Horowhenua StarLevin and Districts Brass is celebrating its 125th year and plans to see many more years with a new youth academy that could boost band numbers by at least 30.
The band’s bass trombone player, Mat West, has offered to take over the current youth tutoring programme – the academy would be an extension of that programme. He ran a successful academy in Taupō for several years.
Levin and Districts Brass in a recent photo, and the Levin Municipal Band – forerunner of the current band – in a photo taken in 1964. – Photos supplied
President Chris Craddock says the academy could have 30 young people being tutored on brass and percussion weekly.
“The main push for learners will be at the start of 2026 when Mat will visit all schools in the Horowhenua,” he says.
nniversary celebrations will include a special concert and a fundraising programme for new instruments. The band currently has 31 brass players, three percussionists, a musical director, and a compere.
It was originally called Levin Municipal Band, established on April 21, 1900. In 1989 the band was renamed Levin and Districts Brass.
Chris started with Levin Municipal Band as a 7-year-old learner in 1968. His first national contest with the senior band was in Dunedin in 1974. The longest continuous member of the band is drum major/bass player Nigel Hewit, who started 47 years ago in 1978.
The band’s youngest members are brother and sister Hugh Maas, 15 (trombone), and Leah Maas, 13 (solo cornet). Their father is musical director David Maas. The oldest playing member is former conductor Colin Honey, 84 (cornet).
Recent success nationally means the band can also celebrate moving up from the national C Grade to B Grade.
The band will have its anniversary concert at The Village Hall, Speldhurst Country Estate, Levin, at 2pm on Sunday, December 7,
followed by a dinner for current and past members at Speldhurst’s The George
restaurant.
As the band works towards a busy December, the concert will be the culmination of several days of activities. It starts on Wednesday, December 3, with eight hours of carolling at the Levin New World Christmas Club Day. On Friday, December 5, the band travels to Marton for a 7.30pm concert at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, and on the Saturday the band will join the Levin Christmas Parade at 2pm, followed by a barbecue and fellowship at the band room.
• All past members are invited to the concert and dinner – contact secretary.levinbrass@gmail.com
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