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

30 parts Concert Band Instrumentation
Quick March
Key Signature: Db Major

Instrumentation:
Db Flute & Piccolo
Oboes
Eb Clarinets
1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd & 4th Bb Clarinets
1st Bassoon
2nd Bassoon
Eb Alto Saxophone
Bb Tenor Saxophone
Solo Eb Horn
1st Eb Horn
2nd Eb Horn
3rd Eb Horn
4th Eb Horn
Eb Trumpets
Eb Soprano Cornet
Solo Bb Cornet
1st Bb Cornet
2nd Bb Cornet
3rd & 4th Bb Cornet
2nd Trombone (Tenor Clef)
Bass Trombone
1st Bb Baritone
2nd Bb Baritone
Bb Euphonium (Treble Clef)
Bb Bass (Treble Clef)
Bombardon (Treble Clef)
Side Drum
Bass Drum

With Peak Hill Miner Band stamp:
3rd & 4th Altos
Eb Cornet
3rd Trombone
Baritone Saxophone
1st & 2nd Tenors
Bb Bass
1st & 2nd Trombones
Basses

Inscriptions & markings

On envelope: QM141, Q123