Obituary MR R. J. ESTALL

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30960, 17 January 1966, Page 10

Obituary MR R. J. ESTALL

A man regarded as the doyen of New Zealand bandsmen, Mr Randolph James Estall, died in Christchurch during the week-end. He was 86.

Mr Estall was born in Wellington and came to Christchurch when he was nine years old. For about a year he was taught by Mr Francis Craze in the Bumham Band, and then returned to Wellington.

In Wellington he served with three bands, including Jupp’s Band, before returning to Christchurch where he took up permanent residence. In 1897 he joined the Woolston Brass Band, and in 1905 he was married to Miss Annie Elizabeth Andrews. In 1914 he became conductor of the Woolston Band, a position he held until 1952. He won many major championships with the band, and in 1947 celebrated 50 years as a member of it. In 1933 Mr Estall took the Woolston Brass Band to Australia, where it won a major prize.

In 1935, in recognition of his services to music in New Zealand, he was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal. In 1950 he attended his last contest as conductor of the Woolston Band, which won all the major awards at the Christchurch Centennial national contest that year. Mr Estall judged at several major Australian brass band contests. In 1950 he was awarded the M.B.E. Mr> Estall retired from the Woolston Band in 1952, and lived in Christchurch until his death. After his retirement he continued his interest in bands, and helped coach individual bandsmen and several small bands. During his long career Mr Estall made more than 400 broadcasts for the New Zealand Broadcasting Service, and he also recorded programmes for the British Broadcasting Corporation. Mr Estall is survived by two daughters and a son.