MASSED BANDS' CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 221, 6 June 1918, Page 8

MASSED BANDS' CONCERT

• FOE THE "RED JERSEY." Thero was an excellent audience at the Town Hall last evening, wlien the brass bands of Wellington save a recital in aid of the Ked; Jersey appeal. • It is not often that tho public gets the opportunity of hearing between 170 and 180 bandsmen in action, at one and the same lime. A popular song says—"There's magio in the musioof a military band"— and though the bands concerned in last evening's concert were not militarv bands in the strict sense of the term, there was magio in tho effect ench a volume of music sound created.' It stirred the blood aud made the pulsee leap to hear the fine crashing chords, and full-toned legatos, and , for such a combination tho modulation was excellent. Prior to the concert the massed bands played the "Invercareill Ifnreh" nutsHe the. city hall. Within, the concert opened with (he familiar "Stars and Stripes" march of the volatile Sousa, which gave tho impressive array of trombones a fine opportunity to show their strength in unison. The Patriotic Society's Band followed with a selection of National Airs, very nicely played. Then , the N.Z. Natives' Association Band .played the spirited "8.8. and C.¥." march of Orel Tlume in. vigorous styls. The City Salvation Army Band, a ■ very fine in : etrumental combination, displaying cood tone apt! admirable balance, played an attractive 'selection, entitled "Glorious Fountain," and earned a well-merited -The Newtown Snlv.ition-Army Band played the selection. "The Unseen Line," the Tramways Bund played <i lively march, and l-he Ceutrnl Mission Band tho selection "Norrnnnlnirst." ' The final band item was the playing of the noble funeral march, "Tho Garland of Flowers," by the massed bHuds in memory of tho soldiers of New Zealand who have made the supreme sacrifice. This was a crowning effort, and well worth walking miles to hear.- The attack and release were wonderfully good, and the power of the ensemble—particularly that o)' the bass and trombone sections—was thrillingly' impressive. Whilst this number was being played the audience stood with bared heacls, awed T>y tho solemnity and grandeur of the music. The bands wcro assisted byMadnino Anderson, whoso full-throated mezzooontralto voice was heard to good effect in "There's a Land" (Allitzen), and, when encored, the pretty ballad, "You Are My Darling," expressively interpreted. Mr. H. A. Crump accompanied' the singer. Mr. Norman Aitken recited (to a musical accompaniment) those hardy; favourites. "W!ien Are Ybu Going Away?" and "Spotty."