Kelvin embraces brass for 68 years

TRIBUTE: Kelvin Paris and wife Marie hold the long-service certificate with which he was presented. PHOTOS/LYNDA FERINGA

A Masterton man was presented with a long-service award this week from the New Zealand Brass Bands Association for his lifetime dedication to the brass band movement.

Kelvin Paris, whose involvement with brass bands began in 1947, served the Masterton District Brass band for 60 years and the Trust Porirua City Brass Band for seven.

Members from the Masterton and Porirua brass bands celebrated Mr Paris' achievements with him at Lyndale Manor, where he now lives.

The certificate was presented to him by Brass Band Association of New Zealand life member Bill Platt, Mr Paris' long-time friend.

"Kelvin was initially a cornet player of great ability before switching to the euphonium some years ago," Mr Platt said.

"His involvement and commitment to his chosen interest was not confined to making music himself. He has served the Masterton band as its musical director, as chairman, and also in the capacity of trainer for young, aspiring musicians, including a period of time when he taught brass music at Cornwall St school.

"For a period of seven years, Kelvin played for the Trust Porirua City Brass Band, where his dedication and performance levels never faltered, and he traversed the Rimutakas twice weekly for scheduled practices with the band, never late and seldom put off by adverse weather."

Mr Paris won accolades and several top placings in NZ veteran competitions and 16 Wellington district titles over the last 24 years. He also gained selection in the National Band of New Zealand.

Mr Paris' wife, Marie, his brother Ted, and Ted's wife, Dorothy, were among those who celebrated Mr Paris' lifetime dedication to the brass-band movement.