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
Key Signature: Bb Major
Included hand written 1st Clarinet part

Instrumentation:
Eb Flute & Piccolo
Oboes
Eb Clarinet
1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd & 4th Bb Clarinets
Solo Eb Saxhorn (Eb Alto)
1st Bb Baritone (Bb Tenor)
1st Bassoon
2nd Bassoon
Solo Bb Cornet (Conductor pencilled in)
1st Bb Cornet
2nd Bb Cornet
1st Eb Horn
2nd Eb Horn
3rd Eb Horn
4th Eb Horn
1st Trombone
2nd Trombone
Bass Trombone
Euphonium (Baritone) (Bass Clef)
Bombardon (Tuba)
Side Drum
Bass Drum

Inscriptions & markings

On envelope: QM23, Stamp indicating 19 NOV 1943. Q20, 389 (crossed out).
Stamped on the reverse of each card: Australian Broadcasting Commission *Sydney*