The History Of Tauranga City Brass

Where we began

Tauranga's brass band tradition was established in the 1880s, with the band performing publicly in the early years of the town. Like many early community bands, it went through periods of change and rebuilding.

A significant revival came around 1890-91, when local musicians George Arnold Ward and Francis Ernest Stewart helped establish the band. Stewart played an important role in organising and training the musicians, while Ward became bandmaster.

When Stewart left Tauranga in 1891, the members presented him with a soprano cornet, purchased through their own subscriptions, as a token of their appreciation. Their farewell address thanked him for his “kind and valuable assistance” with the band, and described the instrument as a reminder of the “pleasant and harmonious hours” they had shared together.

A remarkable photograph from around 1891, taken by Stewart himself (front row, 4th left), gives us a glimpse of the band during this important early period.

Tauranga Brass Band - circa 1891

Early foundations

As Tauranga grew, so did its brass band. During the early twentieth century, the Tauranga Municipal Band became a familiar part of everyday life in the growing town.

The band performed at agricultural shows, sporting events, races, civic celebrations and parades, as well as giving public concerts. The Tauranga Domain and its band rotunda were important venues, while in 1921 the band began regular open air recitals on the Strand.

Life for the band was not always easy. It repeatedly faced falling membership and financial pressures, reforming several times during the early 1900s. The First World War brought another major setback, but the band was rebuilt once again and by 1921 had more than 20 members.

The Municipal Band became an important part of Tauranga's civic identity. In 1937, it led the town's Coronation Day procession into the Domain, playing to a crowd of around 3,000 people.

Through changing times, changing musicians and repeated periods of rebuilding, the band continued to play its part in the community well into the twentieth century.

Tauranga Municipal Band - 1921

The Foresters' Hall

The Foresters’ Hall has an important place in Tauranga’s brass band story.

Built in 1908 on Spring Street for the local Court Royal Oak of the Ancient Order of Foresters, the small timber hall was originally a meeting place for the lodge. By the 1930s, the lodge had ceased operating and the building came under the ownership of the Borough Council.

In 1934, the hall was moved to the rear of the Spring Street site, where it became a home for St John Ambulance cadets and the Tauranga Municipal Band. For the band, it was a familiar place to rehearse, practise and prepare for performances and contests.

The hall remained part of Tauranga’s community life for many years before being moved by the Council to the Historic Village in 1989, where it still stands today. Much of the original building survives, including its distinctive arched entrance and decorative central flower in the ceiling.

The building's heritage name is Foresters' Hall, however "Forresters Hall" appears on the facade of the building today.

Foresters' Hall, shown on facade as Forresters Hall - Historic Village

The Tauranga Fire Brigade Band

The Tauranga Fire Brigade Band emerged from a split within the Tauranga Municipal Band following a disagreement among players over the band’s leadership and conducting. A group of musicians broke away and formed a new band, which became known as the Tauranga Fire Brigade Band.

The band became an important part of Tauranga’s community life during the 1950s and 1960s, performing at parades, civic occasions, public celebrations and community events. It also developed a strong contesting tradition, travelling outside Tauranga to compete at major brass band competitions, including the Auckland contest in 1965.

Tauranga Fire Brigade Band - 1960

The 1968 fire and 10 Yatton Street

The Tauranga Fire Brigade Band had already begun establishing itself as an independent band before 1968, moving from the Fire Brigade Hall to a workshop near Pemberton Park in Gate Pa. This provided the band with a new place to rehearse and develop its own identity, while continuing its strong connection with the local community.

In 1968, the workshop was destroyed by fire, creating another significant turning point for the band. From this setback came the opportunity to establish a more permanent home, with a new purpose-built band room subsequently built at 10 Yatton Street, where Tauranga City Brass resides today.

The new bandroom provided the musicians with a dedicated space for rehearsals and preparation for the growing number of community performances and competitions in which the band was involved.

By 1970, the band was competing nationally under the name Tauranga City Silver, marking the beginning of a new chapter in its history. While the name and identity had changed, the commitment to music, competition and the Tauranga community continued.

The bandroom fire - 1968

Tauranga City Silver Band

Tauranga City Silver went on to establish a strong contesting record. In the 1970s, the band competed in D Grade under conductor M. G. Thorne, including the 1975 New Zealand National Championships and Quickstep March.

The band progressed to C Grade, and also won the C Grade Quickstep March in 1981.

A significant chapter followed under Alex Garrett, who conducted the band for 13 years and became a life member. In 1999, Tauranga City Silver won the New Zealand National D Grade Championship under Alex’s baton.

The band’s success continued into the 2000s. Under Grant Langdon, Tauranga City Silver won the C Grade New Zealand National Championship in Dunedin in 2006. The victory was a notable achievement for the band and saw them promoted to B Grade the following year.

Tauranga City Silver Band marching

From then to now

In 2017, two of Tauranga’s long-standing bands came together when Tauranga Brass, formerly the Tauranga Municipal Band, and Tauranga City Silver Band, formerly the Tauranga Fire Brigade Band, amalgamated to form Tauranga City Brass.

Today, Tauranga City Brass is a B Grade community brass band, performing in contests, concerts and community events. Steve Thompson served as conductor for 18 years, including the band’s C Grade National Championship win in 2019.

From the musicians who gathered in Tauranga in 1880 to those who perform today, the band has been shaped by friendship, dedication and a shared love of brass banding.