PERCUSSION BANDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 49, 26 August 1940, Page 5

PERCUSSION BANDS

EDUCATIVE VALUE

TEACHING THE CHILD

Although percussion bands are regarded by some people with lofty disdain, and thought by others to constitute just another method of releasing surplus energy, they have, for the child at least, a real educative value, according to Dr. Frederic Staton, of London, adjudicator <tf the Wellington Competions Society's festival, speaking at the Town Hall on Saturday night after two demonstration items had been given by Miss Stubbings's percussion band, of Masterton. Smartly attired in cream silk uniforms, the youthful children of the band, about 25 in number, gave an unusual and competent performance.

"The percussion band has a very great educational value," said Dr. Staton. "It teaches discipline, first of. all, and it teaches confidence. I wonder if you have ever realised what a lot of confidence it requires of a child of, say, six years of age to wait carefully through four silent bars and then come in with the utmost confidence with a rap on a big drum? I wonder if you have ever tried to play a triangle? It looks easy, but it is not very simple, as you generally find that at the moment you want to give it a tinkle it is spinning round the other way. (Laughter.) "But, in addition to these things, the band teaches team work. You might have noticed that the children were looking very carefully at the beat. Well, as we all know, there are a lot of older musicians in choral societies who never look at the beat. (Laughter.) "One of the most valuable things which the band teaches a child is to count through silence," said Dr. Staton. "It is very difficult for a lively, healthy child to wait, for moments of silence to a child are like eternity* They are all happy when something is happening. To get a child to wait patiently over five or six bars is a very difficult job." Dr. Staton said that he hoped the visit of Miss Stubbings's band would result in a number of bands entering for the competitions next year, because they could be attractive to watch, very attractive to listen to, and very valuable as an educational medium for the children. The president of the society, MrBarton Ginger, thanked Miss Stubbings for bringing her band down for the festival. It is announced that the Wellington Symphony Orchestra has decided to donate another valuable silver cup for competition next year in the violin section. It will be known as the Ava Synions Memorial Cup. The programme for the evening included, in the main hall, a number of winners of classes during the first week of the festival, in addition to recall artists taking part in the finals of various sections. Mr. Bay Trewern, winner of the grand opera contest in 1936, sang two items, including Gounod's beautiful "Lend Me Your Aid." In the Concert Chamber the oratory was judged, the sections including oration, impromptu speech, and impromptu debate. Results were-as c follows:-:- 1 ~. Special Chappell Vocal Solo, man or woman, own selection (22 entries). —Miss Ruth Marchant, 1; Miss Audrey Lawson, 2; Miss Vesta Emanuel and Miss Jean Curtis, equal, 3. Very highly commended: Miss Joan Bovis, Shannon; Mrs. Edna Dearlove, Te Aroha; Miss Valeric G. Lewis, Napier; Mr. Clair Shirriffs, Ashhurst. Highly commended: Miss Eirene Halbert; Mr. Ernest Gardner. Commended: Miss Muriel Bridle, Napier.; Mr. Thomas Morrison, Johnsonville. .Vocal Solo, restricted class, men, own selection (14 entries). —Mr. George Morrison, Jc-hn-sonville (87 points), 1; Mr. Joseph Miller, Lower Hutt (85 points), 2; Mr. Lionel Bailley (82 points), 3. Very highly commended: Mr. P. J. O'Brien, Lower Hutt. Impromptu. Debate (4 entries). —Hutt Debating Society (Messrs. Giddings and Brown), (135 points), 1; Hutt Debating Society (Messrs. Benton and Hart), (129 points), 2; Hutt Debating Society (Messrs. Benton and Scott), (127 points), 3. Oration (9 entries). —Mr. J. R. Scott (Hiftt Debating Society), (66 points), 1; Mr. G. Teward, Lyall Bay (64 points), 2; Mr. C. Hart, Hutt Debating Society (62 points), 3. . • Impromptu Speech (7 entries), Mr. Giddings (Hutt Debating Society), (64 points), 1; Mr. J. R. Scott (Hutt Debating Society), (60% points), 2; Mr. C. Spratt (60 points), 3. Very highly commended: Mr. D. Benton (Hutt Debating Society). Operatic Dance, 14 and under 16 (19 entries) .—Alexander Grant (84 points), 1; Ngaire Bynam, Lower Hutt (82 points), 2. Wellington ' Competitions Society's Elocutionary ScholaFship, 16 and under 21 (20 entries). —Miss Shirley King (154 points), 1; Miss Shirley Austin-Turtle (153' points), 2; Miss Joan Prendergast, Hamilton (152 points), 3. Very highly commended: Miss Joan Tlack. Highly commended: Miss Ngaire McNeely and Miss Patricia Trower, Petone.