It all began in 1964 when the NZ Army was reorganised. New conditions of service meant that some of the bandsmen of the Canterbury Regiment could not carry on because of age, health or other issues. Rather than leave behind the musicianship and camaraderie that they had enjoyed, a group of them formed a new civilian band, still under the baton of their former Musical Director, Dafyd Williams.

The group planned to equip itself with full-dress scarlet uniforms and instruments as previously but with the addition of reed instruments. In the end they decided on a modern style uniform with scarlet tunic and navy trousers with a scarlet stripe. Right from the start the band had been playing in low pitch and with the view of having at least six clarinets and one or two saxophones. The use of reed instruments made the band unique in the South Island and was one of only five such bands in New Zealand. The addition of reeds gave the band a softer sound and also enabled it to play music written for American marching bands. The group was supported by a large number of associate members - friends, family and other supporters and local dignitaries - who assisted the band with fundraising and social activities. By the end of the first year there were 45 active (playing) members and 66 non-playing (associate) members.

The group decided to call itself the Christchurch Garrison Band (Inc) after the original Garrison Band of the First Battalion of 1860 and became registered under that name on the 7th April 1965. The new Band retained its links with the military, its principal aim being to provide music and entertainment for ex-service and charitable organizations. As the band included reed instruments, it was not eligible to be classified as a brass band and so could not join the Brass Band Association. Whenever the band attended ‘away’ events, it was classified as a ‘guest band’. The band still street-marched and performed dance evenings for the general public.

Issues related to selecting and acquiring uniforms and instruments preoccupied members at the start. The band had begun by using many borrowed instruments so in August 1965 quotes were sought for new or for the conversion of existing instruments to low pitch. The result was that in 1966 twenty-four brass instruments and six drums were imported from U.K. Debentures (loans from band members) were used to pay for many of the new instruments with the money being paid back as funds became available.

The desire for suitable uniforms and their own instruments led to huge fundraising efforts which involved all members - playing and non-playing. The list of fund-raising activities is extensive and innovative! - bottle drives; a weekly office-cleaning contract with all members taking their turn; pallet-making (by tender) using the factory and equipment of a band member (Joe Srzich); day-long performances at (horse) race meetings; newspaper collections; raffles; housie and cake stalls.

For the next 10 years, in addition to its frequent performances and attendances at civic and military events, the Band was seriously committed to these fundraising activities. It wasn’t all work though as the records indicate that there were regular dances and social evenings for all members.

In 1967 two women joined the band as active (playing) members on clarinet and by the end of 1969 the reed section had 12 players.

In this period, the band was a marching band. The band played at Anzac parades for the RSA each year and marched in the Hays Christmas parade every December until 1986. The band rehearsed for a couple of hours in a supermarket carpark for a few Sundays leading up to the parade!