Band Conductors :

Tramways/Onslow Band   (1905 - 1998)

 The ‘Conductors’ portion of this history only goes back to 1920 at this stage because we have not been able to find any information prior to 1920 as yet.

 Like many bands that were formed about 100 years ago the Tramways/Onslow Band has had many conductors. A full list of conductors appointed from 1920 - 1998 has been compiled (showing the appropriate year span as accurately as possible) together with an alphabetical list of all known Deputy/Casual/Guest Conductors over the same period.   

To see a full list of all the conductors over the years please click here :  List of Conductors

However, like many bands, this band has had some conductors whose contribution to the life and progress of the band stand out as being particularly significant.     On this page we have chosen to profile five of these: Thomas Goodall, Ernest Franklin, Norman Goffin, Don Bly and Peter Zwartz.

Thomas Goodall     1921 – 1929

We have very little information about this person at this stage. However as his photograph suggests he won a great number of medals and was clearly a very successful soloist.

 Many years ago the `Dominion’ newspaper from Wellington featured an article which took a retrospective look at brass bands in Wellington . The writer was George Kaye, an employee of the Dominion and for many years conductor of the Lower Hutt Municipal Band. In this article George particularly mentions Tom Goodall’s performances in the 1930’s. Quote “and of course there were the virtuoso performances of champion cornetist Tom Goodall triple-tonguing his way with breathtaking brilliance through cornet solos”.

 Being the key conductor of the band over a period of eight years he must have had the respect and the backing of the band members over this time. However it is also clear from band records that Bandmaster Stevenson played a major role over the eight-year tenure of Thomas Goodall.

 I hope to find out more from the Alexander Turnbull Library to complete this profile.

Ernest Franklin      1930–1945 and 1948–1953

 Ernest Franklin was born in Brunner (West Coast). He began playing at age seven. At seventeen years of age he was Bandmaster of the Brunner Band an appointment he was naturally proud of. 

 He conducted the Tramways Band for 20 years (over two periods) from 1930 to 1945 and again from 1948 to 1953. Probably his greatest achievement in this time would be the winning of the National `B’ Grade Championship in Nelson in February 1937. The band had undergone a major reorganisation only three months prior to this contest resulting in all new players with the exception of four (the latter having played for the band for about fifteen years). With the exception of these four players it was a new band and it speaks volumes for conductor Ernest Franklin that he was able to work the band up to a winning standard so quickly.

 Before shifting to Wellington he had success with the Dunedin Artillery and Kaikorai Bands. He had considerable success at contests and gained many 1st, 2nd and 3rd placings with the Dunedin bands and The Tramways Band in both `A’ and `B ‘grade and ended his conducting career by winning the `C’ grade championship in 1953.

 Those who knew him will recall he was a serious and meticulous man. However he was also very forward thinking as an article in `The Tramways Journal’ dated March 1937 illustrates. For example he favoured establishing more “juvenile” bands believing that every town throughout the country should have a band.  He also believed that quote “One hour per week should be devoted at all State schools to the teaching of the rudiments of music. Every pupil leaving school should be a proficient reader of music. There could be nothing very wrong with a nation that can read and understand music; it would serve to start many a talented person on a successful music career. Furthermore, a greater appreciation of music, band or other, would doubtless result from a knowledge of the rudiments of the art”.

 Norman Goffin QSO    1953–1960 and 1960–1983

Norman started playing the cornet at age seven in the Foxton Salvation Army Band. By the age of fifteen he was conducting. Before settling in Christchurch he featured as a soloist and played for a number of Salvation Army bands around the country. He conducted the Christchurch Citadel Band for eight years prior to sailing with the 2NZEF in 1940 as deputy conductor of 20th Battalion Band, and later the 4th Brigade Band, in association with his younger brother Dean, later to become Salvation Army Commissioner Sir Dean Goffin.

 Norm became a prominent member of the Woolston Band (Life Member). By the time he left the Woolston Band he had had great success as a cornet soloist and duettist.

 In 1953 he was transferred to Wellington with the Shell Company. Also in that year he was chosen to tour with the 1953 National Band of New Zealand. It was when this triumphant band returned home later that Norm took over the Tramways Band which had just won the `C’ Grade Title. Regular radio broadcasts and regular contesting saw the band improve at a rapid pace under his musical direction. After five second places in the `B’ Grade the band finally won the `B’ Grade in 1965. The band went on to win the `A’ Grade title in 1969 and 1981. As well as these National titles the band won the Provincial Title most years that Norm conducted the band.

 During the period Norm was conducting the band he was for a time a member of the Wellington Regional Orchestra. He was also on the `Call List’ for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as a trumpet player. He also found time to tour and play in the 1962 National Band and was deputy conductor on the 1974 National Band’s tour to the United States and Canada . In 1970 and 1971 he conducted New Zealand ’s first National Youth Bands, something he really enjoyed.

 Norm was also a very keen singer being in a church choir for many years. Following his retirement as conductor of the band he sang bass with the acclaimed Orpheus Choir for nine years.  He maintained his membership (all members being subject to regular re-auditioning) until 1992 when in his eighty- first year.

 Norm was a tireless worker for the training of young musicians for brass bands. He was always very encouraging and supportive of all amateur musicians and gave generously of his time.

 In 1980 after seventy years as a player, conductor and administrator he was awarded the Queens Service Order for services to the brass band movement.  An award he richly deserved.

 Probably more than any other conductor Norm’s tenure as conductor over a thirty year period has had the greatest impact on the band. Under his direction the band was held in high regard both locally and nationally. He was always a popular conductor and, with his wide musical experience, had the respect of all players over this successful period.

Donald Bly      1983-1986 and 1995-1996

Don was born and educated in Wellington . He learnt to play in the Tramways Junior Band which was formed in 1947. It soon became apparent that Don was taking his music very seriously and was gaining respect for his musical ability. He changed, quite early on in his playing days, from cornet to soprano and it was common to see him playing for several different bands at most contests.

 He enhanced his reputation by being the Champion Soprano Cornet player of New Zealand  five times. Don was probably the most successful soloist during the Onslow era. He was a member of four National Bands of New Zealand: in 1965,1974, 1976 and 1978.

 Don was appointed conductor of the band when Norm Goffin retired. He was a meticulous trainer of the band and as a result of his attention to detail he had some conducting success at Provincial and National contests and always had the band playing to a high standard. Since retiring from conducting Don has been in demand as a judge for solo and band events on a regular basis which is testament to his musical knowledge and ability.

Peter Zwartz        1986-1992

Peter studied music at the Royal Academy of Music in London . When he took over the conductorship of the band he had had limited  brass band conducting experience with Invercargill Band.  He was an experienced and respected conductor in the New Zealand orchestral world. Seemingly impressed with the technique, sound and versatility of a brass band he arranged a wide range of music for the band to play. These arrangements brought a new musical dimension to the band. Peter showed a lot of flair and musicianship in his conducting. Although he preferred concert work to band contests he did have some success at contesting most notably gaining  2^nd overall in 1988 at the National Championships in Christchurch and second in both the Hymn and Test Selection at Dunedin in 1990 plus several Provincial Titles.

Peter also conducted the band in several half hour radio programmes during his tenure. As well as conducting he compered these programmes. He did an excellent job of researching the music and presented it so well that he was engaged by Radio New Zealand to compere some programmes by other bands around the country.