Well-chosen Set Piece

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30442, 16 May 1964, Page 14

Well-chosen Set Piece

The A Grade First Test of the National Brass Band Championships, which are being held in Christchurch this year, took place last night in the Theatre Royal, the judge being Mr Norman Henstridge, of Australia. One hundred and eleven years ago; the famous Belle Vue Gardens contests began in Manchester. In 1898, Sir Arthur, Sullivan conducted in London the concert by prize bands that led, with his encouragement, to the start of the Crystal Palace series which, by 1930, was attracting nearly 200 entries. Sullivan may have been the first distinguished British composer to help the brass band movement, but he was not the last, for his example was followed by Elgar, Vaughan Williams, John Ireland, and others, including Cyril Jenkins, who wrote last night’s test piece, “Life Divine,” a tone poem very well chosen for the purpose and one which had interest for an audience hearing it seven times in one evening.

Purporting to review four of the phases of life as experienced by most people, it gave plenty of opportunity for contrast; and it was written by a man having expert knowledge of the brass band and its possibilities. There was no room for “passengers.” The musicianship of each section and subsection was tested thoroughly. Consequently it is all the more pleasurable to record that the highest standard reached was high indeed and that the judges commendations were well deserved.

Seven bands took part. In the order of their appearance they were the Woolston Brass Band, Derry’s Brass Band, the Palmerston North City Silver, St. Kilda Municipal, Timaru Municipal, Roslyn Mills-Kai-korai, and Maryborough Federal (Australia)—to the conductor and players of which a special warm welcome was extended by the audience. This Band played two items

while the judges report was awaited—a march, and a hymn by the conductor, Mr J. J. Kelly. Mr Henstridge remarked there was not a wide range of difference between the Bands and his duty had not been an easy one. However, the A grade SeconckTest had yet to come.

It remains to be said that the two Christchurch Bands opened in fine style a series of performances which was heard with close attention and keen enjoyment by a large audience. —V.G.