BAND CONTEST OPENS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 121, 16 February 1937, Page 10

BAND CONTEST OPENS

Solo Contests Yesterday

JUDGES DISAPPOINTED WITH PERFORMANCES

By Telegraph—Press Association,

Nelson, February 15.

The New Zealand band contest opened in beautiful weather to-day. There are seven A grade and 12 B grade bauds competing, and there are 400 entries in solo competitions. Mr. E. P. Kerry (Sydney) is chief adjudicator and Mr. T. Goodall (Wellington) is assistant judge. The solo contests commenced tins morning. Results are as follows:- ■ E. Flat Soprano Cornet (12 entries). —W. Francis (Wanganui Garrison), 85 points. 1; R. Thomas (Timaru Municipal), 84. 2; C. Thompson (Queen Alexandra’s Own). 76. 3. E Flat, or EE Flat Bass (16 entries). —J. P. Cowlishaw (Palmerston North Garrison), 94 points. 1; V. Abraham (Timaru Municipal), 93, 2; L. H. Jacobs (Institute Silver, Wellington), 91. 3.

Mr. Kerry considered the soprano cornets poor and expressed disappointment. The E fiat bass .solo was interesting. but not high class, said Mr. Goodall. The solo was quite easy, but many competitors treated it too easily. The mistakes made were numerous and unnecessary. Three players stood out a little above the others, but there was not a really bad performance. The most noticeable fault was articulation. The articulation of the three leading players was very good right through. Tenor Trombone Solo.—H. Croucher (Hawera Municipal), 79 points, 1; L. Carruthers (Greymouth Municipal), 74, 2; G. Laugridge (Timaru -Municipal), 73, 3.

Mr. Kerry was very disappointed in the trombones from a championship viewpoint, and said it was the worst playing he had ever listened to. He pointed out that, the trombone was a man’s instrument. He could not tolerate the horn tone on the trombone, and urged the competitors to cut out the extra tremolo. Baritone Solo.—C. Smith (Timaru Municipal), 89 points, 1; G. Wilson (Woolston Brass). 88. 2; A. J. Tourell (Dunedin Artillery) and E. O’Brien (Wellington Tramways), 87, equal, 3. Mr. Goodall said the class was not very good, and he wondered whether they were all nervous. HYMN TEST DECIDED Dannevirke Band’s Good Performance AN OUTSPOKEN JUDGE By Telegraph—Press’ Association. Nelson, February 15. Nineteen A and B grade bands competed on the level in the hymn test to-night, and the performance of the Dannevirke Municipal Band proved that the smaller bands can make a worthy showing in hymn playing against more notable combinations.

A crowd of over 2500 gathered at Trafalgar Park, tlie weather being clear with a cool wind. The judge, Mr. Kerry, placed the first three bands as follows: —

Timaru Municipal 138 Dannevirke Municipal .. 130 St. Kilda Municipal .... 129

“I would advise conductors to spend to-morrow in getting the bands in tune,” said the judge in giving his decision. “I have never heard bands so damnably out of tune as some of those I have heard to-night. I have not come here to pull you to pieces. I know no bands in New Zealand, aud it doesn't matter to me who wins.”

Commenting on the test afterward, Mr. Kerry said that programmes were varied.j The main factor was untunefulness and unbalanced playing. The band that won, won handsomely. It. had the best tone and was the best balanced, and played the hymn more in keeping with a hymn than any other band. A hymn should not bo ,a dirge. Bands out of tune would not be considered in any way whatever. He added that he had taken phrasing into consideration. Some of the bands made bigger gaps than one would make in singing. The majority left the ends of phrases too abrupt instead of tapering them off. PIPE BANDS’ CONTEST By Telegraph—Press Association. Tiniaru, February 15. The Dominion Pipe Band Association has granted permission for an A and B contest to be held at Timaru on Easter Saturday. ARRIVAL OE BANDSMEN Welcomed by Great- Crowds Uy Telegraph—Press Association. Nelson, February 15. Nelson is band contest-minded. Rarely has Haven Road known such a crowd as thAt which thronged it when residents flocked in their hundreds to welcome the North Island bands, which arrived by steamer at the week-end to take part in the New Zealand contest. Long before the ferry steamer was due to arrive a crowd began ■to gather. Selections by the Nelson Garrison Band helped to while away the time until the Matangi drew alongside the wharf. The bandsmen disembarked and formed up behind the Nelson Pipe Band, which led the procession. and the Nelson Garrison Band. The banners of the various bands added a touch of colour to the procession. The entry of the bands into Ipelson could almost be described as triumphal, and so long was'the line of cars that it was half an hour before the last vehicle had passed Saltwater Bridge. Southern bands arrived during the week-end, travelling overland, and the muster was complete this morning when the Marlborough Mounted Rifles Band arrived.