Nelson City Brass spreads festive cheer

MARTIN DE RUYTER/ The Nelson Mail

FESTIVE SOUNDS: Nelson City Brass members play Christmas carols from the back of a Nelmac truck in The Wood.

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The Nelson City Brass is providing a welcome alternative for residents sick of being disturbed by boy racers and their hi-tech sound systems.

The group is spending three nights a week travelling around the streets of Nelson, Stoke and Richmond, playing Christmas carols from the back of a loaned Nelmac truck.

Vice-president David Todd said brass bands had been playing festive tunes for years, but he was not sure how the tradition of playing it from the back of a truck started.

After a break of a couple of years, Nelson City Brass had resumed travelling by truck again this year to bring music to the residential streets of Nelson, and help raise funds to send the senior and intermediate academy sections to a competition in Dunedin next year.

Mr Todd said they had received a positive reaction, with many people coming out on to the street to hear them play. "They really enjoy it, really appreciate it. It just adds that little bit to Christmas to have the Christmas carols."

He also said it was an enjoyable way for the group members to share their talents, even if with up to 15 people playing it could be a bit of a squeeze.

The group did not play while moving.

Rather, the truck would stop at the start of the street to allow them to play, then move further up the street after they had knocked out a couple of numbers. "It's very enjoyable to see the kids on the side of the street, parents, all people coming out, and just enjoying the atmosphere of Christmas," Mr Todd said.

The band would be playing in the Aldinga Ave area today and the William, Hill and Queen Sts areas of Richmond tomorrow. Next week it will play in Dodson Valley on Monday, the Isel Park area on Tuesday and King St through to Wensley Rd in Richmond on Wednesday.

- © Fairfax NZ News