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 Parts Concert Band Instrumentation
Feldman's Brass & Military Band Journal
March and One-Step
Tempo di Marcia
Key Signature: Ab Major

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

Inscriptions & markings

On envelope: QM17, Stamps indicating 19 FEB 1940, 29 JUN 1940, 28 DEC 1940, 23 MAY 1941. Q23, 405 (crossed out).
Stamped on the reverse of each card: Australian Broadcasting Commission *Sydney*