NBS Nelson City Brass is delighted to announce that Ross Gerritsen has been appointed as Musical Director for an initial period through to March 2027, with his first engagement leading the band for ‘A Night at the Opera’ on Saturday 5 September.

Beginning in Whanganui, Ross won National Junior titles on cornet and euphonium before moving to Auckland to join Waitakere Brass, playing in the euphonium section alongside Riki McDonnell. Together they won three National Duet titles. He later moved to Dalewool Auckland Brass, where he spent over a decade as 1st baritone. Ross then moved to Thailand, spending four years as Head of Performing Arts at Regents International School Pattaya.

Returning to New Zealand late 2021, he became Head of Arts at Nayland College and has continued his success as a baritone and euphonium player, winning the Open Baritone title along with nine regional and national duet titles with Mike Ford. In 2003, Ross was appointed Solo Baritone of the National Band – a position he has held on nine occasions. His touring highlights include New Zealand tours in 2003, 2007, and 2022, along with the upcoming Resonate concert weekends in Christchurch and Hamilton. Internationally, he has toured China and Korea (2014), Australia (2023), and Kerkrade (2005, 2009, and 2017), where the band placed second at the World Music Contest.

While his brass band career has focused on performance, Ross has conducted numerous musicals, including West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera, and Les Misérables receiving awards for West Side Story (Best Musical) and The Wizard of Oz (Best Musical Director). During his time at Saint Kentigern College (Auckland), his concert band earned multiple Gold Awards at the KBB Music Festival and he has toured Europe, South America, Asia, and the United States with school groups. Ross is excited to lead the band in A Night at the Opera, the annual Christmas Concert, and Nelson’s 2027 Opera in the Park, and will play a key role in preparing the band for the NZ National Championships in Invercargill next April.

We are excited to welcome Ross into the Musical Director role and look forward to working with him over the coming months as we prepare for the NBS Night at the Opera.