WHAKATANE CITIZENS BAND now playing as EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY BRASS has existed for over 100 years.
2017 was the year we take our initial step into the ‘A’ GRADE CHAMPIONSHIPS arena having existed primarily in the B Grade and lower previous to then. We are one of 10 ‘A’ Grade bands in New Zealand and the only one from a provincial town.
Our Musical Director, Alan Spence QSM has been with us for 26 great years. We are proud to be very family orientated – in fact 18 of our band have an immediate family member alongside them. Most of our players have National Titles, some even in the development squad. We have more school age children playing for us than any other Brass Band in New Zealand – the youngest is 10 years of age.
Our two Development Squad numbers are growing rapidly – Youth Development is our primary focus. Senior band members devote time to one on one tuition voluntarily. Volunteer input is essential to our existence. You are so welcome to check us out and see if you would like to fit in – playing or volunteering. You would be more than welcome.