News
Join us for an unforgettable musical experience with NBS A Night at the Opera, Saturday 5 September 2026, 7:00pm at the Theatre Royal.
Step into an evening of drama, passion, and exceptional brass playing as NBS Nelson City Brass, led by Ross Gerritsen, presents a diverse programme inspired by some of the world’s most beloved operatic scores spanning over 300 years.
The band is delighted to welcome back Soprano Anotina Brightwell who featured at the 2025 Last Night of the Proms and Tenor Ivan Zhang, who sings with the Band for the first time. We are also delighted to welcome New Zealand pianist, Dr Sarah Watkins back to feature alongside our exceptional singers. This concert blends the power of brass with the beauty of voice – bringing iconic arias, overtures, and operatic favourites to life at the beautiful Theatre Royal.
Whether you’re a devoted opera lover or a fan of the band, this is a night of storytelling and spectacle you won’t want to miss.
Tickets are available through the Theatre Royal. This concert is likely to sell out, so be in quick to secure your seat.
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.
NBS Nelson City Brass is excited to announce a line-up of guest conductors for our upcoming events.
Mark Carter
Sunday Melodies, Sunday 26 April, Nelson Cathedral
We are delighted to welcome conductor and trumpet player Mark Carter as guest conductor for Sunday Melodies, 2:00pm on Sunday 26 April at Nelson Cathedral. Mark is currently Sub-Principal Trumpet with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since 1996.
Originally from Dorset, UK, he began his musical life in the brass band tradition, playing cornet from the age of seven before studying trumpet at the Royal Academy of Music.
Since settling in New Zealand, Mark has built a wide-ranging international career, performing with major orchestras across the UK, Australia, South Africa, and Asia. He is Assistant Conductor of Stroma, New Zealand’s leading contemporary music ensemble, and Music Director of both Wellington Youth Orchestra and the Hutt Valley Orchestra. He also regularly conducts orchestral and brass ensembles throughout the country.
Mark teaches at the New Zealand School of Music – Te Kōkī and is currently Musical Director of the National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand, reflecting his strong commitment to the brass band movement. Known for his clear, encouraging rehearsal style and his ability to inspire confident, musical performances, he is an ideal choice for this concert. Tickets are selling fast and are available through NCMA.
Tickets are selling fast – available through NCMA.
Andrew Snell
Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast Regional Band Competition
Originally from Somerset in the UK, Andrew began playing trombone at age 10 before studying Band Musicianship at University College, Salford. He then spent 11 years with the internationally renowned Grimethorpe Colliery Band, touring globally and winning both the National Brass Band Championships and the British Open Championships. During this time, he also featured in the iconic film Brassed Off!.
Since moving to New Zealand and Australia, Andrew has built an outstanding reputation as both a conductor and arts leader. He has led championship bands to multiple major titles, including a record seven Victorian A-Grade State Championships in eight attempts. His leadership roles have also included senior positions with Victorian Opera, Ara Institute of Canterbury, and the Australian Music Examinations Board.
Andrew is deeply passionate about music education and the role of the arts in enriching community life. We are thrilled to welcome him as conductor for the regional competition at the Whitehaven (ASB) Theatre in Blenheim on Saturday 13 June.
Interim Musical Directors
We are also pleased to confirm that band members Mike Ford and Ross Gerritsen will support the band as interim Musical Directors for rehearsals and community events over the coming months, until a permanent appointment is made.
Mike (current New Zealand Tenor Horn Champion) and Ross (current New Zealand Baritone Horn runner-up) are exceptional musicians, and we are fortunate to have this level of talent within the band. We look forward to working alongside them in the months ahead.