THE BAND CONTEST

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 42, 19 February 1927, Page 7

THE BAND CONTEST

OPENING ON MONDAY

Tfie greatest band contest ever held in tlia Dominion, and probably in the whole ot Australia, will open on Monday. Thirtysix bauds have entered, comprising approximately 1000 bandsmen. To find suitable accommodation for such a large body ot men has been difficult, but the committee reports that it has been satisfactorily completed, and every detail attended to, to ensure the success of the contest. On Monday afternoon there will be a citizens' reception to the visiting bands at the Basin Reserve, when the Mayor .will welcome the visitors to the city, me bands, will leave Post Office bquare at 1.45 p.m. and march via Grey street, Lambton quay, Willis street, Manners street, Cpurtenay place, and Kent terrace to the Basin Reserve. A splendid musical programme has been arranged for the Basm Reserve reecption, and during the afternoon the bands will be entertained at afternoon tea. ■ On Monday evening at the Town Hall tne contest will commence. The A and B grade bands will nieet in open competition in the hymn contest (own selection) for, the Mleod Cup.. This is the only occasion when the A and B grade bands will appear in open competition. The B .grade Test selection will be competed on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and the A grade Tests will be on Wednesday apd Friday evenings. Probably the most important event from the point of yiew of the public will be the quickstep competition at Athletic Park next Satur? day afternoon. This should be a' most brilliant function, At the close of the marching contest,the A grade bands -yrill play a massed bands' march, under the leadership of the musical judge, Mr. W. HalliweTL On Saturday, at the Town Hall, a final demonstration concert will be held, at which then-' championship medals, shields^ and other prizes will be presented. A novel item in the musical programme for the demonstration, concert will be a champion of champions contest, in which the winners of the various solo events will meet in contest against one another. A cornet player, for instance, playing against a bass player will certainty be a new' departure jn New Zealand conY tests. f •'. . ■v ■■ .-

A number of bands have already arrived in the city, others arrive to-day, and on Sunday a special train wijl arrive bringing bands from New Plymouth and other towns along the route. The plans for the Town Hall and for the stand at Athletic Park have now opened at The Bristol.