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

21 parts concert band instrumentation
March or Two-Step
Key Signature: Eb Major

Instrumentation:
Solo Cornet Bb (Conductor)
Flute & Piccolo
Oboes
Eb Clarinets
1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd Bb Clarinets
Bassoons
Eb Alto Saxophone
1st Bb Baritone or Tenor Saxophone
2nd Baritone Bb
1st Eb Horn
2nd Eb Horn
3rd & 4th Eb Horn
Solo Bb Cornet (Conductor)
2nd Bb Cornet
1st Trombone
2nd Trombone
Bass Trombone
Euphonium (bass clef)
Bombardon (bass clef)
Drums

Inscriptions & markings

On envelope: QM176, Two Step, Round the Marble Arch Butler + Gay, Q146, 345 (scrubbed out)
Stamped on the front of each card: The Australian Broadcasting Commission VIC.
Stamped on the reverse of each card: Australian Broadcasting Commission *Sydney*, The Australian Broadcasting Commission VIC.