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
One-Step and March
Key Signature: Db Major
Feldman's Brass & Military Band Journal
By arr. with Cecil Lennox Ltd.
Full Piano Copy Price 6d. also published for Full Orchestra
Refrain lyrics included on Conductor's score

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

Inscriptions & markings

On envelope: QM174, March + One Step, Rio de Janeiro, Q148, Scrubbed out 401
Stamped on the reverse of each card: Australian Broadcasting Commission Sydney