THE BLIND BAND

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 123, 20 November 1935, Page 5

THE BLIND BAND

TRUE MUSICIANSHIP

There could be no doubt as to the masterly musicianship of the members of the touring band of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind, which gave a return concert in the Town Hall last night, and no doubt, also, as to the appreciation of the audience, which was eagerly attentive and enthusiastic throughout the programme. The only detects in a particularly well-arranged, programme were the items by the massed bands which I might have sounded well in the open air. but in the comparatively conI fined space of the Town Hall served only to deafen the listener. Both the Port Nicholson Silver Band and the Band of the First Battalion, Wellington Regiment, who also took . part in the concert, entered into their playing with an energy and enthusiasm that was at times disconcerting. The most delightful number of the evening was a Dubois toccata played on the organ by Joseph Papesch. The blind organist must suffer from a peculiar handicap; even the most accomplished pianist or organist likes an occasional glance at his keys, and it must be extraordinarily difficult to work the organ stops when sightless. This number was much appreciated by the audience, although it applauded in the wrong place. _lt is an inspiration to others, as Dr. Alexander Gillies said in introducing Sir Clutha MacKenzie and the band to the audience, to hear what the blind can do in the direction of musical production, and Dr. Gillies remarked that when such a great handicap could be so successfully overcome in those directions his faith in human nature remained constant.

A pianoforte solo played by Julian Lee, aged 12, who is the youngest member oi the band, was enthusiastically applauded, and he certainly seems to have more than ordinary talent The cornet, which is a melancholy ining m the hands of an inexperienced player, appeared as a musical instrum,?nt ln £ duet by Allan Morton and Thomas Taylor, "Badinage." As regards musical sense and artistic feeling, the band is far in advance of the average. The most appealing of its numbers was a fantasia on "Cavallena Rusticana," though the audience whth"^ "Teddy Bears' pS," which was played in a lively and spirited manner.

Mr. J. M. McGuire, 8.A., LL.B., gave demonstration of Braille

nJJ^hJ w,ere numerous solo items and rm^in* by *maSSed bands' some rousing sea-shanties, and the proSeTbandf tW° itemS * the