AFTER NINETEEN YEARS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 122, 8 February 1923, Page 3

AFTER NINETEEN YEARS

VISIT FROM AUSTRALIA’S CHAMPION BAND A CIVIC RECEPTION The crowd which assembled at the wharf yesterday to greet the arrival of the s.s. Ulimaroa from Sydney were surprised and delighted to hear martial music burst from the steamer as she drew alongside. There was something about the quality of tho music, too, that caused musical critics to be certain that the sweet strains emanated from no ordinary company of musicians. It 'was “The Cossack” March which floated out from the steamer, and there was tone, balance, and artistic taste in the performance which made many wonder what manner cf musicians these could bo who had reached New Zealand’s shores. All doubts were sot at rest when the well-known uniform of tlio . Redfern Municipal Band, tho champion band of Australia, was seen. The band, which numbers 30 performers, wore an their way to compete- in the contest at Dunedin, and they were met at tho wliarf by officials of the North Island Brass Bands Association ,and given a hearty welcome to Now Zealand, more particularly as it is nineteen years since an Australian brass band has visited New Zealand. The Redfern Municipal Band has long been recognised as ono of the crack bands of Australia, and they reached tho highest pinnacle of success in January of last year, when they won tho championship of the Commonwealth at the Sydney contest. Every soloist in the combination is a champion, as they proved at the recent Sydney contest, when out of eight members who entered seven secured championship awards. < Tho conductor, Mr. W. M. Partington, is no stranger to New Zealand, as about four years ago he had charge of tho Wanganui Garrison Bund for a short time. Civic Reception. In conjunction with the visiting New South Wales bowlers, a civic reception was accorded the Redfern Band by the Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright) and city councillors at the Town Hall yesterday afternoon, when there was a largo attendance of tho public. The Mayor, in welcoming the visiting band, z said that the Redfern Band had entered for the New Zealand championship last year, but had been unable to come over on account of so many of their best players being unable to get leave. Last year the Redfern Band b/dS won tho championship of the Commomyealth, while in tho solo championships, out of eight soloists who had entered seven had been successful. This showed tho calibre of tho band. This was the first band which had coma over to Now Zealand from Australia for 19 years, and indeed it was the second Australian band which had ever visited New Zealand', whilal New Zealand had sent three bands to Australia. Tho Redfern Band had come over to compete nt the band contest at Dunedin. Ho would tell the bandsmen candidly that lie hoped they would lie beaten. (Laughter.) However, if the Redfern Band was successful New Zealanders could take credit that its conductor was a New Zealander, as Mr. Partington had been conductor of the Wanganui Garrison Band for some timo. He wished the Redfern Band a most pleasant sojourn in New Zealand. (Applause.) Lieutenant Herd, vice-nresident of tho New Zealand Brass Bands’ Association, in extending a welcome to Mr. Partington and his musicians, said they were all looking forward to the two concerts which the band was _ going to give in Wellington. Such visits as these did much to raise the standard of brass band music. Mr. W. M. Partington, the conductor of the band,' in returning thanks, said it came as a great surprise to them to hear that they were to bo accorded a civic reception. Municipalities did not, as a rule, do as much as they should for their bands. The feeling between bandsmen in Australia and New Zealand was of tha most cordial nature, and tho visits of Now Zealand bands to Australia had served as a splendid advertisement to the Dominion. Tlie Redfern Band was a genuine municipal band according to the fulcs both in Australia and New Zealand. After the reception, which took place in tho Council Chamber, the Redfern Band delighted everyone with a spirited performance of the march, “The President” (William German). The band will give concerts at tho Town FTiuT to-night and to-morrow night.