BAND CONTEST

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 130, 26 February 1929, Page 3

BAND CONTEST

FIRST DAY’S RESULTS

ASHBURTON WIN FIRST B GRADE TEST

Dominion Special Service.

Wanganui, February 25.

A strong westerly wind, carrying great quantities of dust, swept Wanganui to-day, making conditions unpleasant for the visitors. During the day the E flat bass solos, baritone test and quartettes were taken. The first B grade test was won by the Ashburton Band. E FLAT BASS TEST. The judge for the E flat bass test, for which “The Victor” was selected, was Mr. C. Trussell. He awarded first place to F. Lloyd (Wellington Tramways Band), with 95 points. W. Miller (Wanganui Garrison) was placed second, with 94, and A.' Horner (St. Kilda) and E. Prout (Westport), 93 each, tied third. C. Pollock (Woolston) was next with 92 points, and then came J. Shingleton (Wanganui Garrison), 90 points. Other competitors scored from 89 to 65, the majority being in the eighties. Commenting on the test, Mr. Trussell said Lloyd played the opening in a manner that attracted him, • and throughout gave an excellent performance. Miller also started well, but the tone was rather light. A little more attention to detail would have made his an excellent performance. BARITONE SOLO. Thirteen faced the judge in the baritone solo, “Beautiful Colorado,” and a close competition resulted between R. Boyd (Wanganui Garrison) and A. Pearson (Masterton Municipal). The first-named gained the victory by a

point, the totals being 90 and 89 respectively. The judge made no comments on the contest. Following are the positions:—R. Boyd (Wanganui Garrison), OOpts., 1; A. Pearson (Masterton Municipal), 89. 2. Also competed: R. Garner (Wanganui Garrison), 88; S. Catherall (Wellington City Sliver), 73; H. Bovey (Queen Alexandra’s), 87; P. Matthews (Queen Alexandra’s), 70; C. Smith (Timaru Municipal), 79; S. Burder (Wellington Tramways), 85; E. G. Marshall (Wellington Tramways), 75: W. J. Nelson (Kaikorai), 87; S. Hinman (Kaikorai), 78; W. Parker (Port Nicholson), 74; R. Stringer (Woolston), 84. QUARTETS. The selection for quartets was “Concordia.” In the recalls, St. Kilda Municipal No. 1 played first. Nice tone and balance marked the opening crescendoes, which were well graded in the first part. In the second part good work was done by the cornet, but the bass was a little foggy in places. The third movement was crisp at the opening, and the broken passages were negotiated fairly cleanly. Queen Alexandra’s Own’s opening was a little crisper and the shading very artistic, while the tone was rich and expression excellent. A full, organ tone marked the second part and both cornets blended nicely and good balance was maintained. All the instruments were crisp and the intonation very well maintained. It was a flue rendering throughout. Timaru Municipal No. 1 followed. A feature of their playing was the absence of a conductor. The opening was full tone and the crescendo good, but the tone was somewhat rough and they were inclined to race the time. The soprano cornet was weak on a few high notes, but the greater part of the intonation was acceptable. In the last movement the time was rather too brisk, but the cornet improved. On the whole, the interpretation was not

as clear in places as it might have been.

Palmerston North Garrison No. 1 played next with a firm opening and the blend was good, but the shading rather lacking, although the quartet played crisply and various parts stood out clear in the second movement, the opening tone was good and colouring attractive. The quartet appeared to improve as it went along and the last movement was very attractive.

Woolston No. 1 was the last of the recalls and the opening showed its performance would be full of interest. Their playing was not lacking in vigorous attack. The second movement was marked by well-sustained tone and the rhythm also was clear. The final movement was played with appreciation, but there was a semblance of smudging in places. Nevertheless the performance was up to a very high standard.

Captain Buckley (Queen Alexandra’s) began the selection, but stoppel after a bars, and it was found a handkerchief was in the horn of one of the instruments. A fresh start was made, the quartette being very well played. In the absence of communication with the judge, it is unknown whether the quartette were penalised by the incident, but the opinion of many was that Queen Alexandra’s should have secured a higher placing, although it is recognised Woolston’s performance merited the win. Th eplaciugs were as follow:— Woolston, 84pts 1 St. Kilda, 83pts *’ ’ 2 Timaru, 82 pts 3 Palmerston North, 81pts .**’ 3 Queen Alexandra’s 80pts 4 Also competed: Greymouth Municipal, Dannevirke Municipal, Ist Battalion Taranaki Regimental, No. 2, Wellington Tramways, St. Kilda No. 2, Granity Silver. B GRADE TEST.

In the B grade test (“White Rider”), Hastings Citizens’ Band appeared first. Their playing was full of fire and vigour. The tone was somewhat blatant, hut there was considerable appreciation shown of the legend, and the bass instruments stood out in the weird story, the conductor securing ready response to his wishes and the performance generally was a fair standard for those who played later. The Ashburton Band's opening was intelligent and the tone rich and sympathetic rendering of the soft passage followed, The leading attractive passages were played by the cornets crisply. The bass was less powerful than in the Hastings Band. Another attractive performance, showing considerable fine work, was that of the Feilding Municipal Band, which appeared next. The opening passages were interestingly played, but the tone was hardly as rich as desired, while there was lack of enthusiasm, and the intonation was faulty, and weaknesses appeared in some of the little solo passages. The performance was somewhat unimpressive. Hawera’s performance was marked by rich tone, and intelligent rendering and expression, depicting the mood of the legend of the fiery Serbians. Considerable interest was lent to the playing by careful shading, and the tone was' good throughout. It was a very attractive performance. The First Battalion Taranaki Regimental Band's tone was strong and rich, and the bass section was especially good. The cornet stood out nicely in solid passages, and the band accompaniment for these warm. The band’s performance was a very fine one, the interpretation being excellent. Nev.’ Plymouth Citizens lacked the richness of the previous band, and traces of thin tone 'were noticeable, and at times the band was somewhat ragged. The balance also was rather -oor. The judge’s awards were as follow: — Ashburton 1 Hawera 2 Hastings .3 No points were announced to-night. The judge, in commenting, spoke of the original test pieces which are now adopted for tests in the Old Country and New Zealand. He mentioned the difficulties of pieces written by non-bandsmen, and said perhaps the selection was too much for B grade, but he was surprised at the high standard of some of the bands’ work, which showed careful study. He was very pleased at the intelligent interpretations. Some lacked the spirit of selection—two stood out especially.