NATIONAL BAND CONTEST

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27914, 10 March 1956, Page 10

NATIONAL BAND CONTEST

D GRADE SECTION AND SOLOS J. T. SUTTON CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS (New Zealand Press Association) INVERCARGILL, March 9. The Dunedin Ladies’ Band performed consistently to score a win and a second placing in the D grade section of the New Zealand brass bands’ contest today. It won the test selection and was second in the hymn contest. Only three bands entered. The judge (Dr. Denis Wright) commented: “With all the long list of D Grade bands in New Zealand, I am sorry there were not more than three competitors.” But the bands had the satisfaction of knowing that they played a piece of good modern music in the test selection, said Dr. Wright. The Dunedin Ladies’ Eand gained 128 points in the test selection. Foxton Silver 121. and Ralclutha Brass 117. Foxton won the hymn test with 80 points. The Dunedin Ladies' Band <77 points) was second, and Balclutha (72). third. An Invercargill Garrison Band player. J. T. Sutton, today won the champion of champions title. He won the same award at Christchurch in 1954. Playing “Northern Fantasia” (Nordische) on his euphonium. Sutton was awarded 92 points. He won the c uphonium solo a few days ago with two fewer points. In second place, one point behind Sutton, was a cornet player. L. A. Francis (Lower Hutt Municipal Band). He played George Wiegand’s “Sweet Memories.” Two bandsmen tied for third place with 88 points each. They were A. Eriesman (St. Kilda Municipal Band) and W. R. Maloney (Wellington Watersiders). Briesman played the tenor trombone and Maloney the Bb bass. Drum Solos In the contest for solo side drummers. Miss M. A. Phillips (Dunedin I adies’ Band) was placed first with 91 points. D. Venables (Lower Hutt Municipal Band) was second with 89 points, and W. K. Matthews (Derry's Band) third with 85. The bass drum solo title was won by A. F. Currie (Lower Hutt Civic Band) with 90 points. J. F. Mowatt <St. Kilda) was second with 89 points, and E. Green (Lower Hutt Municipal) third with 88. The judge of the drumming was Mr W. J. Swinton.

WINNING BAND PRAISED

It was particularly gratifying that the conductors of the Woolston Brass Band and the 3rd Armoured Regiment Band which won the A and B grade championships respectively at the New Zealand Brass Band championships were both men he had trained -while he was conductor of the Woolston Brass Band, said Mr R. J. Estall yesterday. He said that the Woolston band, which had gained three second placings and no firsts, had won the championship by its' consistently good performances. Yesterday telegrams of congratulation were sent by the Mayor "(Mr R. M. Macfarlane. M.P.) to the conductors of the winning bands on behalf of the City of Christchurch.