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

20 parts Concert Band Instrumentation
Quick March
Key Signature: Eb Major

Instrumentation:
Solo or 1st Bb Cornet (Conductor handwritten at the top)
Piccolo (Db handwritten)
Eb Clarinet
1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd Bb Clarinet
Bassoon
1st & 2nd Eb Altos (crossed out and Horns)
3rd & 4th Eb Altos
Eb Cornet
1st Bb Cornet (solo scrubbed out)
2nd & 3rd Bb Cornets
1st & 2nd Trombones
3rd Trombone
1st & 2nd Trombones (Treble Clef)
3rd Trombone (Treble Clef)
Baritone (scrubbed out and written Euphonium)
Baritone (treble clef)

Inscriptions & markings

On envelope: QM137, March National Emblem Bagley, Q122, scrubbed out 396
4 Apr 1940, 8 Sep 1941, 14 Apr 1942, 27 Oct 1942 (twice), 15 Nov 1943
Stamped on the reverse of each card: Australian Broadcasting Co. & The Property of Musical Director & Arranger Charles Godfrey