BRASS BANDS' CONTEST.

Evening Star, Issue 11434, 29 December 1900, Page 6

BRASS BANDS' CONTEST.

Tie band contest was continued at Christchurch yesterday, when the quartet, euphonium solos, and B flat cornet solos were disposed of. The judge expressed himself in the highest terms of the merit of "the playing and evenness of the performances. Result*:— Quartet.—Wellington Garrison No. 2, 175 points, 1; Port Chalmers Navals, 158, 2; Wellington Garrison No. 1, 143; South Canterbury Battalion No. 2, 135; Stanmore, 130; Kaiapoi, 120; Kaikorai, 115; Woolston, 110; South Canterbury Battalion No. 1, 105; Canterbury Engineers, 100. Euphonium Solos.—E. Smith (North-east Valley), 175 points, 1; J. O'Brien (Dunedin Navals), 170, 2; Bestall (Woolston), 160; J. Dephoff (Timaru), 155; A. Martin (Stanmore), 155; H. Woods (Stanmore), 150; A. Don (Kaikorai), 140; G. Turner (Invercargill), 140; W. Yeoman (Port Chalmers Navals), 130; D, Boyd (Dunedin Navals), 130; J. M'Carthy (WaihiJ, 120. B Flat Cornet Solos.—J. Parker (Wellington), 176 points, 1; W. H. Coombs'(Dunedin Navals), 172, 2: J. M'Connell (Port Ofcalmers), 160; L. Kerr (Kaikorai), 158; D. BWth (Canterbury Engineers), 150; J. Patterson (Kaiforav. 143; J. Cable (Port Chalmers Navals), i~j ' £• J - Chapman (Engineers, Canterbury), 130; E. Russell (Timaru), 130; J. Humphrey(lnvercargill), 123; G. M'Caa (Timaru), 117 ; P. Hatton, 113; R. Munro (Timapu), 95; J. Bean (Waihi), 90; M. Mara, 85. A. Raid, winner of the side drum competition, belongs to the Woolston Band.

THE TEST SELECTIONS. The 'Lyttelton Times' has the following unofficial comments on the playing of the optional selections: Invercacgill Garrison Band, Bandmaster Lieutenant Siddall.- The selection played by the band was an arrangement of ' La Favorite,' by D. Godfrey, one of that veteran's i^ 6 **' T ' lo arran g e ment opens with a fine fnll movement in 6-8 .time, which was well attacked by the band. The selection was a trying one, giving opportunities for testing the band all round. The inner parts were somewhat disappointing, and the rendering generally m the heavier work was a trifle stiff, but individual instruments stood out, the solo work being crisp and expressive, and generally good. The band was dead in tune throughout, save for a trifling exception by the trombone. The moderate movement, followed by the finale piu mosso, was splendidly played, the comet solo being true and brilliant, and the cadenza well taken, though the band rather rushed down the beat in taking up the theme. All round a really good performance.

Port Chalmers, Bandmaster T. M'Connell, selection an arrangement of'Oberon.' This band, which is a comparatively young one, gave a performance which for general excellence surprised even its friends. The performance lacked the finish of the Invercargill Band, but was nevertheless a worthy one. The attack in the opening movement was fair, though raggy at times subsequently, tune good generally, tone hardly as full as could be desired, solos generalTy well taken, the barcarolle and march being specially well played, trombone and £ flat comet stood out in solo work. Very fair' performance generally. North-east Valley Band, Bandmaster R. Cook, selection ' Souvenir de Wagner.' A difficult classical arrangement, almost beyond the capacity of the band. The attack was fair, but the" band generally sadly out' of tune almost throughout the selection. Heavier parts unconvincing. Some fair solo work, in which the trombone was prominent. Tone only fair. Band warming up towards the finish, and better in tune; tutti movement nicely taken, and finale showing great improvement. Performance generally only fair. •

Dunedin Naval Brass Band, Bandmaster J. Coombes, selection 'Tannhauser.' The selection is a trying one, of infinite scope and of high class, and was the test piece at the last contest held in Dunedin. A delicate opening; light and shade nicely marked; sustained cornet work very nice; some fine orchestral effects, in which tenor horns and euphoniums were heard to advantage; intonation not always perfect, and tone color perhaps a little sombre. Finale finely taken, attacE crisp and accurate, and phrasing good. A good, if a trifle uneven, performance of an exceptionally searching selection.

