Astonishing Virtuosity Of Bands In A Grade Test

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30443, 18 May 1964, Page 14

Astonishing Virtuosity Of Bands In A Grade Test

Roslyn Mills-Kaikorai was declared winner of the A grade championship in the national brass band championships which concluded in the Theatre Royal last night. Timaru Municipal was placed second, and Palmerston North City Silver shared third place with St. Kilda Municipal. The relative aggregate points were 288|, 285, and 283. The piece for the second A grade test was “The Judges of the Secret Court,” by Berlioz, arranged for brass band by Frank Wright. Berlioz here strikes the spark of dramatic fire from sometimes common-place thematic material and harmonic resource; but the result as heard in Frank Wright’s brilliant band version showed the astonishing degree of virtuosity which these groups at their best may reach, , and held the close attention of a' very large audience right through seven performances.

Undoubtedly the brass band gives many players an introduction to music by outstanding composers and the ambition and necessary perseverance to reach high, levels of understanding and technique in its performance. As seen and heard in these championships, conductors and’ players are predominantly young or young in spirit. They have found ah absorbing interest.

In this second . test, the Woolston Brass Band was one point behind Palmerston North and Timaru Municipals and Derry’s Brass drew with the Maryborough Federal (Australia). The totals over the two tests in these cases were ■ Maryborough Federal 281}, Woolston Brass 280, and Derry’s Brass 277. . Mr Norman Heustridge, the judge, said that he always listened carefully to the seemingly unimportant parts: to those- of “the little man” in the band. He emphasised the importance of intonation and of the need to remember that pace could be a “killer.” There was no room for a timid approach to the dramatic passages in this music. They required sur.e confidence in their performance. The championships have provided the occasion for renewals of old friendships and the forming of new ones; and, to the onlooker, it is evident that the music-making of the bands, has a unifying influence in the community. At the close of. the performance a presentation was made to the past-president (Mr R. E. Belgrave). Hymn Contest On Saturday evening in the Theatre Royal the hymn competition for all- grades took place; and, from the opening item by the Dunedin Ladies’ Brass Band to the last by the Timaru Municipal', the careful attention to this part of the bands’ work was demonstrated fully. There was always some-

thing (and often a.great deal) to commend in the D grade groups. The Dunedin Ladies’ Brass, Waimate Silver, New Brighton Silver, and Kaiapoi Brass Bands are assets in their various areas. Timaru High School won a third place. Levin Municipal, with good tone, intonation and blend, was second: and an outstanding, well-balanced performance placed the City of Rotorua first in the grade. With an expertly scored version of “Crimond,” Woolston Auxiliary, won the C Grade and showed how the patient determination and understanding of one man may win for a worth-while activity the loyalty and hard work of a group of young people. Artistry and technical proficiency marked the playing of Te Awamutu Municipal, and New Plymouth City, which were graded second with equal marks. Papatoetoe Municipal, another band giving opportunity to several young boys, was not far behind; neither was Upper Hutt Municipal. It was encouraging to notice the progress all are making in the matters of tone, intonation, blend, balance; and contrast.

Playing the Vaughan Williams setting of “For All The Saints,” Onslow Brass won the B grade . competition, Blenheim Municipal and Dunedin City Silver were second equal. The former obtained some of the most interesting tonal contrasts in the grade. . Another satisfying performance was that of “Praise, My Soul,” by the Christchurch Fire Brigade Band, a group which included a small number of quite young players. The second verse was particularly well treated. A good band of similar quality was Mt. Roskill Municipal. The Inver-

cargill Garrison Band played in a confident, workmanlike manner, with particularly good blend and balance in the second verse. Like the other experienced bands, Addington Workshops was attentive to detail and showed enterprise in the use of contrast. The judge graded Wanganui Garrison with Invercargill. In his remarks he: stressed the importance of maintaining good tonal quality in soft playing; and that is good advice to all performers.

Roslyn Mills-Kaikorai won the A grade: clearly the result of loyal, painstaking cooperation with outstanding musical direction. Tone, intonation, blend, balance, nuance were all of very high standard. The hymn was richly scored: so was the St. Kilda Municipal choice, “Hyfrydol.” In fact, St., Kilda proved itself a very fine band.- Woolston’s playing showed control and. sensi-. five feeling for tempo and mood. Derry’s selected “Hyfrydol” and played it well. Noticeably good interplay of parts, effective blending and thoughtful nuance characterised the Palmerston North City Silver Band’s performance. The Maryborough Federal (Australia) Band received again a special welcome and was assessed , as to points with St. Kilda and Timaru Municipal—a band- which played its well-scored hymn very effectively and' then, being last to appear, entertained the audience until the judge was ready. ' —V.G:

[Earlier Report, page 3]