Euphonium (Baritone)
Bombardon (Tuba)
Side Drum
Bass Drum

Inscriptions & markings

On envelope: Qm172, March The Rifleman Gray, Q147, Scrubbed out 366
29 Sep 1941, 18 May 1942, 3 Aug 1942, 15 Aug 1942, 16 Jul 1943
Stamped on the reverse of each card: Australian Broadcasting Co. & The Property of Musical Director & Arranger Charles Godfrey