Waihi Band, conducted by Bandmaster Herd (Wellington Garrison Band), selection Round's 'Rossini.' Band nice and bright, but tone generally thin and intonation not always perfect. Finer parts somewhat lacking, heavier parts firm and satisfying, but color .all through too flashy. Some good solo work—baritone capital, but cornet disappointingly thin. General lack of expressiveness, but many good features for so young a band. Stanmore Brass Band, conductor Mr R. ,Trist Searell, selection ' Avoldo.' A characteristic Godfrey selection. Band's attack fair, intonation good, but tone somewhat flat, heavier passages somewhat uneven, but pianos nice, not much color, some good solo work. Finalo unsatisfying, band obviously " striving." Fair performance generally. Wellington Garrison Band, Bandmaster Herd, selection Owen's 'Rossini.' Band opened a trifle unsteadily, but soon settled down, playing briskly and confidents from thence out, beautiful tone and fine shading, perfect intonation and finer parts beautifully graded, euphonium a littlo unsteady in cadenzas, but B flat cornet and soprano playing in a masterly manner, trombone excellent, but somewhat tco showy. Phrasing accurate and expression and style fine. Grand orchestral effects, basses and middle parts beautifully toned, and finale spirited and strong. An almost perfect performance of a beautiful selection, and undoubtedly easily the best work of the night. Kaiapoi Band, Bandmaster Hoskin, selection ' Hcrold.' The band naturally suffered by comparison with'the immediately preceding one; but, nevertheless, for a young band gave a creditable performance. The opening was a little timid, the trombone being specially weak, but the band improved as it progressed, basses and inner parts good and some fair comet work, pianos rather weak, and tone somewhat. colorless, finale crisp and brisk. Woolston Band, conductor Mr H. Rossiter, selection ' Tannhauser' (Round). Like Dunadin Navals, our local band essayed Mr Round's best arrangement on Wagner's great work. The young Maoriland conductor has not had a long lease of Woolston, and this band's all-round attempt was a creditable one. The opening movement lacked finish and tone, and the B flat cornet work was good; euphonium for tone and soul admirable ; subordinate parts missing—too much top and end; a want of dash and feebleness in attack were the faulty characteristics of the band. Soprano E flat a trifle rough; euphonium admirable; B flat cornet tuneful, capital tone and no lack of confidence; basses and G trombone tuneful and honest—a want in the subordinate inner parts. Canterbury Engineers, Bandmaster Pooley, selection from Auber. A pretty selection, band opened fairly well, but tone throughout brassy and not massive enough; basses good, but inner parts disappointing ; intonation not always perfect; some fair piano passages, but not much feeling; good cornet work, and trombone very fair; , finale scrambly. Generally moderate performance. Elite Band, Bandmaster Heath, selection 'EI Dorado.' Attack rather uneven, some nice lighter parts, but tone generally colorless and little breadth shown ; fortes fairly crisp and neat, but crescendos rushed and accentuation exaggerated; trombone harsh and soprano too florid; absence of expression generally and band mechanical; middle parts nice and even ; finale excited.' Fair performance for a young and untried band. South Canterbury Battalion Band, Bandmaster Wolf,' selection arrangement of ' II Trovatore.' Opening good and bright, but intonation faulty temporarily, trombone very lurid; nice even middle parts, but lack of soul; euphonium good and cornet also, markedly in cadenza; fprte passages well phrased and clean, band playing well together and nice style; delicate passages nicely shaded, with some exceptions ; finale well "taken, crisp and clear. A really good performance, with a few curious unevennesses. Kaikorai Band, Bandmaster Stratton, selection Berlioz's 'Faust.' Quiet but effective opening, tone generally somewhat flat; band well together, basses good, bat Bghter parts rather florid; piano passages nicely shaded, but fortes brassy; phrasing in heavier parts indifferent lack of brilliancy.

generally and effects somewhat mechanical. Good all-round performance. Owing to the length of the selections it was a quarter-past midnight before the last band had finished playing. On last night's performances the v voice of the people, presumably with ite customary omnipotence, points to the Wellington Garrison Band being an easy first, with Invercargill and South Canterbury Battalion nest in order.