WEST COAST BAND CONTEST

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 May 1910, Page 3

WEST COAST BAND CONTEST

JUDGE’S REPORT ON SOLOS

Mr Wade’s report on the solos at Saturday’s contest was as follows: BARITONE. E. O’Brien (Grey Battalion) 92 pts 1 J. Williams (Reefton) 72pts. 2 W. Cosgrove (Brunner) 68pts. 3 (Grey Battalion), '‘Pretty Jane.’’—-Opens very prettily. Continues so, a little more iroedom would improve ut a tempo. Theina was most delightful and correctly phrased, tone production good. Vari I. correct and good tone, witii the exception of bar 12 ,when low notes wore missed. Vari II also going well, tongue was not clear at times, notably bar 15. Minor; Some of this was very fine, especially the first 11 bars. Cadenza was not as good as might be. I inale.—This player’s weakness "is in straight tongneingy which lie should cultivate. A promising player. Some of his work was fine.; tone good. Marks 02. J. Williams (Reefton), “Old Folks r.t Home.”— Bar 3; We got wrong notes on the firs'.*roup of semis and bar 8 was badly d ~c. Cadenza was fair only at

<\ mo many errors. Thcmn was well P j'tul and phrased correctly. Vari 1.lain broke badly at bar 8, much better after. Player lias a good range, but is not always sure of his intervals. Andante plays a good tone and phrases fairly well, bars 13 and 14 not interpreted correctly. Bolero played with spirit and makes a good close. Marks 72. W. Cosgrove (Brunner). “On the banks of Allen Water.” Andantine.—Opens with poor tone, at bar S lost a lot of time, very shaky about here, cadenza was mr. After that intonation suffered considerably. Closing cadenza was weak, high and low notes poor. Thcma was too tamo and phrasing was far from correct. Vari. I.—This was bettor, but you have not got a good range.' Vari 2.—Played with spirit and articulation fair. Andante

—7 on certainly lack style, and your first valve is sharp on “F.” Bolero was going well up to bar 15, when last group of semis were badly blurred. Finale was poor, many notes being obscured ; articulalion far from dear. A moderate effort only. Marks 58.

A. Fernandez (Grey Battalion), “N.ordisehe.”—lntonation is not good, cadeiv'a not always (dear. From expression player has lost control of his 15ns. Cadenza was very confused. Rent: You are playing sharp. The excitement would tend to cause that. Quasi Andante.—

This was all confusion, many wrong notes and intonation badly out; Yon must bo dreadfully nervous. Andante.Well, my dear follow, T cannot find any good points horn. 1 am sorry to say. You want a lot of scale practice; it would hnmovo your intonation very much. Many times yon had no idea what yon would not when jumping intervals of any distance. In Risolnto all such bars as 11 and 12 were very confused, the first quaver in each group not coming out. Marks f,4. euphonium solo. J. Williams- (Rooftop) 92p(s 1 !>. Holmes (Donniston) 80pts 2 W. Oroom.ngli (Grey Hailalion) 77 3 C. Qnarlcrmain (Grey Citizens) 76pls. ■I. Williams (Roefton), “Nordiseho.”— Opens well; fine tone. Cadenza was a fine effort. Got a little still' at expression. second cadenza was good, a little thin on npner notes. Allegro .and following Andante was a 'air interpretation; notes were correct, playing generally was safe. A little more expression and style would great I v improve you. Andante ■v'nv> three.- -This was very tastefully played until the upper “A” came in, which was forced and, of course, sharp. Risolnto: Opens out splendidly, one or two upper notes weak, but generally a ■'ino performance. Marks 02. 15. Holmes (Deimisto.i). “My Old Kentucky Homo.” Lento rather id iff and the crochet rests are too short. Cadenza not a success by any means. Andante- This was fair only. In the cadenza-in jumpiim- the thirds yon generally made a had him-, missed low G, rather an indifferent performance. 'hop 0 was also shaky. Tliema was a great improvement. Tone was good and phrasing also. Vari I. Yon

were in difficulties several times here. Vari. 2. You know as well as 1 can tell von (hat this was not salisfactory. Andante.- -This was very ’lively done up to Orandinso, where yon ,r ot too confused in groups of demi-semis. Bolero.- This was played very well, especially the dolce. Yon made a fair finish of a difficult solo. Marks 00. W. Grpenough (Grey Battalion),

