BANDS FESTIVAL

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 128, 23 February 1939, Page 13

BANDS FESTIVAL

Ashburton Silver Win B Grade OUTSTANDING PLAYING By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, February 22. With a margin of 21 points in the aggregate, the Ashburton Silver Band won the B grade championship, of which the second test was played tonight at the Dominion brass bands contest. “I must congratulate the winning band on its performance in both test selections,” said the judge, Captain h. r. Shugg. “Its playing was quite outstanding and I do not hesitate to say that it should be B grade no longer. He complimented all the B grade bands on their playing. Results of the B grade selections were:— Ashburton Silver, first test w points; second test 130; aggregate, 2u-’. Dannevirke Municipal, 110, 116,-31.. Feilding Municipal, 108, 121, 229. Christchurch Municipal, 109- 11*. 223 “ Wellington Boys’ Institute, 101, 118, 219 - • Taranaki Regimental, 104, 111, 215. Lower Hutt Si vic,. 105, 105, 210. Solo Sections. Enthusiastic praise was lavished by ■the' judge, Mr. James Dixon, on competitors in the E flat or EE flat bass solo section in the New Zealand championship band contest this morning. latest piece was “In the Deep, Deep Depths’’ (Ord Hume). . “M e have heard a great section this morning, said Mr. Dixon. “A lot of people despise old monster bass, but I got a .real treat out of this morning’s contest. It was a magnificent test, and there was ample opportunity for interpretation. The . winner (E Withell) gave a magnificent performance H. C. Unwin, who is placed second, had the biggest tone of all, but.he had faults I could not overlook. At the same time he is a magnificent bass player. Lae standard among some of the remaining players was so high that I have done an unusual thing in placing foui of them equal in third place. AU four were very good, and there was nothing to choose among them.” . , „ . , , The placiiigs were: E. Withell (Ashburton Silver), 01. points: H. C. Unwin (Wanganui Garrison). 90 points, n. JHattan (Port .Nicholson Silver), A. Spencer (Wanganui Garrison), L. G. Walker (Woolston Brass), D. Owen (Taranaki Regimental and New llym'outh Municipal), equal, 89 points; L. Hen wood (Woolston Brass), 88 points; H. Gracey (Woolston Brass), 87 points; A. S. P- Thorn (A.8.D.), 86 points; Laurie Jacobs (Wellington Boys’ Institute), 85 points; R. A. Rodgers (Kaikorai), 85 points; R. Scott (Wellington Municipal Tramways), 84 points; VY. Wilkinson (Feilding Municipal), 82 points. Toner Trombone.

Commenting, on the playing of “Brilliant” (Ord Hume) by competitors in the tenor trombone solo competition, the judge, - Captain Shugg, said that he was not tremendously impressed by the standard shown. The winner (A. Pearson) was quite good but not outstanding. Tlie placingn were: A. Pearson (Masterton Municipal), 89 points; J. 1. Clague (Matnmata Citizens), 86 points; H. ■ Croucher (Hawera Municipal), 8a points; J. Glennie (Wellington Boys’ Institute), 84 points; R. W. Miller (Bt. Hilda Municipal), 83 points; D. Smith (Geraldine District), 82 points; A. B. Marston (Christchurch Municipal), 81 points; W. O’Hara (Feilding Municipal), 81 points; A. Munro'(Wanganui Garrison), 81 points; R. Wood (Palmerston North Garrison), 80 pointe; A. M. Wills (Invercargill Civic), 79 points; M. W. G. Buckley (Napier Technical College), 7i points; W. Robinson’(Woolston Brass), 77 pointe; V. Blackett (Woolston Brass), 76 points; M. Anderson (Wanganui Garrison), 74 pointe. Placingg in the baritone solo were: —C. Sharp (Christchurch Municipal), 88 points, 1; R; V. Miller (St. (xilda Municipal), 87, 2; T. Fleetwood (Fort Nicholson Silver),. L. Curtis (Palmerston North Garrison), H. Cairns (Palmerston North Garrison), J. Simmonds (Wanganui Garrison), and W. Hickman (Taranaki Regimental and Now Plymouth Muuicicipal), 86 points, equal, 3. Next in order were: C. Smith (Timaru Municipal), 11. Johannes (Woolston Brass), R. W Willis (Pa-tea Municipal), and A. Wenslade (St. Kilda Municipal), 80, equal. 8. “I have not.been pleased with the playing,” the judge, Mr. James Dixon The test piece was “Serenata (Jenkins), and the judge remarked on the low standard of -the playing. I. was astounded- at the lack of Interpretation, he said. Cornet Championship. In the B flat cornet championship contest four competitors were recalled for the final. They were: V. Aldridge (Woolston Brass), I. Bassett (Green Island ' Municipal), W. Stevenson (Woolston Brass) and IL _ Simpson (Christchiirch Municipal). Neither placings nor points were announced. in order were J. A. Storrie (Invercargill Civic), 89; J. Favell (Wanganui Garrison), 88; L. Fox (Hawera Municipal), 87; E. Pheloung (St. Hilda Municipal), E. J. Smith (Geraldine District) and C. Gardner (First Battalion, Auckland Regiment). 86. . . . “I x have no complaints. 1 have never heard so many good performances in one session as I have thls ; afternoon, ’ said the judge, Captain Shugg. Corrected results of the B flat cornet solo,. amateur, decided last evening, are : D. Christensen (St. Kilda Municipal), 91 points, 1; F. Pheloung (St. Kilda. Municipal), 89 pointe, 2; J. Rennie (Timaru Municipal), 88 points, 3. Next,in order were J. Herd (Wanganui Garrison), 81 points, 4; V.’ -Aldridge (Wellington Brass) and J. King (Wellington Boys Institute). 86 points, equal, 5; I. Bassett (Green Island Municipal). 85 points, <; J. A.’ Storrie (Invercargill Civic), 84 points 8: E. J. Smith (Geraldine District), 93 points, 9; L. Broadmore (Whakatane Citizens) and A. Anderson (Wanganui Garrison), 82 pointe, equal, 10.