CORRESPONDENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4, 5 January 1903, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

AUCKLAND BANDS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —If anything further was needed to emphasise the Jow condition of brass band music in our city it is supplied in the news from your Wellington correspondent of this date, where he tells us that the projected representative New Zealand baud will be composed entirely of Southern players, no performing member of an Auckland band having ventured to apply for a position in its ranks. In noticing my remarks of the 30th ult. on the above subject, your correspondent, Mr Eugene Hulse, has shown that my suggestion had been anticipated, but it is to be hoped the Society of Professional Musicians will not let the matter drop. Mr H. tells us some of the causes of the poor performances we have to listen to, but the general public is not so much interested in methods as *n results, and the results at the present time, such as have provoked what is described as "the roughest criticism a band could be subjected to." Whether or not such results are arrived at by "want of balance and of colouring" does not mend matters. Butjudging by the contribution of "one of the despised blowhards" the balance is of a financial order, a question of five or six shillings a day, and if our Taranaki critic is correct the colouring may be expected to be found in the lurid comments of the listeners. If Mr BE. doubts the matter of the groans referred to, let him remember there is such a thing as groaning in spirit, and that there are feelings which cannot be adequately expressed in words, especially in a mixed audience. —I am, etc., MOUTHPIECE.