BANDS & BANDSMEN

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 34, 3 November 1933, Page 15

BANDS & BANDSMEN

The Southland Contest WOOLSTON’S POSITION COMING CONTESTS. Invercargill (Southland). —B and C grade bands, November 4. Mauaia (Taranaki).—March, 1934. Rotorua—B aud C grade. Easter Saturday. 1934. Notes by “Kneller Hall.” Invercargill Contest. The Southland contest for brass and pipe bands takes place to-morrow at Invercargill, and as it is twenty years since a contest has been held iu the Southland capital, interest in the event is keen, and a record attendance is assured. Fourteen bands have entered —9 brass (B and C grades) and 5 pipe—and the quickstep and selections will be judged in the open air at the showgrounds. The holding of the selections out of doors is a departure from the usual procedure, and as the grandstand and band platform will be floodlighted for the occasion the effect should be striking and add to the general interest. The contest will be un- . der the auspices of the New Zealand Brass Bands’ Association and the Highland Pipe Bands’ Association of New Zealand. Mr. Thomas Goodall, of Wellington, Is adjudicator of the brass band music, and Mr. James Erskine, of Christchurch, judges that of the pipes. Major H. D. McHugh, M.C., N.Z.S.C., officer commanding the regimental district, will have the assistance of his staff in judging the quickstep. The competing bands have been given their own choice in the music, Which will add to the interest of the proceedings, and in all cases the standard aimed at has been high. Woolston and the Championship. Concerning a recent report about the Woolston Band, “Chatham” writes: “I was most interested to read the correspondence in your paper over the February championship brass hand contest in Wellington. ‘First Euphonium’ rather naively suggested that now the Phar Lap of brass bands (meaning Woolston) had decided not to come to Wellington as it intended to go to Melbourne next year, it offered hopes of the championship to ‘bands of lesser, breed,’ as Kipling would put it. While the dropping out of Woolston does, mean that another band will be champion of New Zealand next year, it is to be deplored, and personally I hope that Woolston will yet be persuaded to toe the mark here in February, for reasons I will now set out. Should the Woolston. Band not compete in Wellington it can only go to the Melbourne Centenary contest as an ex-champion band of New Zealand, whilst it may have to meet there the 1934 champion New Zealand band, reducing the Woolston prestige if it does nothing else. Then unkindly-disposed persons might be tempted to say that Woolston did not compete at Wellington for the simple reason that its colours might be lowered there and the lustre of its reputation would be dimmed thereby. Personally, knowing Mr. Estall, I do not think such a reason would weigh with him for a second; the suggestion is made now only to prevent it being made in a more objectionable manner later. It was flattering to see Woolston referred to as ‘the Phar Lap’ of brass bands. It is not that—but for sheer consistency, refinement of ideal, and polish in performance it has maintained a fine standard for some years. But it is not unbeatable by a long chalk. (Here follows a list of the championship winners for the last nine years): JOSS—Malvern Tramways (Melbourne). 1920—Woolston (Christchurch). 1927 — Queen Alexandra (Wanganui). 1928— Queen Alexandra (Wanganui). 1929— fit. Kilda (Dunedin). 1930— Woolston (Christchurch). t 1031 —Xo contest on account ot earthquake disaster. 1932—Port Nicholson (Wellington). 1033—Woolston (Christchurch). Mosgiel Municipal’s Jubilee. Mosgiel Municipal Band has passed its fiftieth year of life, and last week celebrated its jubilee in appropriate fashion. When originally formed it was called the Mosgiel Factory Operatives Band, but previous to that a body of musicians ployed for various functions as far back as 1874. At a reunion held last Saturday evening, at which the band’s president (Mr. J. P. Walls) occupied the chair, there was a joyous gathering of members, exmembers and citizens, among the visitors being the Mayor of Mosgiel (Mr. A. F. Quelchj and Councillors Findlay (Taieri County Council) and R. Smeaton (Mosgiel Borough Council). The toast of the band was honoured, and some very interesting reminiscences dealing with its career were recounted. The baud’s first engagement was in ISS3, the . occasion being a school picnic, to which the members were transported in a spring conveyance commonly known as the “Gospel Wagon.” There was considerable activity among the district bands in those days, and at various contests the competitors neglected no chances. At one'of these fixtures held in Dunedin in 1592 there was keen rivalry between the Mosgiel and Roslyn Mills Bands, not as to who would win, but who would not be last, and the result was Roslyn last and Mosgiel second last. Mr. William Weir was bandmaster in 1883, and in 1885 Mr. A. G. Haigh took control. About 1899 Mr. Haigh moved to New Plymouth to take over the conductorship of the Tarankai Garrison Band. Like most band> Mosgiel Municipal has had many ups and" downs, and at one stage (1924) disbanded, but in the following year, on the occasion of the visit of the

Amexican warships, ' was reorganised. Mr. J. White was then conductor, and the new name was adopted. In 1930 Mr. White resigned and Mr. L. B. Barron was appointed conductor. The band has been victorious at several contests and in most cases, even if not the winner, has put up creditable performances, aud is always on the alert for further successes.

Bandroom Chat. By permission of the British War Office and the Commandant of the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, Captain H. E. Adkins, director of music at the great band college, has been released for an engagement ith the Australian Broadcasting Commission. He will visit the Commonwealth for the purpose of organising a national military band from those now existing there, and will conduct a series of band concerts. s x Mr. John G. Osborne, of Wellington, secretary of the N.Z. Brass Bands’ Association, left last week for the south, and will be present at the Southland contest at Invercargill to-morrow. At a general meeting of the New Brighton Municipal Band, Conductor J. A. Nuttall presiding, three years’ service certificates were presented to four members. The resignation of the secretary, Mr. G. Wear, was accepted with regret, and Mr. Thos. Adnams was appointed to fill the vacancy, with Mr. C. F. Buxton as organising secretary. Arrangements have been made to pay a visit to Greymouth during November. Substantial alterations and additions have been made to the bandroom and hall, and the building has been made attractive to bandsmen and general public alike. In a photograph to hand of the Mosgiel Factory Operatives Band in 1883 (now the Municipal), one would find it difficult to recognise in a youth in the group Mr. F. W. G. McLeod, of ■New Plymouth, now a well-known conductor, and adjudicator at the contest held in Dunedin in 1932. Mosgiel Municipal acquitted itself well, gaining first place in the quickstep, first in hymn test, and first in aggregate points. Interest in the Band of the Frst Battalion still keeps up, and the members are very keen for its advancement, writes “Harmony.” The attendance at practice averages about 30, which is very satisfactory. Sincere regret is felt for Mr. W. Jeffreys, who is at present on the sick list, and all will be glad to see him again in his usual place. “Bill” has been one of the very best, and the general wish is for him to “keep his pecker up.” On Tuesday night the officers of the battalion visited the band room on an inspection and expressed themselves as delighted with the progress the band had made; there were 33 men on parade and at practice. The Junior Band under Sergeant K. Smith,' is also doing well. There is a membership of about 30 boys, who are receiving a thorough training in the rudiments of music, and’it is hoped they will shortly make their first appearance. In company with the senior band, and the pipe, drums, and bugle bands, they should make an imposing display of nearly 100 bandsmen.