Tutors
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Managing Director and Tutor
Born in Ashburton, Byron ‘Buzz’ Newton earned his sweet nickname while working in the family honey business. Initially drawn to the piano, Buzz later took up the baritone horn in the Ashburton Silver Brass Band. After accidentally damaging his baritone trying to remove the mouthpiece by using an Encyclopaedia as a hammer, he received a euphonium as a replacement from his teacher.
Byron 'Buzz' Newton LTCL, FTCL, BMUS, PGDIP, MA, ARWCMD
Buzz holds degrees from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand School of Music, and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, achieving a flawless 100% in his Master's recital.
His diverse career includes stints with the Tredegar Town Band, Wellington Brass Band, and over a decade in the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band. Notably, he participated in WWI commemorations in Belgium, marking New Zealand's involvement in the Battle of Messines. Buzz has performed with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Currently, he serves as the Principal Tuba of Orchestra Wellington.
Committed to music education, Buzz has been an Artist Teacher at the New Zealand School of Music since 2013. In 2016, he founded the Buzzing Brass Academy, fostering musical talent through a full-size brass band and a "Beeginner" group.
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Tutor
Hailing from the depths of the South Island, Reuben Brown is in his Honours year of study pursuing his passions for orchestral conducting and euphonium performance under the tutelage of Associate Professor Martin Riseley and euphonium artist Byron ‘Buzz’ Newton, at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music.
Reuben Brown
Beginning in a strong brass banding community, Reuben has earned his way up the ranks with his playing and conducting, landing a euphonium seat with New Zealand’s premiere band, Wellington Brass Band, and has recently been appointed its Band Coordinator and its Assistant Musical Director under David Bremner. Reuben has also been a member of the National Youth Brass Band since summer 2020 with both performance and administrative duties. Reuben has taken on conducting roles with various orchestras, choirs, and bands, and is now directing items with many of the Te Kōkī ensembles, such as the brass ensemble, string ensemble, and the full orchestra, alongside regularly assisting with the youth brass academy, Buzzing Brass.
Photo: Massey Digital