The sound of our community
Rolleston Brass is a community brass band rooted in Rolleston and the wider Selwyn district. We rehearse together each week, perform throughout the year, and help new musicians discover the joy of playing brass.
Who we are
Rolleston Brass is a volunteer community band that represents Rolleston and the Selwyn district in Canterbury, New Zealand. We bring together players of different ages, backgrounds and experience levels — from students and academy learners through to seasoned brass musicians — united by a love of making music together.
As a community group we perform at local concerts, seasonal celebrations and civic occasions, and we take pride in being a welcoming, supportive musical home for our region. Come along to a concert, learn an instrument through our academy, or — if you're an experienced player — enquire about joining us on stage.
The band has competed as a C-grade brass band and has recently stepped up to B-grade. Rolleston Brass is affiliated with the Brass Band Association of New Zealand.
A growing musical tradition
Rolleston Brass has been part of the local music scene for many years, starting out as the Selwyn district youth band before pivoting to a community band in 2020. The band has grown in strength and in number over the years, progressing from D-grade to C-grade, and in 2026 to B-grade.
That rapid rise through the grades has been built on a run of contest successes. Highlights include: winning our first contest, the D grade at the Canterbury Provincial Contest; taking the own-choice selection at the 2024 National Championships; claiming the C grade at the 2025 Canterbury Provincial Contest with first place in every category; placing second in the C grade at the 2025 National Championships; and, in 2026, being crowned C grade champions with a clean sweep at the National Championships in Wellington. The band’s drum major, Brian Eckersley, has also been named a multiple-time C grade Champion Drum Major.
Beyond the contest stage, Rolleston Brass is a familiar part of Selwyn life — from Anzac Day, concerts and community festivals to Christmas parades and carolling across the district each December.
Raynor Martin
Rolleston Brass is led by Musical Director Raynor Martin, who brings a lifelong involvement in brass banding to the podium. Raynor began his banding journey in 1996 with New Plymouth Brass, working his way up from the learner band to the senior band — banding runs in the family, with his mother, father and sister all playing for Rolleston Brass.
He took up the baton with Rolleston Brass soon after the band's establishment in 2020, and the band has gone from strength to strength under his direction, with strong results at both regional and national level. Looking ahead, he's focused on establishing Rolleston Brass in the B grade and building a strong junior programme to keep developing players across Selwyn.
Proudly part of Selwyn life
Music is at its best when it's shared. We're a regular, friendly presence at events across Rolleston and the wider district.
Civic occasions
We play at commemorations such as ANZAC Day services, helping our community mark moments that matter.
Community concerts
From library performances to seasonal concerts, we bring live brass music to local audiences throughout the year.
Youth & schools
Through our academy and local partnerships, we help young people in Selwyn take their first steps in brass music.
Get involved
New to brass? Our academy welcomes learners of all ages. Experienced players are warmly invited to enquire about playing with the band.