Band out of brass

Money woes ruined title chance, reports Candice Reed
Musicians in one of New Zealand's best bands are brassed off.
For the first time since 1995, the Dalewool Auckland Brass Band didn't compete at the national championship where it has won 12 times.
Second baritone player and the band's marketing manager Daniel Wilson says the band was shocked at having to withdraw from the championships in Christchurch last month because of financial pressures.
The band performs a concert series at a number of Auckland premier venues, but as hire costs rise and ticket sales fall, it can no longer cover costs.
``The financial strain has reached its toll, catalysing in the disheartening consequence of not being able to defend our title as New Zealand's highest ranked band,' says Mr Wilson.
During the 1990s, the band won Champion Brass Band of New Zealand more often than any other band, earning the reputation of the country's leading band of the decade. In 2003 and 2004, it was crowned Champion Band of New Zealand and, in 2005, won Band of the Year.
In September 2004, the band went to the United Kingdom to compete in the prestigious British Open competition, placing in the top 10 at the world's premier brass band competition.
This reputation has attracted musicians from across the world to the Auckland band to learn under the baton of conductor Nigel Weeks.
Repaino cornet player Louisa Smith arrived in Auckland from England just seven months ago. She's disappointed the band was forced to pull out of the national competition.
``Dalewool is the premier brass band in New Zealand and has been for a very long time,' she says.
``Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, when we can't go to a contest it does have an impact on the standing of the band in terms of rankings in the world.'
Miss Smith, a musician for 14 years, has been in world-class brass bands before.
She was shocked on arriving in New Zealand to find few people appreciated the quality of music produced by talented Kiwi brass musicians.
``We're a world-class band yet people in our own city have no idea it's going on,' she says.
``They could be listening and going to concerts for one of the top bands in the country and world, but don't even know it's happening just down the road.'
She urges the public to get behind Dalewool and return it to prominence.
Mr Wilson thanked the band's sponsors for continued support, but agreed with Miss Smith that it was up to the public to support Dalewool.
Next performance: Night of the Celts at Auckland Town Hall, tomorrow (Friday, August 15). See www.ticketek.com or ph 0800 842 538.