Photo credit to MARTIN DE RUYTER

The National Band of New Zealand is heading to the Netherlands to take part in the Brass Band World Championships in July 2017.

The 33 piece ensemble, with members from all over New Zealand including Nelson, will be performing in Kerkrade, a Dutch town on the border with Germany.

New Zealand composer Gareth Farr will write a work as part of the programme that will be performed the Netherlands.

Last year the band did a three week tour of China and South Korea, tour organiser Nigel Weeks, of Nelson, said. Weeks will be joined on the tour by Nelson musicians Steve and Alice Rudhall.

For the 2017 adventure, the band will rehearse for two long weekends in June and October and in April 2017, and right before they leave.

The band members are excited about the next tour as they will be playing against some of the best brass band in the world, said Weeks.

The band, first formed in 1953, has a record of international success with international tours visiting Great Britain, Canada, the United States of America, the Netherlands, France, Russia, Greece, Japan, China, South Korea and Australia.

The National Band showcases New Zealand’s best brass and percussion players, selected from 50 community bands throughout the nation, and its unique brass repertoire at international concert and contest events.

Article written by SARA MEIJ from Nelson Mail.