Original Kerepehi Brass Band member plays on

Kerepehi Brass Band's Rowen Garrett is the only original member left who still plays in the band. Photos / Supplied

Rowen Garrett said goodbye to piano lessons as soon as he picked up his first brass instrument.

Rowen was just 10 when the Kerepehi Brass Band formed 75 years ago. He received a Queen's service medal for services to brass bands from Dame Patsy Reddy last month.

Rowen was learning to play the piano at the time. His tutor Mr Vivien was starting up the brass band and suggested Rowen join.

''That was the finish of piano lessons. Three fingers are easier to handle than 10,'' he says.

The very first band practice attracted a handful of senior players but the remainder were learners, he says. About 15 attended.

''When I started none of us could play anything. We had to learn the fingering. There was some senior players but the rest of us were learning [including Reddy's father, Neil Reddy who was also a founding member of Kerepehi Brass Band].''

Rowen Garrett received a Queen's service medal from Dame Patsy Reddy in April. Photos / Supplied

Rowen started on the cornet, then bass, drum and he is still a bass player. Once an instrument became available, it was yours, he says.

''I wouldn't say the cornet was easy, the mouthpiece was quite small and I didn't go onto bass until 1950. Once you learn that, theoretically you could learn any instrument.''

Rowen recalls hours sitting in the blinding sun playing for the marching girls in the 1950s.

''We sat out in sun for 5-6 hours at a time, it was fairly hard work.''

Anzac Day and Christmas were always busy times for brass bands back then.

Kerepehi Brass Band in the early days.

''On Anzac Days we use to play up to three times a day and it took all day — twice in the morning and one in afternoon. Now we now play twice, usually Paeroa and Ngatea.

''We have been very busy and I don't think we have turned down many engagements.''

Rowen says there's been a resurgence in Anzac Day popularity. Ngatea hall was standing room only this year, he says.

Christmas is also a busy day sometimes playing up to four parades all over the region. Paeroa, Ngatea, Thames and Whitianga are booked this year.

Rowen is is only original member left who still plays. Max Vivien — whose father founded the group — is still a member.

''We have only had six conductors for the 75 years. They stay for long periods of time and not many bands can say that.''

Rowen gets immense enjoyment playing in the band and has no plans to stop.
''I'll carry on until they carry me out.''

Rowen is from a musically inclined family — his mother could play anything on the piano and his brother played baritone horn. Rowen's own family is also musically adept with all six of his children - plus a grandchild and a great-grandchild - going through the band.

He has served as the band master, chairman, president, vice president and committee member.

He has been the band's librarian for many years as well as undertaken maintenance of the band hall. He has played for brass bands across Waikato and Bay of Plenty when additional players have been required.

Rowen has also served on the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Brass Band Association executive committee.