“Gipsy’s Warning,” —Opens in 100 detached a style; too ‘tiff, no freedom about it. Cadenza was fair, hut your tone is hard ami dry; nothing velvety about it. Yon use the tip of the tongue too much and yon use it very forcibly. Vari I. notes were there, hut yon have

no tone. This movement is piano, and you played it at least forte, no refinement. No. 2.—The semis in cadenza were played slower than she quavers in the vari. How do yon account for that?

\ndantc.—Groups of semis were not cor■ect in time and why force off the last into of (ho phase? Only a fair performmce. Marks 77.

C, Qnarterman (Grey Citizens), 'Res Bluets,” —Faulty in upper register. The second strain should ho played in fourbar phrases; your phrasing was poor here. Vari I. too stiff and labored. Vari II made a had start, and yon should certainly not breathe *n bar 7. that was very had phrasing. Adagio : More refinement is wanted. Yon are too rough here and far too mechanical. Moderate: This was a little hotter, :ut yon lake very little notice of expression marks, the' piano being scarcely observed. Made a k i.r fin 7i of ah uneven performance. Marks V 5.

E FLAT .BASSES. J. Galbraith (Grey Battalion) 88pts 1 \V. Ellison (Reefton) GOpts .. ..2 These wore the only competitors. J.' Galbraith, “Lovely Night/’—Stal ls with (food lone. Cadenza , was nicely done, ilie second cadenza very good, the echo effect being well done. Tlienia was good np to bar 19 when you played R towards the close. Vari. 111. —’J his was not much to complain about. Vari. J1 — Several false notes came here, was better towards the close, ari. ill.- —Obis was very well done and player is nicely in tune to piano. Finale was a good finish to a very commendable effort. Marks 88. W. Ellison, “Carnival de Venice A— Tone rather puny at start. 'J lie moderate was played like 12/8 time, dotted notes being too short. Thema was hotter, tone was fair but playing is not artistic. Vari. I.—This was creditable, phrasing was commendable, but much of a sameness; not enough variety in your style. Vari. IT started very shaky. Tempo di Polka — This was too "much for you at any rate; yon did not play it; too many false notes. A very moderate effort. Marks GO. BB FLAT BASSES. T. Noble (Grey Citizens) 81pts .. 1 D. McFvor (Brunner) 80pts .. ..2 F. Sara (Eecfton) 77pts .. ..3 H. Backman (Grey Battalion) 76pts.. 0 D. Greauey (Hokitika) GOpts .. ..3

T. Noble, “Pilgrim of Love.”—Starts fairly well; rather measured. . Thema very poor start, 'the upper notes badly blurred at bar 2. But I cannot imagine anyone singing this sonc like this; awfully mechanical. Vari 1 and JI was fair technique, but though you'are a shade in front of previous performers still there is ample room for a good man. Tempo di Polka. —This is not lempo di Poka, it is too slow. Taken all together it was a safer' performance than any of the others, but none were good. Marks Cl. D. Mclvor, “Sacra /cl L’Ardorc.” —Got wrong note last note in first bar. quavers at bar 7 too hasty. Allegretto low G notes were very vague and from a tempo the E flats were verv shady. Tone was fair, but not enough of it. Intonation not always safe. Marks 80. F.' Sara, “Spring Solo.”— Biggest trouble is your phrasing;' you were breathing twice in every bar‘. almost in the opening. Allegretto was hotter, but this i was far from satisfactory; for instance in_ the semi-quaver runs you breathed twice in

the middle, mid of course you should not breathe once. The three burs and. a-half before a tempo should all be, one phrase; only a moderate effort. Marks 77. H. Backman, “Zehdbia.”—Fair start, but failed at upper notes later. Andante was fair, the chief trouble being your time. For instance, bar 27 was only three beats instead of four. Same in the allegretto at bars 39 and 41 were too short oil rests. Finale many faulty notes. A very moderate effort. Marks 76.

