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 Euphonium: Steve Griffin
Steve started learning the Trumpet in 1977 with the Oamaru Garrison Band before switching to Tenor Horn in 1978. Steve has had many success in solos at both provincial and national level, culminating in 1986, when he became the Open Tenor Horn Champion of New Zealand.
Steve has played for H & H Cougar Brass of Invercargil (now Ascott Brass), was a member of the New Zealand Army Band, Christchurch Fire Service band, and Kaikorai Brass in Dunedin. Steve has been in three National Youth Bands, and was a member of the 1992 and 1995 National Bands of New Zealand.
Steve shifted back to Christchurch in 1999 and was appointed Principal Horn of Canterbury Brass at the end of that year. However, with a vacancy becoming available on the second Eupho seat and after 26 years of playing Tenor Horn, Steve decided it was time for an instrument change and shifted to Eupho at the beginning of 2004.
Steve was appointed Principal Euphonium with Canterbury Brass in 2005.
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.
