DOMINION BAND CONTEST

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25128, 8 March 1947, Page 2

DOMINION BAND CONTEST

SUCCESS OF ENTRIES FROM CANTERBURY " The Press ” Special Service WANGANUI, March 7. City of Christchurch took third place in the B grade section at the Dominion band contest by virtue of its outstanding showing in the quickstep, which indicated that the band is nearing A grade standard. However, the test selection playing was a trifle disappointing, and the band in the aggregate was well behind the two leaders. St. Andrew’s College likewise failed in the selection, with the result that, although placed fourth in the quickstep. on the aggregate it finished tenth. Ashburton County proved the better all-rounder, its sixth placing in the quickstep end seventh in the selection earning points sufficient to place it fourth equal in the aggregate. Canterbury Caledonian nlayed really well in the selection, vieing with Tauranga for third place; but points dropped in the quickstep made it impossible for the band to get better than seventh in the aggregate. Sixteen-year-old John Musgrove (St. Andrews), deputising for his elder brother, showed great promise in the B grade staff swinging, being placed third. City of Christchurch marched well and on military points in the quickstep. the band was second. Music in both the quickstep and selection lacked rich tone. Novel but attractive settings were used in the selection. The slow march was taken too literally. St. Andrews had excellent drums, but the bass was inclined to stand out. The drones were indistinct. Canterbury played its selection brightly, but the drums were too militant. Ashburton was an improved band, with a pleasing drum section.