Making music in our community for over 100 years
1883 brought about some important moments in history. The Brooklyn bridge was opened, Richard Wagner died, Buffalo Bill staged his first Wild West show and here in Christchurch New Zealand the Addington Railway Workshops founded a brass band for the enjoyment of its employees and their families.
Comprised mainly of workshop staff, the band was funded by a levy imposed on all workshop employees. It performed regularly at picnics and social events.
The band went into recess at the beginning of the first world war as many of its members volunteered for service.
Re-established after WWII the band maintained an association with the Addington Workshops for over a century, with name changes along the way including “Railfreight Addington Brass” and “Trans Rail Addington Brass”.
In 2001 Addington Brass merged with Christchurch City Brass (formerly known as: NZ Fire Service Band, Christchurch Fire Brigade Band, Christchurch Municipal and Christchurch Tramways Band) – originally formed after WWI.
In 2021, the band restarted our youth band in the form of the Addington TRAINing Band and 2024 saw the band restart the Addington Workshop Band.
Above, the 1963 and 1964 iterations of the Addington Workshops Brass Band conducted by Mervyn J Waters. The ’64 band won the New Zealand B Grade Championship AND the Quickstep (display marching) contest which was taken very seriously at that time. The photo with the trees was most likely snapped in South Hagley Park just off Deans Avenue where the band used to practice its field marching routine on Sunday mornings under the direction of Drum Major Rolland (Rolly) Troon. Listen to the Addington Workshops Brass Band perform the march, Invercargill.
Below, the Addington Workshops Brass Band receiving new instruments worth $9000. Pictured is a BBb bass accepted from the workshops manager (Mr Ivan Sellers) by Band Sergeant Bob Baker on behalf of the band.
