BAND MUSIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LVX, Issue 268, 12 November 1934, Page 3

BAND MUSIC.

PROVINCIAL CONTEST.

DISPLAY AT CARLAW PARK.

RESULTS OF THE TESTS

The Auckland provincial baud contest held at Carlaw Park on Saturday and Sunday provided some excellent performances, which were worthy of larger attendances. The adjudicator was Mr. J. Drew, of Wellington, who was assisted by Mr. Wynne Smith, of Auckland. The contest was held with the aim of fostering band music in the Auckland province. This city undoubtedly leads the other centres of New Zealand in its enthusiasm for juvenile bauds, but there is an apparent lack of opportunity for the members of such organisations to advance beyond their juvenile status. With its large metropolitan urea, Auckland is in an excellent position to have to its credit several senior brass bands of A grade standard. However, unless the patronage of the public rises above the meagre attendances that this contest experienced, there is little hope of this opportunity arising.

The general appearance of the competing bands at yesterday's contest was a credit to their respective executive officers. The musical standard was satisfactory, particularly in the playing of the selections on Saturday evening. All the bands, however, suffered from faulty intonation, and this apparently accounted for the low musical markings given by the judge. All tlio other fundamental laws of brass band playing were carefully adhered to, some of the interpretations being particularly musicianly. An outstanding musical performance was the playing of the Ist Battalion Regiment Band in the B grade. This band treated some of the movements of its choice, "Lortzing," in a manner that would have been a credit to an A grade band. The adjudicator awarded the Li.ind 128 points out of a possible 100, with the next band 11 points behind. In the C rrade the winners, were the Ponsonby Boys' Band. This combination won its fourth quickstep in succession on Saturday and in the selection section of the festival it continued its sequence ot successes by winning, with a margin cf seven points. One of the visiting combinations, Whangarei Citizens, was successful in winning the quickstep competition in the B grade, but its musical standard could not be maintained in the own choice selection. Probably, had the band not chosen such a difficult arrangement of Wagner s "Flying Dutchman," it would have performed more creditably in the evening performance. The Ngaruawahia Band could not do better than gain a second in the C grade quickstep, but it 6hould benefit considerably by its trip. Arrangements for the festival were sphkfactorilv carried out by the executive, under the supervision of Mr. J. Crocker. A better arrangement could have been made in announcing the results in the quickstep event. The placed bauds should be announced first. Results are as follow: — QUICKSTEP. B Grade.—Whangarei Citizens, 160J points lor drill, 10S points for music; total, 268 i, 1; Onehunga Citizens, 151? points for drill. 11l points for music; total. 2609, 2; Ist Battalion, 143 i points for drill, 118 points for music; total, 261J, 3. C Grade.—Ponsonby Boys, 1001 points for drill, 104 for music, total 2701. 1 ; Ngaruawahia, 1401 points for drill. 90 for music, total, 245 J. 2; Auckland City Boys, 142J points for drill. 102 tor music, total 244J, 3; Takapuna Citizens, total 240, 4 ; Auckland Girls' Band, total 2021, 5. The only entry in the D grade was Mount Eden Boys, their points being 1271 for drill, 00 for music, total 217 J. OWN CHOICE TEST SELECTION. B Grade. —Ist Battalion Regimental Band, 128 points, 1; Onehunga Citizens', 117, 2; Whangarei Citizens, 103, 3. C Grade.—Ponsonby Boys, 118 points, 1; City Boys, 111, 2; Takapuna Citizens, 07, 3; Ngaruawahia, 88, 4; Auckland Girls' Band, 80, 5. _ _ D Grade.—Mount Eden Boys, OS, I—the1 —the only competitors. Hymn Test. —Ist Battalion Regiment, 120 points, 1; WJiangarei Citizens, 114, 2 ; ■Onehunga Citizens, 113, 3; Ponsonby Boys, 112 4; Tukapuna Citizens, 105, 5; Auckland Girls, 102, 0; City Boys, 90, 7; Mount Eden Boys, 08, 8. Trios (own choice). —Watcrsiders' Band, 81 i— only competitors. Quartets (own choice). —Ponsonby Boys, 80 points, 1; Auckland Girls, No. I, 75, 2; Auckland Girls, No. 2, 00, 3; Auckland Girls, No. 3, 54, 4. Shields were awarded as follow: — Hawkes Shield, No. 1, for B grade bnnd with highest points aggregate in test selection and quickstep competition, including drill: Ist Battalion Regiment, 3S9J points. Lewis Eadv. Llmited's, Shield, for B grade band highest aggregate points music in test selection and march: Ist Battalion regiment. 240 points. Hawkes Shield, No. 2, for C grade hand : Ponsonby Boys' Hand. Francis Shield, C grade band, for highest aggregate points music In test selection and march : Ponsonby Boys' Band. Lewis Eddy, Llmited's, Shield, for hymn test: Ist Battalion Regiment.