D. Grenney, “Rosy Morn.”—Got a wrong note second bar E for G. Not sufficient control cf instrument, many false notes. In the Lento you were off file pitch first four bars. Could you not hear them vibrating? This will never win you the medal. Vari I fair for you, but you smashed the top A. What did you think about it? la next Vari. 100 many wrong notes. I won’t sav anything about it. In the minor you still had that husky lone; your intervals are not true; very poor intonation. Persevere. Marks GO. ’ THE TEST MARCH. First pri c £2O and cun presented by Messrs Myers and Co., Wellington. Second prize £lO, third prize £5. A gold medal to be presented to the Drum Major of I lie Band awarded the highest military points. On Saturday afternoon i lie march ‘Madcap” was played in Victoria Park, in the presence of a considerable number of citizens and visitors, but the takings at the gale were not up to previous records, doubtless due io the memorial services of the previous day and other :ea sons. However there was a good deal of interest taken in the march, which prov■d to be a success for Iho Grey Battalion Band, the following being the order of merit:

Grey Battalion, 05pts .. .. 1 Donniston, 83pls 2 Hokitika Municipal, ’iSpts .. ..3 AGGREGATE TEST MARCH. The following is ‘ho combined dccii ion :

Grey Battalion : Band started off well, f got no side drum first four bars. Baud is playing very well Here; baild is fairly well balanced and is fair for time. Side drum improved later, but bis drum js too slack. Still lie plays bis part fairly" well; second time through orncts were very weak at 22, etc. "In playimr in front of me, baud was smart and trombones wore not too prominent and they were fair for tune. Bass also did good work. Marks were fairly well noted. Drums were best so far. Pdarks 05. Itaimislon ; Another poor start. Perhaps the cold has something to do with it all. Only one baud lias started decently so far. Band ks belter now, but cornets do not work u>u well together; side drum is very slack ; no hope of getting the modal, my buy. with drum like that ; bass drum also is not braced up properly. Soprano is a <>ood man, doing well. Band is now .-bowing up better, good (one and fairly smart : balance is fair. In the unison passage in trio band was out of tune. A jlmml liorn.l think, is the-worst offender. Played very smart in front of me. Soprano does well; band s fair for balance. .Marks tB3.

G'rey Citizens.- Weak i-fart. Fide drum not close enough with iiis roll. L'or!iel ;ill hut failed at bars 51. ole on rem'jit. nl trio dolled notes nt liars 30 and 52 too detached. Middle of hand is weak, you lark energy. In ,, laying in front, of me hand pulled up wonderfnllv. J!ass was pood ; euphonium also si nek well to his part. Soprano was weak at times. Finish of hand was very loose, apparently "11 did not hear the whistle; hand was fairly tuneful which was a redeeming feature, and attack was fail'. Marks 78.

Reofton. Hand opens very slinky; cornets arc week. No side drum, at "least 1 don’t lieav one. At irio soprniio \vas very wobhlv. Don’t lie afraid : have a go rt K. Don’t he afraid to blow.’At rtart rvrain mat-tors were worse, boys. ’Band

was iiwfully loose. Win- don't you use voiir fondues and !!<••( the quavers smnrf"i'. I don't hear bass trombone. J'and ; s ivt well {unci. Trombones jto very harsh. I'lntry into trio far from neatQuaver passage for bass trombones and baritones is not ton<rued properly. Some arc pushing the notes. Band appears weak in <orn -, t section. ]Jotter in tune than last land slbditly, and not as many errors. Marks 74. 'l'he Dvnm Contest (bass and side) was won by the Orev Battalion, there being only two competing hands. THE TEST SELECTION. First prize £SO and set of 25 music stands, also gold r.iedal presented by T. E. Coafes, Esq. to the Conductor of tire successful competing baixl. Second prize £2O. Third prize £lO. -In ilie evening the Opera House was well filled to hear the Test Selection, ".Memories of the Past," whidi was inmictcd for by si\' bands and proved very •nteresting. . All the bands engaged had evidently practised well. The result was never in doubt," however. Roof ton beituc •mdoubtedlv the best. The following is

the r n sult: Ttooflnn (Mr A. Sutherland) .. .. 1 Ifokitika 2 Grey Battalion .. .. 3 AGGREGATE IN MUSIC ONLY. .Grey Battalion .. 312 Reckon .. . ..208 Ilokitikn 208 Denniston 199 Grey Citizens .. .. 188 Brunncr .. .. .. 187

