JUNIOR BRASS BAND

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28987, 31 August 1959, Page 14

JUNIOR BRASS BAND

First Public Concert

The New Zealand Junior Brass Band made its first public appearance at the St. James’ Theatre on Saturday evening. With 50 members, the band impressed with its precise and compact playing I Last week the band was at Canterbury Agricultural College, ■Lincoln, living in the college and conforming to a fairly tight Schedule of brass band instruction under the auspices of the New Zealand Brass Bands’ Association. There are 43 boys in this combination who come from post-primary schools throughout the country. Twenty-nine boys came from the North Island. Their ages range from 13 to 16. These statistics prove the value of band training in post-primary schools. Christchurch representation m ;the National Junior Band is strong. [Papanui. Linwood. Shirley and i Christchurch Technical College bands have leading players in this combination. The leading cornet soloist is Trevor Bremner, a former pupil of Papanui High School. Five members of the band come from Palmerston North High School. The band music in this school must be of an exceptionaljy high standard to have strong representation in a national band for the 50 boys in the band come from 27 towns and 24 high schools

Under the conductorship of Mr W L Francis, the principal of the band school, Saturday’s!" performance included an arrangement of Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony This was very well played. There have been less interesting performances of this work by A Grade bands.

Neat playing was the keynote of the wide variety of items presented The sweet tone oi the cornets was arresting. A septet by Dr Denis Wright was beautifully played by the principal instrumentalists from each section of the band. Occasionally the general playing lacked fire and vision. The interpretations were orthodox and Mr Francis had the boys under fine control although some of his beating was mt in accordance with the system taught at Kneller Hall, London, the Mecca of British band training. The same players will assemble in the North Island next year. The combination should meet every school term holidays. Next year is too far away for the band to function a% a unit. Individual players could be of inestimable value to the high schools to which they belong, providing they are given an opportunity to impart the knowledge gained at this excel-lently-controlled school. The attendance was less than 300 The boys deserved a packed house. —K.B.