Royal New Zealand Air Force band starts year with Northland tour

The Royal New Zealand Air Force Band is starting the year on the road, with a four-stop concert tour in Northland.

The band will perform The Air Force on Tour concerts in Warkworth, Whangarei, Kerikeri and Manukau from February 19-23.

The touring group has 58 members, who are all RNZAF reservist musicians. They all have fulltime jobs outside their work with the band, ranging from professional musicians to economists and teachers.

Included in the line-up is accomplished singer Lisa Tomlins, who has more than 20 years' experience in the music industry, has toured extensively in Australasia, Asia, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States and has worked with Kiwi performers Neil Finn and Fat Freddie's Drop.

Bandmaster Sergeant Ben Robertson is excited at the prospect of touring the northern part of New Zealand to perform an exciting array of music.

"It's just great getting out on the road with the band, which is noted for its electric performances," he said.

He is promising to take audiences on a wild ride of musical styles, from military classics to popular show tunes.

"You will hear everything from Mozart to John Williams and even the king of pop, Michael Jackson," Mr Robertson said.

"Soloists will include recent QSM recipient Murray Mansfield on bagpipes, the thrilling drum line and legendary vocalist Lisa Tomlins."

As well as the evening concerts, the band will also perform for schoolchildren during the tour. The music for them will be a mixture from traditional marches and movie scores to Taylor Swift.

The band will perform at Mahurangi College Auditorium, Warkworth, on February 19; Forum North, Whangarei, on February 20 and; the Turner Centre, Kerikeri, on February 21. All concerts start at 7pm.