AUSTRALIAN BANDS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 185, 3 May 1933, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN BANDS

New Zealanders Compared EXPERIENCES OF JUDGE The merits of Australian and New Zealand bauds were compared yesterday by Mr. F. \V. G. MclXiOd, of New Plymouth, who returned by the Monowai on Monday from Sydney, after adjudicating at the Queensland band and solo championships. There were 21 Queensland bauds competing, four A grade, three B grade,, four U grade, seven D grade, and six country grade. The competitions were spread over eight days, and finished on Easter Monday. In all Mr. McLeod adjudicated 272 distinct competitive numbers, comprising 120 baud items, and 110 solos, duets, quarettes, and septettes. On 'Thursday prior to Easter no fewer than 55 items were put through in one day. “In the solo sections.” said Mr. McLeod, “there was some wonderful playing by trombones, cornet, soprano cornet, and double basses, and exponents of these particular instruments were outstanding. Otherwise the general playing was on a par with the average solo sections held at the New Zealand championships. Trombone playing is being featured in Australia at present, and some very line performers are now to be heard. Junior classes are given every encouragement by the promoters of the contests, classes being provided for players down to 12 years of age. Queensland possesses a brilliant cornet, player in Mr. N. llenstridge, of Mackay, N.Q., and a first-class trombone player iu Mr. C. Perkins, of Brisbane. “In regard to the work of the bands it was ‘in and out’ so far as the general standard is concerned. 'The Brisbane Excelsior Band, under Mr. A. Wade, late of Wanganui, won practically all the A grade sections fairly comfortably. The standard of A grade work did not impress me. While Brisbane Excelsior's interpretation of the selections was very fine, still, with one selection, Cyril Jenkins’s “Victory” —which was the test piece at Dunedin two or three years ago—it gave me the impression that three or four of our New Zealand bands would have held prominent positions at this particular contest. “On the other hand, the B grade selection work was very good indeed, so much so that iu reporting to the Queensland authorities 1 recommended that practically all these bands should be graded A in future, iu view of the standard they bad achieved. The lower grade bands from country districts are Surprisingly' good, and compare favourably with New Zealand C grades. “During the Easter period in Queensland the annual Eisteddfod gatherings arc held, and this year they took place at Ipswich. They were largely' attemled. The choirs competing gave brilliant performances,” said Mr. .McLeod, “indicating that Queensland is more than holding its own so far as choral music is concerned. The championship from seven other choirs was won by Ipswich Cambrian Choir, under a very talented musician, .Mr. Leonard Francis, of Brisbane. Air. Brovster Jones, of Adelaide, was the musical adjudicator for choral numbers, and he was loud iu his praise of the beautiful work of the winning choir and several others.

“A movement is on foot to send the winning choir to Sydney in August to compete in the first City of Sydney Eisteddfod in the championship section.”