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: Bb Major

Instrumentation:
1st Flute & C Piccolo
Db Piccolo
Oboes
Eb Clarinet
Solo & 1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd Bb Clarinets
Bassoons
1st Eb Alto Saxophone
Bb Tenor Saxophone
1st Horn in F
2nd Horn in F
2nd Bb Baritone
Solo or 1st Bb Cornet
2nd Bb Cornet
3rd Eb Cornet
1st Trombone (Bass Clef)
2nd Trombone (Bass Clef)
3rd Trombone (Bass Clef)
Euphonium (Baritone - Bass Clef)
Basses (Tuba)
String Bass
Drums
Lyre Bells
Timpani
Eb Alto Clarinet
Eb Baritone Saxophone
2nd Flutes
2nd Bb Ten. Saxophone
1st & 2nd Bb Trumpets
2nd Eb Alto Saxophone

Inscriptions & markings

On envelope: QM138, ...tional Fencibles, Q322