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

32 Parts Concert Band Instrumentation (missing 1st Trombone)
Swing March
Key Signature: Bb Major

Instrumentation:
Conductor's Score
Db Flute & Piccolo
Oboe
Eb Clarinet
Eb Alto Clarinet
Solo & 1st Bb Clarinets
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd Bb Clarinet
Bb Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Bb Soprano Saxophone
1st Eb Alto Saxophone
2nd Eb Alto Saxophone
Bb Tenor Saxophone
Eb Baritone Saxophone
Bb Bass Saxophone
1st Horn in Eb
2nd Horn in Eb
3rd Horn in F
4th Horn in Eb
Bb Trumpets
Solo bb Cornet (Conductor)
1st Bb Cornet
2nd Bb Cornet
3rd Bb Cornet
2nd Trombone
Bass Trombone
Euphonium (Treble Clef) (Baritone)
Euphonium (Bass Clef) (Baritone)
Basses
Bells (Glockenspiel)
Side Drum
Bass Drum

Inscriptions & markings

On envelope: QM40, Q344
B. & H. 16410