Kiwi search for L-D’s intensifies with Auckland & District joining the hunt

The pursuit of leading-drummers in New Zealand, with the Grade 1 Auckland & District competing with rivals ILT City of Invercargill for recruiting talent to run the back-end of the band. Auckland & District has found itself looking for a new lead-tip following the retirement of Glenn Miller after 10 years in the role.

“The opportunity to succeed Glenn has opened up and the band is now seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates from around the world with a view to relocating to Auckland,” said Pipe-Major Ben McLaughlin.

McLaughlin himself is new to the band, having joined Auckland this year after joining Auckland & District following a sting with the Western Australia Police Pipe Band in Perth, Australia, and work with the Grade 1 Manawatu Scottish, also a New Zealand Grade 1 band.

According to the band, assistance will be provided for those qualified who wish to immigrate to New Zealand, stressing that the new L-D will “be required to live in Auckland . . . where there are significant employment opportunities,” with the band members “employed in a wide range of industries which will be of some benefit in settling a suitable candidate.”

Founded in 1929, Auckland & District is one of the world’s more established bands, winning the New Zealand National Championships 12 times, most recently in 2009 and 2010 under Pipe-Major Martin Frewen, who recently joined Invercargill as Pipe-Sergeant under Pipe-Major Ali MacKenzie. Auckland & District last competed at the World Pipe Band Championships in 2010, when it qualified for the Grade 1 Final and finished fourteenth overall.

The band stressed that “Auckland offers a congenial lifestyle with enviable climate, social and scenic attractions.” Interested drummers are invited to contact McLaughlin by email before June 30th.