The New Zealand Army Band: bringing it to Gisborne, for free

Musical mission: The New Zealand Army Band will be in Gisborne on Thursday on a special operation . . . to help lift the spirits of the region as it continues its recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle. Gisborne is part of the band’s tour of North Island secondary schools. The band will be performing in the Gisborne Boys’ High School hall. Picture by Corporal Sean Spivey

The New Zealand Army Band is hoping to lift the spirits of the Tairāwhiti community after Cyclone Gabrielle, with a free concert at Gisborne Boys’ High School on Thursday.

The family-friendly live show encompasses popular music, musical theatre, jazz and rock, with a promise of something for everyone to enjoy.

New Zealand Army Band director of music Major Graham Hickman, said it’s a special stop on the band’s tour of North Island secondary schools.

“We’ve been wanting to get up to the East Coast again for a couple of years and were planning to perform the first week of March in schools from Napier to Ruatoria,” Major Hickman said.

“Obviously Cyclone Gabrielle changed those plans but we are lucky to be able to reschedule for the first week of May, and while we’re in the neighbourhood we wanted to put on a free concert for the Tairāwhiti community.”

The band recently performed a cover of “35” by Ka Hao featuring Rob Ruha, a song that celebrates Tairāwhiti and life on State Highway 35 on the East Coast from Ōpōtiki to Gisborne.

The video of their rendition has gone viral online, viewed more than 200,000 times since its release in early March.

Bandmaster Staff Sergeant Phil Johnston said the musicians would play a mix of swing, rock and popular music.

“People usually expect a military-style concert from the Army Band, but we are much more than marching and classical music,” Staff Sergeant Johnston said.

“People can expect contemporary musical covers as well as some classics, but also selection that will have everyone dancing and singing along with us.

“We are really looking forward to sharing our music with a community who have suffered so much in the last few months.”

• The free event starts at 7pm, but pre-booking is required. Tickets are available at www.eventfinda.co.nz