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

24 parts Concert Band Instrumentation
Quick March & Two Step
Key Signature: F major
Brass & Military Journal No. 18

Instrumentation:
Solo Cornet Bb (Conductor)
Piccolo Eb
Oboe
Eb Clarinet
1st Clarinet in Bb
2nd Clarinet in Bb
3rd Clarinet in Bb
Bassoon
Eb Alto Saxophone
1st Baritone Bb (and Tenor Saxophone Bb)
1st Horn Eb or Solo Tenor
2nd Horn Eb or 1st Tenor
3rd Horn Eb or 2nd Tenor
4th Horn Eb
Repiano Cornet Bb
2nd Cornet Bb
1st Trombone
2nd Trombone
Bass Trombone
Euphonium (bass clef)
Basses
Contre Bass Bb
Drums

Inscriptions & markings

On envelope: QM136, March Two Step My Temptation Polla, Q114, Scrubbed out 375
Stamped on the reverse of each card: Australian Broadcasting Co. & The Property of Musical Director & Arranger Charles Godfrey