Les Green achieved sainthood when he joined St Kilda Brass as a tenor Horn player in the mid-1950s and over the past 65 years has been a corner stone of the band and the New Zealand Brass Band movement. Les has been Committee member, secretary, treasurer and president of St Kilda, served as president of OSBBA, served on national Contest Committees, the National Executive and as treasurer of BBANZ. Les could play a bit as well. He was solo horn in St Kilda’s golden era in the 1960s, a prominent national soloist and a member of the 1965, 76, 80, and 89 National Bands.
Les popped his tenor horn in its case for the last time quite recently. He and Maureen have moved to Christchurch to be close to family. A lifelong Dunedinite, Les has taken his blue and yellow Otago kit with him!
Being awarded life membership of the Band in the mid-1970s didn’t slow Les down and he continued to contribute in a multitude of ways. The Band has decided to honour Les’ lifetime in the movement with establishment of the Les Green Brass and Percussion Scholarship.
The Scholarship will be awarded on an annual basis to a Brass or Percussion player from beyond Dunedin who is commencing study at the University of Otago or Otago Polytechnic. Its value is $1500.00. St Kilda has been the musical home of many students over the years while they have been gaining qualifications and Les will be remembered by most because of the interest he took in their progress and wellbeing. The selection process will involve a recorded audition. Details of the audition requirements will be forwarded to those who email an expression of interest to chairman@stkildabrass.org.nz by 15 November 2022 and applications will close on 15 December 2022.
