Principal Players
Principal Cornet: Kevin McMorran
Kevin began his banding career on the West Coast and had considerable early success. He gained selection in the National Youth Band on four separate occasions and won the Junior Cornet solo title in 1978.
In 1981, Kevin moved to Christchurch where he joined the Woolston Band then conducted by Mervyn Waters. Under the expert guidance of Mr Waters, Kevin was able to gain much success as a soloist both at provincial and national level.
Kevin was selected for the National Band of New Zealand in 1985 and subsequently gained selection for the 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009 National bands.
In 1995, Kevin was appointed as Principal Cornet of Canterbury Brass. At the National Contest in New Plymouth in 1997, he won the "Shell Soloist of the Year" title.
Principal Horn: Bill Vail
Bill started playing the Tenor Horn at the age of 9 on the South Coast of England. He played in the Hampshire County Youth Band through his teenage years moving up the ranks to attain the position of Principal Horn. His time there culminated with the band winning the title of Champion Youth Brass Band of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall in 1983.
Bill moved to Leeds in 1986 to follow a career in the Electronics Industry. This move to the heart of the banding world afforded many valuable opportunities which led to a position as a soloist in the Yorkshire Imperial Band. During his time with this band it was ranked number 2 amongst some big named bands in the Yorkshire area, and around sixth in the Brass Band World rankings.
In 1995 Bill moved to New Zealand and has since held positions of principal horn and deputy director for the Addington and Woolston bands as well as being principal horn for the National Brass Band of New Zealand in 2003 and 2005. Bill won the NZ Open Horn title in 2001 and has followed this up with seven New Zealand and one Australian national second placings. Currently, as well as playing for Canterbury Brass, Bill manages and plays with a 5 piece brass ensemble, Twisted Brass.
Principal Euphonium: Dave Mallett
David began his banding career with the Whangarei and Auckland City Brass Bands in the late 90's, and gained selection in the National Youth Band on five separate occasions on Baritone from 2000-2004. David has also had solo success at national level as a junior, winning the junior horn title in 1998 and 2000.
Since moving to Christchurch in 2000 David has enjoyed being part of Canterbury Brass as both a baritone player and recently Euphonium, and has had significant success having won both regional open and championship solo melody and air and variation competitions. At national level David won the open baritone title in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007, coming second in 2002, 2004 and 2006; and won the Pat Cole medal for the youngest open solo winner in 2001 and 2003. David was selected for the 2005 National Band tour to the World Brass Band championships in Kerkrade, Holland.
From 2007-2010 David left for his OE, and was a member of the world famous Fairey Band in Manchester and enjoyed the chance to play at every major English contest and overseas.
In 2011 David was appointed as Principal Euphonium of Canterbury Brass.
Principal Trombone: Brian Eckersley
Brian commenced his musical career as an eight year old in the Waimangaroa Silver Band. While there, he was selected for both the 1971 and 1972 National Youth Bands.
After the 1972 National Youth Band, Brian moved to Invercargill to further his playing career with the successful Invercargill Garrison Band.
Brian was selected in the 1976, 1978, 1980 and 1995 National Bands of New Zealand. In addition, Brian spent six years in the New Zealand Army Band as Principal Trombone.
A successful and versatile musician, Brian has been deputy conductor of Canterbury Brass since 1997
Principal Bass: Bob Grimwood
Bob came to New Zealand in 1964 from the North East of England and joined the Woolston Band under the conductorship of Bill Stewart. Originally a cornet player, Bob moved to Eb Tenor Horn in 1968 and was a member of the winning quartet at the Rotorua Nationals in 1969.
Bob switched to EEb Bass, at the request of Mervyn Waters, in 1980 winning his first of many National Open EEb Bass Solo titles in 1981. Bob has since won numerous solo titles both at National and Provincial levels.
Bob was selected as Principal Bass in the 1985 and 1989 National Bands, and has been the Principal Bass of Canterbury Brass since 1996.
