ATTRACTIVE WEEK’S PROGRAMME

Evening Star, Issue 19795, 20 February 1928, Page 4

ATTRACTIVE WEEK’S PROGRAMME

PROSPECTS DISCUSSED

(Special to the ‘Star.’J

CHRISTCHURCH, February 18

The annual gathering of bandsmen to engage in the struggle for musical supremacy—in other words for tho band championship of New Zealand —promises to bo very successful. The Christchurch Contest Committee has arranged a most attractive programme, and that it made a very wide appeal is evidenced in the great entry list, which contains the names of no fewer than torty-livo bands. This in itself amply demonstrates that band music still remains a very popular feature of the public life of the dominion on the recreative side of things. The attractive programme which has been published, providing tho festival patrons with a wealth ol detail concerning the competitions, has a striking front-page line—“ Mammoth Brass Band Contest.” But in these up-to-date times the term “brass” is a misnomer. Where to-day can be found a band with a brass instrument? The instruments provided by the goodwill of the public and by tho hard work of tho individual bandsman are of the finest quality silver plate. True, _tho substance that gives forth the ringing, rich tones has its basis in brass. The term “silver” band is nowadays very widely adopted by such musical organisations; consequently it were better in the future that n programme should bear the caption “Silver Band Contest.”

The Christchurch Contest Committee has left nothing undone to ensure success, and it only remains tor the weather to keep fair for the consummation of the desire so dear to every bandsman —a fine week and a right good competition. It is not for one moment expected that the forty-five entrants will put in an appearance. So many things happen in the life ol a band that attendance at the annual competition is never certain till an entrant finds itself on the convincing ground. It is known that several of the North Island hands have from various disabilities, financial and otherwise, not been able to make the trip to Christchurch, but the contest will not suffer to any extent. The very best of the dominion bands are attending, including all the lenders in last year's festival at Wellington. Christchurch people are enthusiastic concerning the splendid support given by Dunedin, and a victory for one of_ its hands in the big event would be hailed with delight, despite the popularity of the city’s own splendid Woolston Band, a several times champion, which this year is playing as well as at any time in its long and successful career. The present champion band of New Zealand, the Queen Alexandra’s Own (Wanganui), arrived here on Saturday morning at full strength and reported to bo in even better trim than last year —an indication of what its rivals have to face when the convincing play nights come round this week. The Queen Alexandra’s Own Band is under the conductorship of Captain George Buckley, an old Port Chalmers boy, who first came into prominence as a member of the erstwhile Port Chalmers Band. Later Captain Buckley was renowned as a soprano and B flat cornet soloist, on which instruments > ho won many dominion championships. For years he was associated with Mr James Crichton (conductor) and his famous Wanganui Garrison Band in its palmy days. Subsequently Captain Buckley founded and became conductor of the Queen Alexandra’s Own Band, and the winning of last_ year of the (New Zealand championship, under the

adjudication of Mr W. Halliwell, (he renowned English band expert, who came overseas specially to judge the contest at Wellington, was a crowning achievement in a life ot earnest endeavor in tho cause of band music m tho dominion.

Tim B grade contest does not promise to be too strong numerically, tho unavoidable absence of several goodstandard Keith Island bands causing a, hole in this section. Tho competition will bo keen, however, with two really good bands from Wellington to battle against the South Island entrants. Dunedin will be worthily represented by its City Tramway Band, which nas already played very promisingly on the contest platlonn. 'lbis created a imy favorable impression when playing through the streets of Christchurch on Friday evening. Its playing will bo followed with much interest here, where tho band has already become very popular. Tho judging this year is in the nauris of two well-known contest adjudicators. The full-band events will be judged T-.v Mr E. Jackson, of South Brisbane,jind the solo section by Mr W. _S. King, who acted in a similar capacity at tho Exhibition contest held hq Dunedin two years ago. It is interesting ;o record that both adjudicators hailed from Oumiirii. Mr Jucksou is u uacivo of the While Stone City, but left *t many years ago for Australia, where ha has since resided. Mr King is a native ol England, but his early band training and rise to prominence in the dominion band world took place while a resident of Oamaru. Mr King has judged fifteen New' Zealand_ contests, including those in connection with the last three big exhibitions Christchurch (1907), Auckland (1911). and Dunedin (1925). It. is admitted by all hand experts and musical critics that the A grade test number (‘Scheherazade’) is easily the most difficult selection chosen lor the annual contests, lot it is wonderful music, and cannot fail to make a gieat appeal to Christchurch audiences, who are critical musically, and dearly love a good band performance. The music is essentially of imaginative order, and really one can picture tho entrancing music and visualise the romantic stories from the ‘ 1001 Nights ’ which they depict.. Accuracy of reading and good technique are presumed in a first-class contest, but tho hand that combines these with a capacity for passionate playing and good coloring will win this contest. ‘‘Who will that be?” is tho remark prominently heard in Christchurch today. Whoever it may be, that band will require to play very well. To-day’s programme includes the solo competitions for E flat bass and bass trombone (morning), the reception and welcome of the mayor (Rev. J. K. Archer) to the bandsmen hi the afternoon in the beautiful Christchurch Gardens, the drum solo, and in the evening tho quartet competition and first test selection for the B grade bands. The tenor trombone event,s are down for Tuesday morning, the euphonium solo in the afternoon, and in the evening the A grade bands* will play tho first section of tiic ‘ Scheherazade ’ suite the ‘ Sea and Vessel of Sinbad ’ and The Narrative of Calender.’ The final section is to he played on Friday night, w'hile the second B grade Lest is down for Wednesday evening, tho hymn contest taking place on Thursday night. Tho R flat cornet championship (preliminary hearing) will take place on Wednesday afternoon, and the ordinary B flat cornet solo on Thursday morning.

February JO. Saturday was an ideal day lor the opening contest, and there was a great attendance at the trotting grounds, where the quickstep, C and B grade brass and pipe bands, was decided. There was a crowded barracks in the evening to hear the pipers’ selection, also the C grade selection. Sir Heaton Rhodes opened the contest in place of the Prime Minister, who was tumble to come south.

The pipe competition proved wonderfully successful. Seven splendidly equipped bands competed. Wanganui played seven drums, producing great, effect, and won the quickstep and selection. The Southland Caledonian, the least successful, nevertheless gave a pleasing display. Regret was expressed that Dunedin’s fine pipe band was not engaged. Efforts are to lie made to get the pipers of the dominion to amalgamate in the general interest, with a view to running annual pipe championships ’ Pipe-major R. Thomson (Wanganui) wins the gold medal presented by Mr R. Mackenzie, Dunedin. A feature of the C grade playing waa the boys’ band of the 4th Cadet Battalion, Christchurch. Though beaten in the selection by Temnka, it was a surprisingly fine performance. St. Hilda and Kaikorai are putting in good practices, and the playing of each is highly spoken of by those who have heard them. Mosgiel was to the fore in the 0 grade quickstep, and there was never any doubt, the musical performance being superior. They scored 83, the 4th Cadets 72, and Temuka 70.