TRAMWAYS' BAND CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3072, 7 May 1917, Page 7

TRAMWAYS' BAND CONCERT

If it continues to progress at its present rate, t'ho Tramways Military Band Will be a good one in no time. The concert it gave at His Majesty's Theatre last evening drew an audience that filled every seat, and the popular character of the programme pleased 95 per cent, of them. The. other S per cent, would like the'band to improve its standard a little. That it can do good work was evidenced in the "Tancredi" overture. Not that tho rest of the programme was not attractive, but it is advisable to make a Sunday concert programme a little better than would suffice for Lyall Bay, and the suggestion is offered that tho appreciation would be overy bit as teen wore a reasonably high standard aimed at. Tho band has lots of good material, and its ensemble playing is good, but there is too much ensemble playing, and not onough discretion is exorcised in picking out tho beauties of a piece of music by tho solo instruments, and subduing the accompaniments. Tbore vrcro roughnesses iu the "Tiuviata" l selection that rehearsal should orase. Tho tone is bright and tho balance good, though it would 1m improved by the inclusion of two or three good oboe-playors. On no occasion last' evening was tho oboe tone detected. Tho brass is capital, the kettledrummer insecure. Tho programme included tho pretty "La Mouame" mazurka (Ganne), familiarised hero years ago, when it was played as tho incidental music to the drama "Trilby." The waltz "Tesora Mio" tickled the ear pleasantly, and finally the band played most oxhilaratingly the "Stars and Stripes" March, by Sousa, in token of America's entry into the war. Mr. G. W. Bowcs conducts in a smart, soldierly fashion. The band's next performance will be given on May SO. ■