Music in New Zealand

Single 30c 'Classical Music' gummed stamp.

It is a shared experience - the composer puts his thoughts on paper, the musicians bring them to life, the conductor interprets and controls, and the listeners and musicians alike take delight in the realisation of a composer's thoughts and moods. Symphony orchestras are made up of selected groups of instruments, each with their own role to play in the overall performance of the music. There are the strings featuring violins, violas, cellos and double basses all bowed, and the harp; the woodwind featuring flutes, clarinets, piccolos, oboes and bassoons; brass featuring horns, trumpets, trombones and tubas; and percussion featuring xylophone, castanets, triangles, tambourines, drums and cymbals. New Zealand's National Symphony Orchestra was officially launched on 24 October 1946 and gave its first concert on 6 March 1947.

Single 60c 'Brass Band Music' gummed stamp.

It began in England, and is generally thought to have developed from a sudden flourishing of wind bands somewhere between 1800 and 1825. Gradually various groups came together in ever increasing numbers, until band music reached its maturity at the end of the 19th century, composed largely of members of the working and artisan classes. The first band, the regimental band of the 58th Regiment, arrived in New Zealand in 1845. As the band movement grew, so did competitiveness, and contesting developed. They were an integral part of civic occasions, concerts and displays. At the outbreak of war many bandsmen offered their services, some bands volunteering for service as a complete unit. Today almost every city and town have their own brass bands. The National Band of New Zealand has its members selected from the cream of the country's amateur bandspeople, and has won may prestigious titles.

Single 80c 'Highland Pipe Band Music' gummed stamp.

It was recorded in 'Cook's Discovery of New Zealand' that when he was having trouble communicating with the native inhabitants of the newly discovered land, he asked a crewmen to play the bagpipes in the hope the music would have an affect on the local people - it did. Almost magically they came out to find the source of the strange new sound. In the 1840s, Scottish settlers quickly rebuilt the traditions of their homeland and formed into small groups to play together as bands. The Caledonian Societies were formed to hold social events and encourage sports meetings based on the traditional highland gatherings of Scotland. Today, the groups are part of the Highland Pipe Bands Association of New Zealand and some have represented New Zealand in various championships and received invitations to appear at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Single $1.00 'Country Music' gummed stamp.

The western movies were accompanied by 'country' music and when this caught on it became popular as an outlet for expressing feelings and telling stories. Especially in the days of the Depression, when money was short and times were hard, music became a form of comfort and communication. Every area of New Zealand had its own artist, as well-known and popular locally as the many international recording stars. As technology progressed, country music became more widespread and more popular. Today, New Zealand has over 100 amateur country music clubs which recognise the need to encourage young musicians and singers and give them the opportunity to succeed in the business.