Six decades of brass

HONOURED: Te Awamutu Brass member David Haberfield receives congratulations from Gaynor Krippner on behalf of her father Ted Newbery, a member of Te Awamutu’s Twin Town Moree Band and family friend of the Haberfield’s since the first visit to Te Awamutu in 1975. Mr Newbery celebrated 60 years with Moree Band in August this year. TC161008DT04

BY DEAN TAYLOR

Members of the brass band fraternity gathered to celebrate a unique honour when Te Awamutu Brass member David Haberfield was presented with a certificate for sixty years of service. What was most unique was that Mr Haberfield has been with Te Awamutu Brass his entire banding career — and doesn’t plan to quit just yet.

As well as official recognition from the Brass Band Association of New Zealand (BBANZ) and his own band, Waipa Mayor Alan Livingston was on hand to make a presentation for such distinguished service on behalf of Te Awamutu and district.

Mr Haberfield joined the then Te Awamutu Municipal Band as a young lad under Bob Close. He commenced learning an instrument in August, 1948 and in September that year become a senior band member as he was able to read music and mastered the playing techniques quickly. Mr Haberfield played second tenor horn and was the youngest player, seated along side the oldest, Arthur Bygrave.

His first contest was South Auckland in Cambridge at Easter 1949. The back row of cornets then were Bob Lee and sons Alan, Lloyd and Roy. Bob Lee Jnr. was on euphonium with George Vercoe. Te Awamutu won the Cambridge Contest and then had success again in Thames the following year.

Mr Haberfield moved from horn to euphonium next to George Vercoe who was a great brass and piano player — an incredible musician. The progression was then made from euphonium to Bb cornet. By this time Lloyd Lee was conductor.

Over the years Mr Haberfield has played under Barry Lee, Barry Cullen, Steve Derbyshire, Greg Moverley, Malcolm Gapes — and was even himself conductor for a short time. Mr Haberfield has marched under many Drum Majors in his day including Dick Egglestone, Arthur Fletcher, Brian Calkin, Richard Death, Alan Patterson and presently, Yvonne Cullen.

He has also taken responsibility within band ranks over the years and held just about every position of responsibility and has been a tireless worker at fundraising events. He and his wife Fay worked alongside others over many years to keep the Golf Tournament flourishing, and their efforts saw the band move from the original ‘old red shed’ by the saleyards to the present freehold bandroom on Albert Park Drive.

Te Awamutu Brass president Denise Wilson said Mr Haberfield can be regarded as one of Te Awamutu Brass’ pioneers and his contribution should never be forgotten.

In accepting the award Mr Haberfield said the joy and friendship he got out of banding made everything he had to put in worthwhile. Mr Haberfield reminisced about the ongoing enjoyable experiences banding has brought him and his family, and said banding had brought many lifelong friendships. He spoke especially of the Twin Town relationship with Moree and the great friendships that had developed between the bandsmen and women of the two towns.

Mr Haberfield was moved to have Gaynor Krippner read the message of support from her father, and Mr Haberfield’s great friend, Ted Newbery and also recalled how a then young Gaynor became his and Fay’s adopted daughter, and adopted sister to their sons, when she moved across the Tasman to live in Te Awamutu.

QUARTER OF A CENTURY OF SERVICE

Mrs Wilson had the pleasant task of reading the citation to award her husband Steve his BBANZ 25 Year Award.

Mr Wilson’s involvement with Te Awamutu Brass started when his eldest son, Stephen started to learn cornet under Barry Lee. As a parent he would deliver and pick up Stephen—and just sit and listen. Mr Lee suggested to Mr Wilson that instead of wasting time he should learn to play an instrument himself and sent him home with an Eb bass and the Wilson family had two learners at home.

Mr Wilson was already musical, and loved singing and playing the guitar, so he relished his new challenge and was going to succeed. He was moved into the Senior Band at short notice in 1983 when the band was down an Eb bass for the Australian Contest. Son Stephen moved up into the senior band playing the trombone and in 1985 another son, Daniel started to learn as well.

Family life was never the same again. Mr Wilson has played the baritone and euphonium in band events at regional contests and has attended every New Zealand contest the band has gone to since he joined. He has served on the committee over the years and is at present the Band Representative on that committee. He was the instigator of the original award’s function as he recognised a need to publicly reward people for their work in the brass band movement in Te Awamutu.

Mr Wilson stepped into the role of Steinmaster some years back and has held this job ever since. He has provided many hours of entertainment to the public along with the Stein Band.

Mrs Wilson said her husband is a dedicated player and a willing worker for the band and she was personally proud of his achievements as a family man and for being a committed member of a great community band.

Also at the Awards Luncheon, conductor Barry Cullen explained the difficult tasks he had choosing the recipients of the Arthur Patterson Trophy for most improved player in Senior Band. He says in the end he decided it needed to be shared between Jayden Matchett and Hayden Cullen.