Fifteen years on from enlisting with the New Zealand Army Band, Staff Sergeant Nicholas Johnson is set to take charge of his first run of concerts in his new position of Bandmaster, starting this week at the Royal Whanganui Opera House.

“It’s a huge responsibility, but one where you get to experience first-hand how talented, receptive and engaged the musicians are,” he says.

Originally from the United Kingdom, Nicholas’ musical journey spans more than four decades as a military musician which has taken him all around the world.

After initially learning the piano for a broad musical introduction he picked up the trombone as an 11-year-old, and never looked back.

“I joined the British Army as a 16-year-old through a junior entry/cadetship. My initial postings were in Germany before being selected to attend the Royal Military School of Music and the three-year Bandmaster course.”

The New Zealand Army Band on stage at the Christchurch Town Hall earlier this year. Photo supplied.

That led to him holding the high-profile positions of Bandmaster in the British Army’s Royal Logistics Corps and later the iconic Welsh Guards.

“Unfortunately my time with the Welsh Guards Band missed many of the major events such as weddings, jubilees, coronations or funerals, however, the annual Trooping the Colour was a highlight, as were the Remembrance Day commemorations at the Cenotaph in Whitehall which are very special events.”

He left the British Army after 24 years of service but despite having the training and qualifications to shift into teaching, he wasn’t ready to give up his sense of adventure.

“I started looking at overseas opportunities, and fortunately for me the New Zealand Army were very open and welcome to me coming across, which I did in 2009.”

Staff Sergeant Johnson conducting the band during a concert in Spain earlier this year. Photo supplied. 

In his 15 years with the band he’s covered plenty of major events, from Edinburgh Military Tattoos to Anzac Day commemorative services at Gallipoli.

Nicholas says no two days in the band were the same with so many different responsibilities depending on their upcoming schedule.

“It could be preparing a marching display, putting together an evening concert repertoire, or small ensemble work to name a few things,” he says.

“We also have administrative responsibilities such as managing our music library, music arranging, electronics and communications – it all enhances the variety of our day-to-day work.”

He’ll have the best seat in the house for their upcoming run on concerts in Whanganui, Carterton and Upper Hutt, where the band will play a repertoire of traditional brass band music, as well as tributes to the golden era of big band swing.

A photo of Staff Sergeant Johnson during his time with the iconic Welsh Guards Band, where he also held the post of Bandmaster. Photo supplied.

When pushed to highlight a particular favourite in the upcoming programme, he says he always enjoyed pieces which gives the band a point of difference.

“These will usually be pieces where we use our fabulous vocalists and rhythm section. If I must give you one, it will be ‘Miss Otis Regrets’, arranged for our three outstanding female vocalists by our in-house arranger Sergeant Riwai Hina.”

Nicholas was appointed Bandmaster earlier this year when Staff Sergeant Phil Johnston stepped down after a decade of cumulative service over two separate stints in the role.