N.Z. BANDS CONTEST

Evening Star, Issue 21036, 25 February 1932, Page 7

N.Z. BANDS CONTEST

B grade championship OAMARU MUNICIPAL FIRST HASTINGS SECURES TEST AGGREGATE [Pxb United Fbbss Association.] WELLINGTON, February 24. The B grade championship was decided at the band contest. The ten competing bands played the second test selection, ‘ Springtime,’ by Haydn Morris., Points were awarded for the first test, the second test, and the quickstep music. > „ , On the test aggregate Hastings heads the list, with Oamaru second, Nelson third, and Christchurch Municipal Band fourth. But the B grade championship, which is awarded to the band gaining the highest aggregate for the two test pieces and the music of the quickstep, was won by Oamaru, with Hastings second, and Nelson and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve third (equal). Results B GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP.

TROMBONE TRIO, Woolston „ (E. Williams, W. Lanham, W. Steere), 88 points ... ... 1 Port Nicholson Silver (J: Marshall, W. Matson, R. Owers), 87 points 2 St. Kilda Municipal , 83, Oamaru Municipal 82. The trombone trio, held in the afternoon, concluded all but the full band events. Only four trios took part, there being a large number of defections, no doubt due to the fact that the competition was too strong. Woolston were winners, and the Port Nicholson Silver party second. These played smoothly and with good taste. St. Kilda’s combination was not quite so good, rnd the Oamaru trio rather too fiery in style. Judge Kelly said he admired the trombone tone, and is was a good section. NOTES ON PERFORMANCES [Special to up 'Star.'] WELLINGTON, February 24. The B grade second test was held in the Town Hall this evening before a good attendance. The selection was the ‘Springtime Suite,’ composed by the modern writer, Haydn Morris, for the English championship at Belle Vue, won by the Besses of the Barn. The suite is a : musical picture, of an English spring, divided into three movements—the opening depicts rural England in the glories of spring; the second movement portrays a love story; and the third movement festive revels. The suite is very pretty, but beyond the capacity of the hands, whose playing showed a falling away compared .with the ,‘ Undine ’ opera selection on the first night. The bands appeared in the following order:—

An impressive feature of the second test for B grade bands was the showing of ’ the Dunedin Tramways Band, which was beaten by one point only. Its performance was the more creditable, considering that the ‘ Springtime Suite ’ is much more, difficult than the first test. The Dunedin Band had not the best of luck in drawing number 1 place, but Mr Kelly has a sound method of judging, and, no matter whether first or last, a band has an equally good chance of a fair hearing. Mr Kelly specially mentioned the fine opening movement of the Dunedin Tramways, giving the impression that the band might even have gained first place for the evening but for lapses of intonation in the difficult middle movement (the ‘ Love Song ’ number'). The bands lacked buoyancy in this movement, and the judge, who is of a humorous turn, reminded bandsmen that they did not sing a love song dolefully. The selection opened with the depiction of spring, ‘ Dawn of Spring,- and he expressed, the hope that they did not think the second movement (the love episode) meant “ death of spring,” as quite a lot of the playing might suggest. He referred also, to the difficulties ol the second test, and considered that the B grade standard was good. St. Kilda have been putting in good practice, and the bandsmen are ready to give of their best to-night. As the judge on the first night made mention that competition wag keen and close, the fate of the championship depends on the best effort in the ‘ Honour and Glory ’ suite. Woolston and Port Nicholson, of course, are sure also to play well. A gold medal was given to perpetuate the memory of Ira Goughian, the fine young soprano soloist of Kaikorai, who died a few months ago, and it is fitting that the first winner of the trophy is Eric Williams, the brilliant and youthful trombonist of Woolston Band. The medal went to the competitor ginning the highest marks in solo competition. The judge (Mr Kelly) gave Williams 98 out of a 100. The Bud Wills Memorial Shield was ■won by the well-known dominion cornet champion, W. Stevenson. Bud Wills, a splendid cornetist himself, the son of Mr A. Wills (conductor of the famous old Hibernian Band, Invercargill), died at an all too early age, while solo cornet player for St. Kilda. The weather has been broken and wet, and anything but pleasant to the visiting bandsmen. Dunedin City Tramways.—A good opening. The pastoral character and lyric beauty associated with spring were fairly well described, but the playing was somewhat heavy at times. Miramar.—A heavy performance. The spirit of the work was not caught in any part, and the rendering was generally laboured and ponderous. Oamaru Municipal.—This band also painted the picture in rather heavy colours. Delicacy of touch and light and shade might have been better. Here and there good band work was shown. The bandsmen seemed to revel in the heavier class playing. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (Wellington).—This was only a fair performance. The band was tested severely in technique, and the intonation in the harmony parts suffered. On the whole, however, it was a fair performance for the grade. „ . , , Masterton Municipal. This band failed ffi the intricate part work,

though it must be said that there were nice interludes, particularly in the love story movement, and care was exhibited. Generally,'commendable woik alternated with weakmoments. Nelson Garrison.— This band opened the best so far. The technical difficulties of the first movement were overcome well. The soloists succeeded fairly well, but some faulty intonation crept in in the harmony instruments. A good band rendering, though falling short of painting the musical picture Hastings Citizens.—This band opened the suite really well, making quite a success of the first movement. In the second phase, the love song, the playing was expressive and more in keeping with the spirit of the beautiful music. A performance of good standard, indeed, the outstanding one of the section to this point. Carterton.—The opening movement was meritoriously played, its excellencies outweighing minor deficiencies,. The spirit of spring was well caught, and the playing buoyant. The second movement found the band out, how. ever, too many deficiencies creeping m Stratford Municipal. —'Considering that this band contains about a dozen juniors under sixteen years, the performance exceeded anticipations. Difficulties of intonation were overcome well and the rendering was very creditable the circumstances. Christchurch Municipal.—This band exhibited good tone. Some points of detail were not clearly defined in the first movement, and the treatment was on the heavy side, though pleasing. The second phase (the love story) was notable for good euphonium work, but the trombone was unsteady. 1 ittalls of intonation troubled the band; otherwise there was nice treatment and a fair standard of playing to the end. The judge announced the points tor both evenings, disclosing Hastings first in the second test and first in theaggregate for the two Dunedin yity Tramway were second in the ‘ Springtime ’ suite, but their points on the first evening were too low for a high position in the aggregate. Oamaru Municipal and Nelson Garrison tied tor third place to-night, then followed Christchurch Municipal. In the aggregate Oamaru were second, Nelson third, and Christchurch Municipal fourth.

H--p 01 V IH Q* Q •W -p Q Band, .2 fa U a XIX ’ll -p 0 H Oamaru Municipal 121 123 68 312 •Hastings Citizens 122 125 62 309 Nelson Garrison ... 118 123 64 305 Royal Naval V.R. 121 117 67 305 Dunedin Tramways 115 124 65 304 Ch’ch Municipal ... 120 120 64 304 Maeterton' MuncpI. 123 116 63 302 Carterton MuncpI. 116 116 66 298 Stratford MuncpI. 117 119 61 297 Miramar Silver ... 119 115 60 294