BANDS AND BANDSMEN

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 70, 15 December 1933, Page 15

BANDS AND BANDSMEN

Contest Solo Judge

MR. T. GRAY, WANGANUI

(Notes by “Kneiler Hall.”)

The Season’s Greetings. A merry Christmas to all I One or two Christmases of recent years have been shorn of much of the joyous spirit, that should prevail at this season of the year owing to the troublous times New Zealand, with the rest of the world, has been passing through. But now .that the cloud of depression shows definite signs of lifting, the old feeling of cheerfulness is returning and the note of despondency that was heard so frequently is heard very seldom now. Bands will be ' busy with their carolling, and the customary seasonable music for the next week or so. and it is sincerely hoped' that this will be a time of good will in its truest 'sense. With a more joyous and optimistic spirit in evidence on all hands, there is every prospect that the festivities about to commence will reflect the changed conditions that have set in. And so the writer wishes one and all a Merry Christmas and the best of good fortune. The Wellington Brass Bands’ Association seems to have struck trouble, and not of its own making. Arrangements had been made for a semi-charit-able massed bands demonstration in the Basin Reserve to-morrow, but at the last moment it was stated that permission to use the ground had been cancelled, as it was feared the grass surface would be injured. The function will take place next week at Athletic Park. Contest Solo Adjudicator.

Wanganui has come into the limelight lately so far as band matters are concerned. First there was the appointment of a new conductor for the Garrison Band, which presaged increased activity in view of the coming championship contest at Wellington. The selection of Captain George Buckley as adjudicator at next February’s big event, who, though now resident in Auckland, has been connected with the band history of Wanganui for many years, was the "subject of much favourable comment, and as an experiment in appointing judges from the ranks of Dominion bandsmen instead of importing them from overseas, will be regarded with more than passing interest.

The next position of importance at the pending contest was that of judge of the'solo section, and the choice of the New Zealand Brass Bands Association has fallen on Mr. Thomas Gray, who Jias Been acting-conductor of Wanganui Garrison Band until a permanent appointment was made. Both Captain Buckley and Mr. Gray are old comrades, and have played together in the early Wellington Artillery Band and the Wanganui Garrison. In 1900 Mr. Grav joined the latter organisation, when Mr. James Crichton, wielded the baton, and when Mr. Buckley joined shortly after as solo cornet, Air. Gray w’as solo euphonium. As a composer he has brought out two marches, one of which,’ “Wanganui City,” will ever be associated with that river resort. He is an executant of' outstanding merit on most instruments in brass band work, and it is averred that because of his success in this direction the Brass Bands Association adopted _ a rule confining competitors to one instrument only at respective contests. Much satisfaction has been expressed at the appointment of two Dominion adjudicators, as it is held that judgment from a New Zealand standpoint will be brought to bear on the playing at Wellington. It has been felt in New Zealand fop a long time, remarks a critic, that a. marked difference exists between Australian and New Zealand viewpoints in the matter of brass band work, and bands and soloists are looking forward to playing under Dominion judges. It may be added that Mr. Gray, besides winning championships on the tenor trombone, euphonium, and F flat bass, has judged instrumental competitions iu the past, and was adjudicator at the Wairarapa Brass Band contest iu 1028, so he brings a ripe experience with him to Wellington next February. The Recent Carnival.

A valued'correspondent, whose contribution arrived too late for insertion in last week's notes, writes as follows: — , Another typical instance of the essentialness of brass band music for all functions on a large scale was strikingly illustrated during the progress of Carnival Meek. The bands, as usual, were called upon to do their share of work, and again emerged with credit to tliomsclves. for the fuuc-: tlous thev were associated with were features of a rather tn hie, week, the only bright spots, being the procession and quickstep at Athletic Park, the military tattoo at the Basin , Reserve, and the massed band through the city streets plaj ■ ini drill on the Sunday. A 'novel feature of Tbursdav’s entertainment was the fPoctacle of 150 bandsmen marching as one big massed band through the city streets playing the old favourite "Invercargill. This proved so popular that it was repeated on Suudav. Five bands competed in the quickstep contest, iield under the rules ot the N.Z.8.8.A.. the winner to hold the A. T. Cartwright silver cup for ono year. Though a cold southerly wind was blowing a verv line performance was put op. Port Nicholson Silver carrying off the bouours, with Boys' Institute second. J lie latter arc to be congratulated on their excellent performance in being so dos? to the winners, who lijsl year held the diampiouship title. It Is agreed that Thursday evening's proceedings formed the outstanding event of the week’s programme, attracting the largest audience, and consequently the largest gate receipts, ihanks are dm> to the O.C. Central Command for permitting the various units of the Hefence Forces Io co-operate with the nanus on this oceasioii.’ The following bands took part: Port Nicholson. Wellington 1 ramwavs, Wellington Artillery. Welling on First Battalion. Jupp's Silver. Boys Institute. and Caledonian Pipe Baud. Bandi'oom Chat.

It is of interest to bandsmen generally to learn that Mr. Frank, Wright, who was adjudicator at the Ne Zealand championships contest at Dunedin in February last., is doing well in Britain and making much progress in his profession. Writing to Mr. John G. Osborne..of Wellington, secretary of the Now Zealand Brass Bands Association. lie states that he'has been chosen lo be adjudicator at the National Championship Contest of Scotland, to lie held at Edinburgh next April, and that he is right in the midst of many activities. He wishes to bo remembered to all his old friends in the Dominion. Uawera Municipal Band has decided to enter for the A grade championship at the Wellington contest next February. Originally it had entered for the B grade, but the members agreed, after seeing- the music, that it would not be of educational 'benefit and that it would not sustain their interest. Accordingly it was decided, after a meeting of officers and older members, to transfer to the A grade. Practices are now in full swing with the major selections. Granville Rantock’s ‘‘Prometheus Unbound” and Denis Wright’s “Princess Nada.” aud the educational influence of this original music and ’yricnl subjects, states the conductor <Mr. 11, C. A. Fox i should certainly result in much improved playing and musical knowledge generally.