43 YEARS A BANDSMAN

Evening Star, Issue 19197, 13 March 1926, Page 10

43 YEARS A BANDSMAN

m DAN BOYD Ai Queenstown this season, whilst enioving a rest holiday, a ‘Star’ reporter met Mr Alex. Fraser, the builder there, and in the course of conversation this veteran bandsman, who has been the rallying-point of music in his district for a lifetime, mentioned that Mr Dan Boyd, one of_ the old and trusty players of the Kaikorai Band, commenced his study of brass at Queenstown, and the suggestion was made that a “ write-up ” of Mr Boyd’s career would bo interesting. The idea seemed quite worth while; hence this article, the facts of winch are derived from sundry sources and verified in some particulars by the scrapbook entries which Mr Boyd consented to place at the disposal of the writer if he thought them worth while. “San,” as he is popularly called, ■was taken by his people to Queenstown in a bullock-dray when a child, and was brought up there. As a boy of ten, in 1883, he joined the Queenstown Band, then conducted by Mr Fraser. He had to stand on a box to reach the music with his eyes. His first contest experience was at Oamaru in 1884, and his next in 1885. Those were the days when band contests were hold in conjunction with Volunteer reviews. In 1885 Dan played with his band in a contest between Cromwell and Queenstown. Mr W. V, Siddall was the judge. Queenstown won. Contests were held at Invercargill in 1886 and 1887. At the 1337 contest Queenstown won with a fantasia called - Emira.’ The ‘ Maritana ’ contest was held at Queenstown in 1888. The Dunedin Engineers’ Baud was placed first, Invercargill City second, and Queenstown third. Kaikorai Band went up to compete, but had to stand down as Mr E. Stratton, the conductor,‘could not got away and no other conductor was avail able. Mr Boyd won the tenor horn solo at that contest—his first solo win. As the outcome of the Queenstown affair the Kaikorai Band challenged the Dunedin Engineers to play at Dunedin for £SO a side, and the Engineers won. The next contest was at Christchurch, and Oamaru Garrison won, conducted by Mr George Jones. In 1890 the Dunedin Exhibition contest was a big affair, with three judges. Oamaru Navals won. _ This was a great surprise. Much dissatisfaction was expressed in regard to the decision, and the bandmasters held an indignation meeting, but nothing came of it. Something uncommon also happened at the ‘ Eossini ’ contest at Dunedin in 1891. The Dunedin Garrison Band came through with the most points, but some points wore subtracted from its total, after the result was announced, on account of its having reeds, and Oamaru Garrison was placed first, Dunedin Garrison second.

la 1893; at Christchurch, Invercargill Garrison Bund Avon the * Verdi ’ contest. At the Invercargill' contest in 1894 the Kaikorai Band was awarded first place. The Invercargill Band secured most points, but was disqualified for playing a professional. At Tiinaru, in 1895, the Wellington Band Avon. The Oamaru Garrison Band Avon in the ‘ Tannhanser ’ contest at Dunedin in 1896. Wellington Avas again successful at Oamaru in 1897.

The competitions at Dunedin in IS9B were the first to brine; about the introduction of quartet playing. Wellington won in the band contest, and the Dunedin Engineers in the quartet. Christchurch was tho scene of tiio 1900 contest, when Wellington won, and at New Plymouth in 1902 Wellington won again. Two contests were held in 1900, Wellington wanning at Mastertnn and Wanganui being successful at Tiinaru. In that year tho New Zealand Band went to England. Tho 1905 contest was at Auckland. Ju 1907, at tho Christchurch Exhibition contest. Wan~ganni won the Wo tests. In 1908 the Kaikorat Band wont to Ballarat and scored highest marks ip one piece, hut went to pieces in the other. Dunedin had the contest in 1910 and in 1912, Invercargill had it in 191-3, and Auckland in 1914. Then the war, which was the cause of there being no contest until 1920. This was at Dunedin, and as Kaikorai won the people sent this band again to Ballarat, hut it was unsuccessful. The next contest was at Dunedin in 1923, then the Auckland contest of 192-5, and this year tho Exhibition contest at Dunedin. Mr Boyd has played at all those thirty-two contests, and has been in the winning band eight times. He has won nineteen gold medals, six silver medals, a trophy, and a silver-plated trombone. His record includes a winning quartet three times and a trombone trio, three times. Between his first and his last win there is a space of thirty-five years. Is there any other •New Zealand bandsman with such a consistent record ?