BRASS BAND CONTEST

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 127, 23 February 1938, Page 12

BRASS BAND CONTEST

High Praise For Flugel

Horn Winner QUARTET PLAYING COMMENDED Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, February 22. “The finest performance he had heard in his life” was the praise bestowed by Mr. E. P. Kerry, adjudicator in the New Zealand brass band championship contest, on the performance of R. Trounson, Wanganui Garrison, in winning the flugel horn section today. He had heard nothing like it, even in England and Australia, he said. . ’ The contest was continued to-day in brilliantly fine weather, with solo competitions and B grade first test selection at night. Mr. Kerry was critical of the bass trombone selection, but commended the playing in the quartet section. Results are as follows:— Flu gel Horn. (Judge: Mr. E. P. Kerry.) Selection: “The Francis Polka” (Sordillo). R. Trounson, Wanganui Garrison, 91 points 1 L. E. Ormrod, Port Nicholson Silver, S 9 points 2 G. Lowry, Timaru Municipal, 80 points 3 The performance of the winner was the best he had .ever heard, commented the judge. The trouble with the majority of competitors was bad articulations. In fact, only one player—the winner— was really free from that fault. Too many players seemed to forget that the flugel horn belonged to the horn family and not the cornet. Bass Trombone. (Judge: Mr. E. P. Kerry.) Selection: ‘-Triumphant’’ (L. A. Font). L. A. Willicombe, Dannevirke Municipal, 75 points ’ 1 B. Redmond, St. Joseph’s Orphanage, 70 points 2 E. Wells, Port Nicholson. 84 points .... 3 “The piece is not suitable for the bass trombone, and should never have been selected,” said the judge. Under the circumstances the competitors had performed creditably. Quartets. (Judge: Mr. E. P. Kerry.) Selection: “White Heather” (Hume). Port Nicholson No. 2, 88 points ■ 1 Palmerston North Garrison No. 1, 86 points '.............. 2 Timaru Municipal, SI points 3 The main thing, said the judge, was to obtain balance. The brass band tone was not wanted in quartet playing. Competitors should strive for balance and not individuality. Side Drum Solo. (Judge: Mr. T. Goodall.) C. Bell, Palmerston North Garrison, 97 points 1 K. Schou, Dannevirke Municipal, 95 poiats 2 J. Lees. St. Kiida Municipal, 93 points ’ 3 The judge said the piece was very difficult, and those who went through tt without making a mistake did well. He emphasised the importance of rhythm. Bass Drum Solo. (Judge: Mr. T. Goodall.) R. Brown, Port Nicholson Silver, 96 points 1 A. Kilmartin, Auckland Artillery, 94 points -2 C. H. Frew, Ashburton Silver. 93 points 3 The piece was not very difficult, said the judge, and the worst fault was fluctuation in tempo. Graduation in tone colour was not very distinct with some drummers, though it was noticeable that some tried to do it and achieved good results. Boys’ Solo, Under 17 Years. (Judge: Mr. T. Goodall.) R. Francjs. St. Kiida Municipal. 88 points ' 1 D. Christensen, St. Kiida Municipal. S 7 points 2 H. Croucher, Hawera Municipal,. 86 points ~ 3 The judge said the standard of playing was a great improvement on last year’s, and the points awarded were well deserved. It was difficult to separate some of the boys ip the SO marks. B Grade First Test. (Judge: Mr. E. P. Kerry.) Selection: “Nadeslida” (Thomas). Institute Silver (Wellington) 1 Dannevirke Municipal 2 Christchurch Municipal 3 "There has been some very close playing to-night,” said the judge. “The first four bands were within a very close margin and the positions may easily be reversed at the next night’s playing.”

' STREET MARCH

In the street march bn Monday the Boys’ Institute Silver Band, Wellington, gave a fine performance to gain fifth place with’ 54 flints, only 24 points behinds the winners. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMME Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, February 22. To-morrow afternoon the B flat cornet championship will be decided on the Showgrounds, and in the evening the first A test will be decided. The climax of the competitions will be the military .fttep on Saturday afternoon. This will be followed by a massed bands item, in which all of the 17 bands will, take purt„ Special arrangements have been made for reservations on Saturday afternoon.