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: C Major

Instrumentation:
Solo Bb Cornet (Piston au Bugle)
Db Flute & Piccolo
Concert Flute & Piccolo
Oboes
Eb Clarinet
1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd Bb Clarinets
1st Bassoon
2nd Bassoon
Bb Soprano Saxophone
Eb Alto Saxophone
Bb Tenor Saxophone
Eb Baritone Saxophone
1st Eb Horn
2nd Eb Horn
Solo Eb Tenor Horn
Eb Soprano Cornet
Solo Bb Cornet
1st or Repiano Bb Cornet
2nd Bb Cornet
3rd & 4th Bb Cornets
1st Trombone (Treble)
2nd Trombone (Treble)
Bass Trombone
1st Baritone
2nd Baritone
Euphonium (Treble)
Eb Basses (Treble)
Side Drum
Bass Drum
Handwritten Rep. Clari Bb

Inscriptions & markings

On envelope: QM144, Old Solider Ancliffe, Q229, 25 May 1940, Jun 1940, 17 Nov 1940, 7 Dec 1940