Wellington Conductor Returns for Home Concert
Wellington man, Lieutenant Commander (LTCDR) Owen Clarke, will lead the Royal New Zealand Navy Band in a one off concert
at Old St Paul’s at 7.00pm, Saturday 27 September.
A long time resident of Wellington, most recently of Ngaio, LTCDR Clarke moved to Auckland to become the Director of
Music of the Navy Band in October 2012. He has invigorated the Navy Band and will produce a varied and entertaining
concert at Old St Paul’s.
LTCDR Clarke has been in the NZ Defence Force for 15 years. He moved to Auckland to lead the Navy Band after a stint as
Director of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band. During his career, he has experienced and participated in major events
and ceremonial occasions in New Zealand and overseas, including leading the New Zealand and Australian Defence Force
bands several times at Gallipoli on ANZAC Day, most recently in 2014. He also spent time in Timor Leste founding a
military band at the request of the Timor Government and military.
Originally from Dunedin, LTCDR Clarke moved to Wellington to study trombone and conducting at Victoria University. He
has a long association with youth music in the city, having conducted the Wellington Youth Orchestra, Wellington
Secondary Schools Band, and the NZ Secondary School Orchestra. LTCDR Clarke has also presented and conducted education
concerts by the NZSO and Orchestra Wellington.
LTCDR Clarke is delighted to bring the Navy Band to Wellington. “I hope to see many colleagues and friends at the
concert, and am proud to show Wellington what the Navy Band can do.”
The Royal New Zealand Navy Band is made up of some of the country’s best wind, brass and percussion players and is one
of the principal military bands in New Zealand.
Royal NZ Navy Band Concert, Saturday 27 September 7.00pm, Old St Paul’s
Tickets– $15 Adults, $5 Children/Students. Door sales only.
ENDS