In 2022, we acknowledged many people in NZ couldn’t play with a band for many reasons: too far from home, already busy when a local band rehearsed, too exhausted to dedicate to regular rehearsals, live in a rural or remote area, no band nearby etc. All Comers Band fosters happy music making, friendships, challenges and community.
Anyone of any age is welcome but must be available on the Friday evening of Festival to attend the only rehearsal Musicians should be able to manage grade 3.5 to grade 4 wind band music. This band will be adjudicated as any other band is, and members are encouraged to attend Festival as any other player would. Registration fee is the same as for other bands: $30pp.
Music will be available to download at least four weeks before the event and must be ‘performance ready’ for the rehearsal. Please use tools like tuners and metronomes, and playalong with the recordings below (once they are available). All musicians must arrive with their own copies printed. Originals will be held but not handed out.
Info for 2026
Schedule
- Rehearsal: Friday June 26th from 6:30-9:30/10pm. Performing Arts Centre Auditorium, St Peters School, Cambridge.
- Please bring any food or drink you’ll need. We will take a half-hour break, but it won’t be long enough to go out.
- Bring music and all accessories and a pencil. You do not need to bring a stand.
- Performance: Saturday June 27th as per finalised schedule (watch for it on our website/socials)
- Please be at St Peters School no later than, 60 mins ahead of the warm-up time to allow yourself time to park, relax, set up your instrument, etc. Warm Up time is 30 mins ahead of performance time.
- Wear black or black with white shirt/top
- Prizegiving: Sunday evening June 28th. Optional, but we’d love you there if you can be.
Repertoire with YouTube samples.
Flight of the Piasa – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toI0j0n3Njs&list=RDtoI0j0n3Njs&start_radio=1
Danse Macabre arr. Pechot – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–VXBtstJBc&list=RD–VXBtstJBc&start_radio=1 (tempo likely a bit faster than recording)
Magic Valley – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXZ2LlDDSAY&list=RDRXZ2LlDDSAY&start_radio=1
Extraordinary Machines of Clockwork & Steam – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD1JaEhSRQQ&list=RDKD1JaEhSRQQ&start_radio=1
Musical Directors:
2026: Simon Brew
2025: Tom Chester
2024: Kathleen Mulligan
2023: Kathleen Mulligan
2022: Simon Brew