David Gallaher
David Gallaher, of Palmerston North, received the Insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to music. Mr Gallaher has been involved in brass and concert bands, jazz bands and orchestras throughout the South Island for more than 30 years. He conducted the Woolston Brass Band for 10 years and under his leadership it won the New Zealand Championships five times and performed extensively overseas. He was instrumental in establishing brass tuition for beginners at the Woolston Brass Band, which led to the formation of two Junior Bands. In 2004 he established a performance course for brass instruments at Canterbury University. From 2003 to 2005 he was Music Director of the National Band of New Zealand and was recently appointed conductor of the 2010 New Zealand Secondary Schools Orchestra.. He adjudicates at music festivals in New Zealand and Australia.