Rare chance to hear Army band for Waiouru folk

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 15, Issue 691, 17 June 1997, Page 1

Rare chance to hear Army band for Waiouru folk

The New Zealand Army Band per formed a community concert at Waiouru's Army Training Group's camp cinema last Sunday. "This is the first real attempt to get back to Army camps and show Army people what the civilians get to see all the time," said Army Band director Captain Dave Clearwater. Most of the band's performances are before school audiences, graduation parades and at public relations concerts and this is a rare opportunity to see and hear the talented group of musicians. With an amazingly versatile programme, the Army Band repertoire included big band tunes, a solo by Mark Sand who was recruited to the Army Band from Waiouru, to a song from the cartoon movie Pocahontas called "Colours of the Wind."

The highlight of the performance for many of the children was the history of music feature - a selection of music from the caveman era through Bach and Beethoven to rock 'n' roll, punk rock and even country and western music. Military Aid Programme (MAP) students from throughout Australasiaprovided a different form of entertainment with their parade of national dress from their individual countries during the first half and a Malaysian dance called the Silat was performed by Mohammed Fitri in the second half of the programme. These students are currently attending Officer Cadet School in Waiouru. The Army Band will be staying in Waiouru until their performance at the Officer Cadet School Graduation Parade on Wednesday afternoon.