QUICKSTEP DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 47, 24 February 1934, Page 15

QUICKSTEP DAY

BAX.D CONTEST PIXALE

A BRILLIANT SPECTACLE

Quick-step Day, the final day of the 1934 New Zealand Champion Brass Band Contest, dawned bright and fine, and from noon onwards, there was a steady stream of spectators to Ath ; letic Park, where the A and B Grade quickstep competitions are', being decided this afternoon.

The competing bands, 22 in number, marched through thocity prior" to being transported in special trams to the Park, and made a fine spectacle as they marched past at two-minute intervals, each band playing a stirring march. • The contest rules this year have been amended to permit each'band to play a march/of its own selection-instead of a set piece chosen by the Band Association. This added variety to today's events, and is an innovation which .can well be adopted at future contests from the point of view of popular appeal. The points obtainable for music have also been amended this year, the possible, points being 150 for music and the possible drill points 200. This brings the musical side of the contest more into line with the drill seation.;ln previous contests music played"a much less important part in deciding the winner of the quickstep. Captain Buckley is the musical judo-e. today and the military judges are Colonel E. St: 'J. Beere, D.S.O'., V.D., Staff-Sergeant-Majors W. L.■' Stewart and J. S. King, and Staff-Sergeant G. F. ;McCulloch. : . ' • . . , . A HIGH STANDARD. ; The marching and playing in both competitions up to, the time "The Post went to press were ,of a high standard, and the spectators, who numbered many thousands, were being treated to a thrilling afternoon's entertainment. .■.•'.•■ The following marches were chosen ,J grade bands:—Palmerston North, Mephistopheles" (Eimmer); Port Nicholson, "Victor's Return" (Simmer); Wanganui Garrison, "Roll Away Bet" (Hume); Timaru, «20th Century" (Hume); Queen Alexandra, "20th Century" (Hume); Auckland, «The Cossack" (Eimmer); Hawera., "0.E.8."; Nelson Garrison, "Eimutaka" (C. Trussell); St.- Kilda, "20th Century" (Hume); Wellington Trams, '.'2oth Century" (Hume); Invercargill, "20th Century" (Hume). B grade bands, with their march choice, were:—Christchurch Municipal, "Farewelling Comrades" (Rim-, mer); Jupp's Silver, "The ■ Challenge" (Calvert); ' Masterton, "Invercargill" (Lithgow); Boys' Institute, "Nutgrove" (Hawkins); Southland Battalion, "Victor's Return" (Eimmer); Wellington Artillery, "The Challenge" (Calvert); Ist Battalion, Wellington, "Argondob" (Eimmer); AVestport, "The Elephant" (Hume); Danncvirke, "Victoria" (Lithgow) ; Hastings, "Mount Egmont" (Trussell); Gisborne, . . "Caractacus" (Layman). , . '

The prizes won at, tho contest will be presented in the Town Hall this evening, following a demonstration concert by the prize-winners. \