CORONATION MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1037, 28 January 1911, Page 13

CORONATION MUSIC.

» DESCRIBED BY KING'S TRUMPETER. (By TeleEranh.—Soccial Corrwaoiid'onU Christchurch, January 27. "Tho King's Trumpeter," now visitOhi'istchurch, talked to-day to a "Press" representative about tho coming Coronation, remarking that ho presumed that tho arrangements this timo would follow thoso made- at tho time of King Edward, for which the King's Band, assisted by some forty other .famous players with the organ, had Ave rehearsals.. On tho day of tho great ceremonial, the musicians took their places at a quarter to eight inthe morning, and stayed there until two in tho afternoon, while the people took their places. A huge programme was gone through, coronation marches being varied by opera music liko the Wedding' March from "Lohengrin." Sir Walter Parrott conducted tho band throughout, in conjunction with Sir Frederick Bridge, who is responsible for tho music in the Abbey. The programme is gone through while the great crowd take their places. _ Tho musicians must be ready at the signal to sound fanfares to. give warning that 'a procession is about to start. These processions are the proceeding of. some noted person from ihe annexe where he has robed to his appointed place. Mr. Short remembers one Indian prince, literally blazing with diamonds, but tho musicians have little leisure to attend to anything other than the music. During the actual ceremony of investiture, there are seven or eight fanfares 'of trumpets, notably when his Majesty takes the sceptre, and at that great moment when the crown is placed on his head. The wholo ' coronation, says'Mr; Short, is a triumph of organisation. Months before tho day appointed the Abbey is in tho hands of those whoso duty it is to make it ready—a triumph of perfect arrangement.