We played two public performances - one at the historic Christchurch Arts Centre and one at the Charles Luney Auditorium

During the holidays I flew down to Christchurch to meet 60 other musicians who had successfully auditioned for the National Secondary Schools Brass Band. Half were in the development band, and the other half were in the main band. I played Bb bass (tuba) in the main band. We stayed at St Margaret's College in dorms from Tuesday to Saturday, ate well, and connected with other new people. Every day, we practised as a band and in our own sections: basses, trombones, cornets, etc. 

Special activities made each day memorable and helped us grow not only as brass band players, but as people, too. We had the principal bass trombone player from the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Pablo Ruiz Henao, come in to teach us about breathing, articulation and what it means to play in a musical band. We played two public performances - one at the historic Christchurch Arts Centre and one at the Charles Luney Auditorium. It was an amazing opportunity and a chance to meet other passionate brass musicians.

by Harry Donald