A Joyful Noise in Ōtāhuhu 

Only eighteen months ago numbers were dwindling in Ōtāhuhu Corps brass band. A chance meeting and conversation changed everything. ‘I sat down with a lady when we were having a cup of tea and she said to me, ‘I’d like to learn a brass instrument.’ I told her if she got a group together, I’d teach them. She bought along 16 to 17 people to that first session,’ explains Barrie Turner, now a band tutor at Ōtāhuhu Corps. 

Barrie, along with Bandmaster Andrew Browne, marvel at how quickly the band has grown. Both men have a life-long interest and passion for music. Andrew has been bandmaster at Ōtāhuhu for over ten years and Barrie has over forty years’ experience as a conductor of concert and brass bands. Together, they make a talented team, with Andrew leading the senior band and Barrie tutoring in their Band Academy. 

‘We play on Sunday mornings and once a month we have a meeting where we all come together to play. We also play at retirement villages, in shopping malls and carols at Christmas time,’ shares Andrew. 

‘The band members are an amazing group of people and are very keen to learn,’ says Barrie. ‘Rarely is someone away from rehearsal. It’s very encouraging to have a culture where people feel they belong,’ adds Andrew. 

‘I absolutely love it,’ shares Barrie. ‘After only eighteen months everyone is now playing in the senior band.’ ‘I enjoy building relationships and being part of a group that plays together. We can play tunes to the glory of God, and everyone enjoys making a joyful noise unto the Lord’ says Andrew.