Reef ton.—Starts well. All rhould leave the first crotchet together at bar 4. Hand was loose 19 and 20 and last bar; all instruments did not release together. Euphonium solo; Hass out of tune at bar 1. Euphonium does well. Allegretto.— This movement was well played; band is tuneful. “Allen Water” played very tastefully. “Plough Bov" Hand makes a mod entry. Everything is going well here. Finish was smart. Lent*)'close of this, baritone was weak. Made bad break or two. “The lass with a delicate air.” All is going fines Yon arc doing well. All marks well done; good bass and in lime. “Sweet love good night." Good trombone myvement successfully negotiated; well done. Duet- cadenza was fine, best yet on this duet. Finale was smart and well worked up, certainly the best band to-night. Marks 133. Hokitika. —Host opening, so far and 'tuneful; bars 13 to 20 well handled. Euphonium solo- started well, repiano oart-got across a little. Middle of hand •s an improvement on what has gone before. Allegretto starts well and ,mn--1 in nos so; marks well noted; band very ■right. “Allen Water’’ rather too slow for my fancy; acepts also got a little loose. “Plough Boy.”—Makes a good entry. Horn is good from liar 11. Cornets out of tunc on pause at 18. Repeat strain a little unsettled amongst cornets. Finish was good. “The lass with a delicate air.”—First few bars a little out of

tune; got right later; from 27 the treatment and playing 'was fine. Duct cadenza euphonium let vou down a'few points here. Allegretto: Band pulled themselves well together hero and nnishod well. A little out of tune from 22 to 35; best finish yet. Undoubtedly the best band so far. Marks 134.

Grey Battalion: Rough start and first crotchet at bar four far too short. Baud is weak on sustaining, rail was only fair, better than last band though. Euphonium solo; This was nicely done by euphonium and accpts were fair for tune. Allegretto: Opens steady, but not in perfect tune. Soprano nice at entry. Band was over-blown at H. Why blow like this? That is not music. “Allen Water” was nicely played by cornet. “Plough Boy.”—This movement was creditable; tune was good here. Lento was nicely done and in tune, accents at 9 and It) nicely taken. Allegretto; Band plays well hoie. A little loose at 33. “Sweet Love, Good Night."—Trombone does very well indeed and band smpnorts well. Duet cadenza.-—Euphonium failed; cornet was good. Allegretto: Played very well up to repeat; from here it was not f, hardly enough difference between p and f. Bass solo was well done by cornels,etc., the accents on the long notes being quite correct. This movement was well played, but certainly got out of tune last bar, '•ut tour, and one solo iornet too prominent for good balance. Marks 127.

Brunner. —Opens together, but certainly over-blown by i orncts, and treatment of bars 13 to 20 very moderate, not in sympathy with each other. Euphonium solo: This started badly by soloist, (apparently nervous. Movement rathci unsatisfactory; too tame. Allegretto: started nicely, but again over-blown at if.

‘Allen Water”—Cornet dues well; rcepts wore tuneful and kept under. “Plough Bay.”—’l his was entered neatly and the hiving was fair to ''epent. 'the IT here was very rough and two bars were loose, bento: This was not well done at bar 9 and 1,0 wc got wrong notes by baritone and band was very much out of time here. Allegretto: Band was much better here: goes well to close, which was °oso on . leaving pause. “Sweet Love, Good Night.”—Trombone here was very poor; lost a lot of points here. Duet cadenza, was fair; vallier slow. Band made a good finish with the exception of being over-blown the last few bars. Marks J2l.

