The massed bands played the march Victoria for Feilding Brass drum major Stephen Lawton at his funeral service on 17 February 2024 in Palmerston North.
A man with pure heart and passion for everything he did, and for all who knew him, he will be sorely missed.
Steve has been laid to rest.
On behalf of the band, may you rest in peace. At ease.
On Saturday 10th February 2024, Steve Lawton died peacefully at Arohanui Hospice in Palmerston North. Aged 64.
Dearly loved husband of Michelle. Dearly loved Dad of Daniel, Tania, Jennifer, and Janine. Much loved Poppa to Zara, Taylor, Elizabeth, Samantha, Michael, and Addy. Loved son of Graham and the late Shirley, and brother to Christopher, Kathy, Michael, and Cherie. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Manawatu Cancer Society at cancer.org.nz.
Steve has been in the band for many years, as kit player, percussionist, drum major, band manager, band president and an all round good bloke who would do anything for anyone. He will be dearly missed..
On behalf of the committee and band members, we would like to send our most sincere condolences to the Lawton family.
Rest in peace my friend, you will not be forgotten.
A service for Stephen will be held in the Palmerston North Cosmopolitan Club, 22 Linton Street, Palmerston North, on Saturday 17th February 2024, at 2pm.
Stephen’s wishes were for you all to wear bright colours.
In conjunction with Music Festivals and Events NZ, Feilding brass will commence the days’ live performances in both Marton and Feilding.
Saturday 7 October – Village Green Marton – Commencing at 11am
Sunday 8 October – Manchester Square Feilding – Commencing at 11am
Other groups performing include No Regrets; Uprising; Please Do Not Touch
This is a free community event. There will be a children’s bouncy castle and sausage sizzle
Today as part of NZ May Music Month, Feilding Brass performed in Manchester Square, Feilding under new Musical Director Iraja Max Haas da Silva (Max).
Max took over from Carissa just after Anzac Day 2023, and is proudly leading the band as we continue sharing our music with our community and beyond.
The band performed for about an hour as the opening act for Feildings May Music Month with pieces that included solos from our flugel, trombone and tenor horn players.
Compered by Carissa, the band pieces from Pinball Wizard, Fields of Gold to the more traditional brass band march Brass Royal.
The band looks forward to continuing its presence in the community and to entertain us all under Max. Welcome to the band.
Four Live Bands will Perform at Manchester Square for a Day of Free, Community Music – NZ’s May Music Month – Feilding
Get ready for an unforgettable day of live music at the NZ’s May Music Month, taking place on Sunday 28th May 2023 in Manchester Square from 11am to 4pm. This is a free community event part New Zealand’s May Music Month Celebration with a spectacular line up!
11am: The opening act of the day will be performed by Feilding Brass, a band with a remarkable 130-year history of serving the community. Recently, a new musical director named Iraja Max Haas da Silva (Max) has joined the band and will lead the performance. The band will play a mix of upbeat, popular music and traditional brass numbers.
See you there.
Feilding Brass Press Release:
New Musical Director Appointment for Feilding Brass
Feilding Brass has a history of over 130 years continuous presence in the community. For the first time in the collective memory of its present members, a new musical director has been appointed from outside its membership for many years, following a nationwide search.
On April 26th, Iraja Max Haas da Silva (Max) was welcomed to the podium after joining the band for its Anzac parades a day earlier. Originally from Brazil, Max and family have transferred to Feilding from Queenstown where he has worked as a music teacher and trumpeter in the local jazz orchestra.
Max grew up in a musical family, with his father being the leader of a military band. With over 20 years’ experience teaching brass a percussion Max has conducted and performed in a wide variety of music settings including Big Band Jazz, Marching Band and church worship bands.
The outgoing musical director, Carissa Davies has stepped down after 5 years leading the band (including through the Covid lockdowns) and is continuing as a playing member of the band. She remains active on the management committee.
Feilding Brass meet for weekly rehearsals on a Wednesday evening. After years of disruption due to Covid, the band is again enjoying and looking for opportunities to reconnect with the local community. Recently the band participated in 6 Anzac commemorations in the district; 4 Christmas parades and the community carols. In September the band will represent this district at the Central Districts Brass Band Contest.
Currently preparations are under way for the bands first performance under Max’s leadership on 28th May. Weather permitting the band will be playing from 11am in the square opposite the Feilding Cenotaph. The music repertoire will continue the Feilding Brass tradition of playing upbeat, popular music as well as more traditional brass numbers.
Max has noted, “Feilding Brass has a very good sound, but we are a little short on players. I intend to work to fill the vacancies that are still open (mainly the rhythm section) as well as offering technical support to everyone. With our committee, I’m another hand wanting to help and certainly this is a great time for us to welcome new members.“
Both the senior band and the training band have vacancies and offer opportunity to develop music skills and engage in a lifetime of music making. Connect with Feilding Brass via our Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/FeildingBrassBand/
Feilding Dawn Parade
25th of April each year sees Feilding Brass play at 3 Anzac Day services, Feilding, Sanson and Ashhurst. It is our chance to pay our respects to the fallen soldiers of Gallipoli and for defence personnel who still do their bit for our country serving in various parts of the world.
Sanson Service
Dan Griffith playing The Last Post in Ashhurst
The rain stayed away which is always a good thing, but it was a tad nippy this morning in Feilding at 6am and Sanson at 9am which gave us all cold fingers, but slowly warmed up by the afternoon in Ashhurst.
Ashhurst Civic Service
One difference in todays proceedings, was that cornet player Elizabeth Rance took the reigns and lead the band down the street in all 3 parades as Drum Major, while our usual man with the big stick, Stephen Lawton played cornet on the marches. Well, when I say played, I mean held the cornet and marched with vigour.
Well done Elizabeth.
We Will Remember Them.
March, saw Feilding Brass perform at Brass In The park in Levin, hosted by Levin & Districts Brass and luckily the weather played its part too.
The band played for around an hour and pieces included:
The band looks forward to next year and entertaining the crowd once more.
Today saw Feilding Brass perform at the Feilding Library Family Fun Day 2023, held at Kowhai Park in Feilding.
Lead by Catherine Duxfield, the band played a 30 min segment of light entertaining music to a huge crowd, featuring A Grand Day Out, Another Day in Paradise, Despacito, Fields of Gold, Video Killed the Radio Star, One Moment in Time, Blackadder’s March and Friend Like Me.
The band looks forward to playing here again next year.
Coming up on the 26th March 2023, the band will be performing at Brass in The Park at the Levin Adventure Playground. Amongst 3 other bands, Feilding Brass will perform for an hour starting around 2pm. See you there.
Feilding Brass 