Fireworks for band

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33941, 6 September 1975, Page 16

Fireworks for band

(From CHARLES COOPER)

The Skellerup Woolston Band, of Christchurch, New Zealand champion and since last week-end Scottish champion, will make its bid to win the British Open title at Belle Vue, Manchester, today (New Zealand time). In Edinburgh, the band was first in the selection, hymn, deportment on the march, and percussion sections, and second by one point for music on the march. At Belle Vue, it is a much

less extensive contest, restricted to the playing of one test selection on stage. Twenty-three bands are entered, and all will play the same piece, “Fireworks,” composed by Elgar Howarth, of Britain. The New Zealand band’s tour manager (Mr Bruce Collett) said last evening that the bandsmen realised that Belle Vue was a stiffer contest than Edinburgh by a long way.

But competition with English and Scottish bands there had given them a lot of confidence. Their Manchester hotel

had given them a hotel basement banquet room for rehearsals, and the band had used it all week for intensive practice, supplemented yesterday by two outdoor sessions. None of the bandsmen was suffering any ailment beyond a minor cold, and thev expected to play today at the peak of condition and competence. “We have but one reservation,” said Mr Collett. “We are going to get awfully tired of ‘Fireworks,’ having to listen to it 20 or so times today.”