Renniston : What a burst on the first note. Why blow things up like (his; it was like an explosion ; hand steady down alter a few liars; rail was very unsettled and basses out of tune. Euphonium >»!o started later euphonium got a bar ahead with cornet and for a time confusion reigned. Allegretto: Your pianos are not soft enough; fortes and double Tories are-too loud; you can blow; yon "ot awfully rough towards the close' of this movement. “Alien Water” wag very much better than some of your previous worky “Plough Boy” : This was fair nliiyiii": you get, loose at times. Lento— Now this is a lullaby and you wore too fast and bars 9 and TO were all confusion owing to the imrrv.' Allegretto: This was fair up to bar 25, when second fiuuel was across with cornel. “Sweat Love. Good Night.’’- -B"ss is very wobbly: .not at all safe. Trombone was fair until bar 19, when he appeared nervous. Accpts wove fair. Duct cadenza was very good. Last movement i t aids well and soprano d*»!u* r " , ond work. Bass solo; The cornets, etc., were ••atiiev tame, the long notes not beiu- accented. They ■'houh! lie, though no accent is there. Marks 116.

Crey fit i/ns.—-Opens well. Crotchet at 8 should le longer; rail at 19 ratlmr confused in horns, etc. Euphonium solo accpls are far too loud and liass out of tune at har 4. Condiietor singing. This is very oliied ionahle. Allegretto: Soprano ''•‘ds at his tit-hit hand, is on the rough side. Cornet was nice on Ids endenra. Andante: Cornet .does net phrase his solo proum!": surely ym know ‘On the Hanks of Allen Water!” “The Plough Boy" was very poor, especially hy ironihones at Pin Mossn. Hand was far 100 ■hurt on lie* accented crotchets, and bars 7 >a. 57 and 38 were lot 'dear. Lento— Was very creditable. Allegretto: This was fair up to liar £7. when the hand ha i a vei v rough style, and why separate the crotchets, so much. Andante;

! rui"l">ue was poor, very amateurish; iiwufllv |>°r'k'\'. Fanry ?>l!iyin<r "SwoM r ovn Good Nirlit" li!<o this. B!ip would say "finod-liyo," I think. Duct radenza was good. All' I, j,'''c , i I'i was fair up io reDPat, wbon soprano was weak: from hass solo {]\c> accpf. was not kopt Si'oina; by r.'orp.").c '. fie. I'ass was fair; tendency to "'"L roiiifli, !;>!-[ tlir-no :ars wcra dotacheel lav too jiincli; must I avc ltiwn a quaver •"«t hntwoen each nolo, which, ofconrsn, should not Iio: only moderate performance; band got rough and out of tune. :\lar,';s 1.19, ' '

At Ihe close of the competition His Worship the Mayor ste.,)pcd forward and presented (he two handsome otins, holh >(' wl'ich had been r>«iinOf.l l>y the Groy ftattalion Bind, In Mr A. Sullivan, the conductor, end complimented him on the success of his hand, which lie said lie understood would have thou' name on. graved on the Trotting Club's Shield and which he hoped (hoy would strive to keep in Hi oil" possession. JTo also presented the medals to the Hhor winning comnetjtors and referred tjiem to the Secretary for their .cheques. He culled for. cheers '-T the Contest Committee and for tTie Wd-wor'-finir secretary. Mr F. W. Keddell. which were heartily < f iven, and the • 'lO contest came to a close.

Music. Drill. Ttl. Grey Battalion .. 05 79 164 Denniston .. 03 72 155 Hokitika 74 77 151 Grey Citizens .. 78 07 145 Brunner .. u6 73 139 llceftou .. 70 63 133

C'OI (Fnc WHINED AC hiding nuisic SGBEG/ and rli iTE •ill). CilTV Battalion .. rrn 1 Hokiti ka . 235 9 Rcaftn n .. f 71 3 1 ).<>n ni slon . 271 <1 Br.iuin cr .. 260 a Oiov Citizens .. 255 6