Tom Chester; Music Director of the Aotearoa Wind Ensemble. Photo: Katrina Cooke
Tom Chester is killing two birds with one stone.
He needs an ensemble so he can gain his Fellowship of the Royal Schools of Music (FRSM) in musical direction, but he's also long dreamed of forming a professional concert wind band in New Zealand.
And so the Aotearoa Wind Ensemble was born, and it will have its first concert (with Chester at the helm, of course) early next month.
The Ensemble's stated aim is "to be a professional ensemble dedicated to promoting and performing exceptional wind band music in New Zealand".
Chester spoke with RNZ Concert ahead of the band's inaugural concert in central Auckland's St Matthew-in-the-City on Sunday 2 November in the afternoon.
Under the banner "Te Hau" (The Wind), Chester will conduct symphonic wind music by David Woodcock, Philip Sparke and Anthony Ritchie, along with his own arrangements of orchestral works by Jenny McLeod and Clare Cowan.
Originally a trombonist, playing and directing wind concert bands has been Chester's life since he was a member of the Band of the Royal Marines in the UK.
He spoke to RNZ Concert about his military training with the Royal Marines (musicians are expected to be able to attain the same level of physical fitness as the Marines) and his move to New Zealand to join the Royal New Zealand Navy Band.
Chester hopes that the Aotearoa Wind Ensemble is able to give many more concerts after its debut, especially performing New Zealand music for wind band.
We also hope he gets his FRSM!
Photo: Aotearoa Wind Ensemble
