RNZAF band tours the north

 

The Royal New Zealand Air Force Band (RNZAF) is starting the year on the road, with a four-stop concert tour in the north of the country.

The band will perform The Air Force on Tour concerts in Warkworth, Whangarei, Kerikeri and Manukau February 19-23.

The touring group will comprise 58 members, who are all RNZAF reservist musicians. They all have full-time jobs outside their work with the band, ranging from professional musicians to economists and teachers.

Included in the line-up is accomplished singer Lisa Tomlins, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the music industry, has toured extensively in Australasia, Asia, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States and has worked with such noted performers as Neil Finn and Fat Freddie’s Drop.

Bandmaster Sergeant Ben Robertson is excited at the prospect of touring the northern part of New Zealand to perform an exciting array of music.
“It’s just great getting out on the road with the band, which is noted for its electric performances,” he said.

He is promising to take audiences on a wild ride of musical styles, from military classics to popular show tunes.

“You will hear everything from Mozart to John Williams and even the king of pop, Michael Jackson,” bandmaster Sergeant Robertson said. “Soloists will include recent QSM recipient Murray Mansfield on bagpipes, the thrilling drum line and legendary vocalist Lisa Tomlins.”

As well as the evening concerts the band will also perform for schoolchildren during the tour. The music for them will be a mixture from traditional marches and movie scores to Taylor Swift.

“The students will get to hear each instrument on its own and we also give them a demonstration of how music all fits together in a really simple yet entertaining way,” Sergeant Robertson said.

 

Local Tour Dates  Warkworth: February 19, 7pm, Mahurangi College Auditorium, Woodcocks Road. Tickets available at the door (EFTPOS available).  Whangarei: February 20, 7pm, Forum North, 7 Rust Ave. Tickets from Ticketek.

The RNZAF Band in full flight at the St James Theatre in Wellington.