Air Force Band to show versatility
Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Band Director Flight Lieutenant David Gallaher is promising something for everyone during this year’s annual Air Force on Tour concerts.
The band’s popular concerts, which will be held in Nelson, Westport, Greymouth, Methven and Christchurch from 20–25 May, will feature musical styles ranging from Dvorak to Queen and Kenneth Alford to George Gershwin, led by outstanding vocalist Leading Aircraftman Barbara Graham.
Talented piper Flight Sergeant Murray Mansfield will get the feet stomping with some Celtic melodies, while the band’s Drumline are promising dramatic innovation on last year’s electrifying performances.
The 65-member band is made up of New Zealand Defence Force Reservists, many of whom are active in Wellington’s music scene.
Flight Lieutenant Gallaher, who recently conducted the RNZAF Band at his first Anzac Day service in Wellington, is looking forward to performing in the South Island.
“It’s great to be travelling with such a talented band. I couldn’t think of a better thing to be doing,” he said.
Flight Lieutenant Gallaher, who started his working life as a primary school teacher in Invercargill, enjoyed a distinguished music career in Christchurch, which included touring Europe with the National Band of New Zealand in 2005.
He was inducted as a Member into the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2010 for services to music.
After a number of years teaching music in Australia he couldn’t resist the chance to move his family back to New Zealand to start a new era leading the RNZAF Band, one of only two professional symphonic bands in New Zealand. He was appointed Director of Music of the Band in 2018.
“The opportunity to conduct the best symphonic band in New Zealand was too tempting to pass up,” he said.
A highlight so far was performing at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington at last year’s annual Air Force in Concert.
“Performing in an incredible venue at near capacity was a great way to start my time with the band and I’m looking forward to my first full tour,” he said.
“The band is full of brilliant musicians, with skills across orchestral, band, jazz and contemporary genres, who aspire to perform at the highest levels of musicianship.”
When not busy working with the band, Flight Lieutenant Gallaher enjoys spending time with his wife, as well as conducting and performing with other groups around Wellington.
The Air Force Band on Tour:
Nelson: Theatre Royal, 7pm Monday, 20 May. Tickets from Ticket Direct.
Westport: NBS Theatre, 7pm Tuesday, 21 May. Tickets from Ticket Direct.
Greymouth: Regent Theatre, 7pm Wednesday, 22 May. Tickets from regentgreymouth.co.nz
Methven: Mt Hutt Memorial Theatre, 7pm Friday, 24 May. Tickets from Methven iSite.
Christchurch: Air Force Museum, 7pm Saturday, 25 May, 7pm. Tickets from airforcemuseum.co.nz.
