PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ BAND

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 175, 20 April 1929, Page 15

PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ BAND

e FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE 0 e r 1 J Recognising the value of band music \ at the school, the Island Bay School Committee, in conjunction with the Home i and School Association, sponsored the 3 formation of a drum and fife band, which r made its initial bow to a crowded audience at the Empire Theatre last night. : The band commenced practices last No- ’ veinber and despite the break caused by ’ the long Christnms’vacation, gave a reu- . dering of items that speaks volumes for ( t the work of the bandmaster, Mr. A. > Dicker, who was a member of the famous , Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders’ Band i for 12 years. The band, in full-dress 1 uniform, under Drum-Major Master Kel- ! vin Baker, was ‘accorded a wonderful reception on appearing on the stage. The Home and School Association during last year made un effort (All Nations’ Fair), and part of the proceeds was utilised for the purpose of providing instruments for tlie 30 boys who compose the band. To augment the uniform fund the management of the Empire Theatre placed the theatre at the disposal of the band and provided a splendid picture—" The Physician” —gratis. . The band opened the proceedings with “God Save the King" and followed with the march “Our Boys,” and justly earned the round of applause which was given. This piece showed the band to perfection, and it is evident that at the various school functions that this piece will take pride of place in the programme. Another item by the band, “A Vesper Hymn,” was finely rendered, and the audience soon realised the musical ability of the players and insisted on a recall. . Mrs. H. Reeves gave some excellent items on the banjo and was recalled. Humorous items by Mr. E. J. Peek were greatly appreciated. Mrs. A. y ICS ? r acted as accompanist, and with Mr. A. Dicker with the orchestral drums rendered excellent service. The result of the band’s first public appearance is such that Mr. A. Dicker, bandmaster, and Mr. Mischel (Queen s Theatre) as drum instructor deserve the congratulations of the district on the splendid progress made, and the boys themselves nre heartily congratulated on their playing. This band will take part in the Anzac'ceremony to be held at the school on the morning of Anzac Day, and will also take part in the military procession to the Cenotaph in the afternoon. The late headmaster of the school (Mr. H. F. Penlington) was a keen supporter of the formation of the band, realising the great value of.coneerted music in school life, and there is no doubt that this band in the future will be of great assistance to the school, and its services will be sought after for combined schools’ displays. During the evening Mr. C. D. Lennie (president of the Home and School Association) presented Mr. A. Dicker with a bandmaster’s baton suitably inscribed, and thanked him on behalf of the school and the district on the great interest he had shown in the formation of the band, and also thanked the residents for their support and the, management of the theatre and the artists for their kind as- - sistance.