News

John McGough has won the prestigious ‘Top Musician of the Year’ by the Variety Artist Club of New Zealand.

Nelson City Brass band member John McGough has just been named the 2016 ‘Top Musician of the Year’ by the Variety Artist Club of New Zealand at a lavish event at Auckland’s Crowne Plaza hotel.

Trumpet Guy

Known as ‘The Trumpet Guy’, John is well known throughout New Zealand for his tour show providing entertainment on trumpet and flugel horn as well as being a fine vocalist.

In addition he is a respected presenter at many events, and it was this widespread scope of talent that saw him presented with the prestigious award.

Awards

John has also received the ‘Agnew Award for Excellence’ as well as a ‘Scroll of Honour’ for his work within the New Zealand entertainment industry and within the last three months he has been involved with many brass band festivities.

Known as ‘The Trumpet Guy’, John is well known throughout New Zealand for his tour show providing entertainment on trumpet and flugel horn as well as being a fine vocalist

4BR

Celebrations

These included performing at the 35th anniversary celebrations of Continental Airlines Auckland Brass Band winning the World Music Congress Championship in Kerkrade, the 125th anniversary celebrations of Woolston Brass in Christchurch and the Deco Bay Brass Inaugural Awards Dinner in the Hawkes Bay.

John will tour as a member of the 2017 National Band of New Zealand to Kerkrade next year.

Article written by 4barsrest from 4barsrest Website.

Last Night of the Proms, Nelson City Brass, musical director Nigel Weeks, with special guest Allison Cormack.

Theatre Royal, Sunday (September 4).

Reviewed by Judith Paviell.

“Polished” best describes last night’s performance by Nelson’s champion band, along with their gleaming instruments and table groaning with silverware from recent national awards.

Other words like good fun, entertaining and absolutely fantastic also come to mind.

An early impression that the previous night’s performance had sapped musicians’ energy was soon dispelled, thanks to an excellent programme and conductor Nigel Weeks’ hard work and humour.

While all the hooters, whistles, streamers, union jack flags, funny hats and balloons increasingly played their raucous role, it was that polish and well-executed professionalism of the bandsmen that shone through.

After opening with a stirring national anthem in both Maori and English, the band swung into James Curnow’sBlenheim Flourishes. The sections of melody and fine detail reminded me of their versatility, the sheer variety of sound combinations and orchestral feel accomplished. Peter Graham’s Gaelforce was another fine example of this.

Among the usual patriotic numbers such as a rousing Jerusalem and Pomp and Circumstance No , cornetist Steve Rudhall performed a hauntingly beautiful solo of  My Love is Like a Red Red Rose, backed so sensitively by the band.

Later a masterful solo by Zane Maxwell showcased the soulful tone and capacity of the euphonium in Blaydon Races, but it was Ryan Peni’s talent, technique and showmanship in the tuba solo of Czardas that brought down the house.

Polished describes guest soloist Allison Cormack’s performance, too. She has great stage presence  along with her stunning soprano voice  and humour and enchanted with her version of You’ll Never Walk Alone.

This rite of devotion to the “home” country is just an excuse to let your hair down and have a jolly good time, so good that after the last strains of Land of Hope and Glory faded the audience didn’t want to go home.

Article written by STUFF from Nelson Mail.