The members of the Rockhampton City Brass Band wish to advise the banding community of the passing of Keith Munns.
Keith passed away early Saturday morning 23rd February, 2008 after a short illness.
Keith was well known to bands throughout the country as a player, adjudicator and conductor.
He had competed with a number of A Grade bands, including Townsville Citizens, South Brisbane Federal, Brisbane Excelsior, Toowoomba Municipal, Maryborough Federal and Rockhampton City. He studied conducting and adjudication under the late J. J. Kelly.
He was renowned as a soloist on his chosen instrument, the flugel.
His achievements on this instrument included:
- Queensland Champion Flugel 1950, 1951, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1959, 1963, 1964
- Queensland Champion of Champions 1951, 1959
- Australian Champion Flugel 1952, 1953, 1958, 1960, 1965
He also performed as a soloist on various radio programmes throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Keith was the longest serving conductor of the Rockhampton City Band, wielding the baton from 1961 until 1984, and was acting conductor a number of times after that. He was also president of the band for a number of years until recently stepping aside. Although he no longer played in any band, Keith continued playing his flugel for his own enjoyment until very recently. In later years, he was a fixture in the audience at contests all over the country, and was looking forward to attending the forthcoming National Championships in Brisbane.
He was a Life Member of the Rockhampton City Brass Band, and was only the eighth person to be awarded life membership of the Queensland Band Association.
He will be sadly missed by his friends in bands nationwide.
Keith’s funeral and memorial will be held at 10am, Tuesday 26th February at the East Chappel, Rockhampton Crematorium. There will be a wake held at the Rockhampton City Brass Band hall afterwards.
Please contact a family member or the band if you wish to attend so we can ensure there is adequate space.