Kaikorai Primary School Band |
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In 1911 and Fife and Drum band was formed at Kaikorai School. This was the second school band in Dunedin. It was trained by Mr J. Matheson -Standard 6 teacher. Uniforms for the band were obtained from school cadets. Mr and Mrs Matheson trained a large choir and Mrs Matheson also gave singing lessons to individual pupils. Bugle and Drums Band - Trained by Mr J. Allen (an ex-pupil) who served in the World War 11 Navy. Mr Lees - school caretaker - followed as trainer. He was N.Z. Champion side drummer for 7 years. The bands led school parades around the block each week and took part in Anzac Parades and other community activities. Ex-pupils fondly remembered these bands, having laughs over many incidents. The information above came from the school 125th Celebration booklet of 1994. Definition of 'Fife': A small high-pitched flute similar to a piccolo; has a shrill tone and is used chiefly to accompany drums in a marching band. At right: Ernie and Ted Bartlett - circa 1917 Wearing Kaikorai School Drum & Fife Band uniforms. Photograph from our family albums. |
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The following photographs were taken prior to about 1945 - I still have to get a better idea of the exact date.
I would also like to know when the band was discontinued. I, like a lot of my school friends, played a bugle in the band in 1946-1947? then I had a break for the two years while I was at Intermediate. I returned to a band when attending King Edward Techincal College 1950-1951 where I played a cornet.  Kaikorai Primary School Band on steps in front of school. Photograph (K150) courtesy of Ken Mowat |