The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Central Band will soon play in a venue near Wanganui hotels.

On February 13th, the group will take the stage at the Royal Wanganui Opera House to kick off a tour celebrating their 75th anniversary of both the musical ensemble and the aviation arm of the national military.

The RNZAF Central Band was established in May 1935 but did not perform in front of audiences until two years later when it led a procession through Wellington to celebrate the coronation of King George VI.

Now it is the largest and only full symphonic such group in the country, with 65 musicians and its own director of music aquadron leader Owen Clarke.

After playing in Wanganui, the band will go on to perform in Palmerston North, Dannevirke, Waipukurau, Napier and Wairoa.

Sergeant Murray Mansfield is the group's bagpiper and is one of the best at his instrument in New Zealand, which has seen him play for the Queen during her latest visit.

Book your Stay at the Kingsgate Hotel The Avenue Wanganui



03/02/2012