Band has loss and gain

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33671, 22 October 1974, Page 12

Band has loss and gain

The New 7 Zealand National Band gave a concert yesterday in the John F. Kennedy Memorial Centre in Washington — the first performance by New Zealand artists in the centre since it was opened two years ago.

Mr Ernie Ormrod, secretary of the band, expected a large attendance for the concert, which won considerable advance radio publicity. Mr Ormrod said the centre was one of the most significant concert forums at which the band would plav during its American tour. “ It played in Roanoke, Virginia, on Saturday night, and bandsmen travelled from there to the United States capital yesterday morning. However, in New York, authorities of Madison Square Garden have cancelled the indoor performances the band was scheduled to give for five days from tomorrow. The manager of the band, Mr A. Brieseman, said that the cancellation was because of doubts about the probable attendances. “They have not, however, cancelled our contracts, and we will not lose financially,” he said. “Plans are being made for us to fulfil other engagements in New York.” Other performances the band may give in the city include two ' at the Rockefeller Centre, an appearance at the headquarters of the

United Nations, and possibly “half-time” concerts at professional basketball games at Madison Square Garden. The latter appearances might result in the band receiving wide television coverage, as games played at the garden and the “halftime” show are regularly featured “live.” “It may be that we will win more promption out of what has happened than if we had appeared indoors at the Garden,” Mr Brieseman said.