Ovation for National Band

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33671, 22 October 1974, Page 18

Ovation for National Band

(N.Z.P.A Staff Correspondent) WASHINGTON, Oct. 21. The National Band of New Zealand was given a standing ovation in Washington late last night at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. An enthusiastic audience' which filled about three-; quarters of the concert hall of the centre wandered reluc-i tantly into the winter air after the last notes of "God Defend New Zealand” had died away. The national song had been played as an; encore. For the band, which began on a slightly "off” note, the acoustics making it difficult i

, for members to keep in, unison, the reception from one of America’s most! critical audiences indicated it . need not fear for its reputa-; •tion. 1; “It was a wonderful i audience, and the band really .-got into its stride in the 'i second half,” said the con- ■ ductor (Mr M. J. Waters). “It hasn’t done a bad performance on tour, and I i think the repertoire it is| playing makes it the best we have ever sent away.” j The reaction of the Ken-i nedy centre audience made it : :clear the band is a musical; asset New Zealand can be) proud of. Many New Zealanders had; American guests with them) -for the performance, and the' ; guests’ comments ranged; from "a band you can be) proud of,” to “I didn’t think) :il could enjoy brass band)

, music in a concert hall as I much as I enjoyed them.” MAORI ITEMS i The Maori group travelling with the band won sustained applause for a variety of canoe dances and short and long poi items. The band began its performance with “The Star Spangled Banner,” then played the overture to “The Corsair,” by Berlioz, and Elgar’s “Nimrod” (from the “Enigma Variations”). The comet section was given its head with “Trumpets Wild,’ and the first bracket ended; with Gilbert Vinter’s “Chai-; lenging Brass.” Mr Waters was not completely satisfied with the performance, but it was evident the audience was in a receptive mood for the Maori dancers to take the lime-light. Three items followed from;

the band before a brief interval which came to a close so quickly that the members of the audience had to rush drinks to. return to their seats. All seemed quickly forgiven, however, when the band promptly broke into a full concert in miniature, playing 30 tunes in four minutes and a half. “When the Saints Come Marching In,” and other favourites set the crowd’s feet tapping. Errol Mason, a cornet player of considerable talent, won much applause as a soloiist, and the band captured the audience’s heart with its final item, the “William Tell Overture.” It is almost “New Zealand week” in the American capital, two days of New Zealand tourist films and Maori entertainment having opened on Wednesday.