Former Ashburton-lad Errol Miller has just been awarded a rare 80-year bandsman pin by his peers. It was a special accolade, and the first in New Zealand’s history.
He said it was a humbling experience.
The 89-year-old was presented his pin at the national brass band championship in Wellington last month by Brass Band Association of New Zealand president John Sullivan.
‘‘It was in the Michael Fowler concert chamber in Wellington, because that’s where the band championships were held this year, and the theatre was full,” Errol said.
“All the A grade bands were waiting on results.”
Errol plays tenor horn with the New Brighton Silver Band, but started with the Ashburton Silver Band. He has family still in Ashburton.
The tenor horn suits him in size and sound.
“I’ve been playing it for 60-odd years, or longer. It’s one you sort of tuck under your arm or put your arm around it, like giving your wife a cuddle,” he said.
‘‘It creates some of the harmony … a more mellow (sound).”
There were also added health benefits of playing a brass instrument.
‘‘When I was a kid I used to get a bit of asthma, and I suppose over the years of huffing and puffing and blowing, it all disappeared.”
Errol’s fellow bandmate, Grant Newby, compiled Errol’s history in Mouthpiece, the official journal of the association.
It states Errol started his banding life at the age of nine when his father, Tom, returned from war in 1946 and took him to join the Ashburton Silver Band juniors.
Tom, an accomplished Euphonium player, was a member of the 5th Infantry Brigade Band and served through Greece, Crete, Egypt, Sicily and Italy. He took up the job of teaching the junior band.
Soon Errol was promoted to the senior band, where he was given a tenor horn to try.
As an active community band, Ashburton Silver Band took part in provincial and national levels contests and then at age 18, Errol completed his compulsory military training (CMT).
His intake of 700 young men was enough to provide both a brass band and a pipe band.
In 1963, work commitments saw Errol and wife Margaret (nee Millar) move with their family from Ashburton to Christchurch.
They settled in Wainoni, and shortly after, a carolling band came into the street.
When musical director Geoff Butler heard Errol was an accomplished horn player, he was instantly enrolled as a member of the New Brighton Silver Band.
For 80 years, banding has been a part of Errol’s life. He is still a very active player with New Brighton and took his place in the horn section at this year’s national contest.
He has also been an integral part of the band’s management; served as treasurer for 17 years, president for seven years, and as an active committee member.
He is also a trustee and patron.
