BANDS CONTEST

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 February 1937, Page 2

BANDS CONTEST

B GRADE WINNERS.

[FEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.]

NELSON, February 16.

Twelve bands competed in the first B grade test selection at the Dominion band contest to-night. There was a small attendance because of the cold wind. No points were given, only the positions being announced. The Wellington bands were prominent, securing first and second places. The judge, Mr E. P. Kerry, said that he had been surprised at the playing of the B grade bands after their playing in the hymn test the previous night. The band placed first gave a creditable performance, which was both tuneful and artistic, and he had no hesitation in placing it first. It would compare favourably with B grade bands in Australia. The placings were as follow: — Institute Silver, Wellington .. .. 1 Wellington Municipal Tramway.. 2 Hastings Citizens 3 Greymouth Civic, " Christchurch Municipal, Westport Municipal, and Palmerston City Silver (equal), Cambridge Municipal, Dannevirke Municipal, Marlborough Mounted Rifles, Nelson Citizens, Takaka Citizens. The judges were pleased with the work of the soloists in the boys’ solo and flugal horn sections at the Dominion band contest at Nelson to-day. There was a large entry for the boys’ solo, and the results were only obtainable late this afternoon.

The judge, of the flugal horn section, Mr Kerry, said that the playing of the winner in the class was the finest he had ever heard. It was most pleasing to him to have met an artist in the true sense of the word. It was also the most artistic performance he had so far heard at the contest. He expressed pleasure at the large number taking part, and advised competitors to go in for deeper mouthpieces. Commenting on the quartets, Mr Kerry said that there had been some very varied interpretations, and the best two quartets in tone and tune had been beaten by this phase. Speaking of the B Flat solo, Mr T. Goodall said that the playing had been very poor, although the test piece was not hard. The greatest fault right through was lack of tempo. It was supposed to be taken very resolutely and determinedly, but instead it was given very quietly. Results of solo sections were: — Quartets —Westport Municipal SO points, Woolston Brass No. 1 77 points, Woolston No. 2 75 points. Boys’ Solo—Lloyd Lee (Te Awamutu Municipal) 91 points, H. Croucher (Hawera Municipal) 89 points, R. Francis (St. Kilda) 88 points, D. Christianson (Greymouth Municipal) 88 points, P. Glen (Kaikorai) 88 points. Flugal Horn —R. Ward (Institute Silver, Wellington) 86 points, G. Lowry (Timaru Muaicipal) 76 points, A. Anderson (Wanganui Garrison) 74 points. B Flat or BB Flat Bass Solo —C. S. Hansen (Taranaki Regimental and’ Municipal) 86 points, E. Henwood (Woolston) 83 points, A. Spencer (Queen Alexandra’s Own) 82 points.

MARCHING COMPETITION. NELSON, February 17. Nelson is thronged to-day with visit; ors for the official welcome and garden party this afternoon to the bands taking part in the New Zealand contest. Nineteen bands will compete in a marching competition through the streets, on the way to the official ceremony. The weather continues fine, and there are warmer conditions today, favouring the outside fixtures. Judging the euphonium'B flat amateur cornet solos is proceeding. A large number of entries is carrying the morning competitions well on into the afternoon. The A Grade’s first test, “I Masnadeiri,” will be held tonight. LATER. Two large solo classes were judged this morning in the bands contest. Mr Kerry said that he could claim to know the set euphonium piece, as he was a pupil of the composer, . and played it twice a week for six years. He criticised the playing of the cadenza, and said the thing was lacking in introduction and theme, which required warmth of tone and colour. ,The result was as follows: — V. Williams (Wanganui Garrison) 90pts. 1; H. Cotton (Nelson Garrison) S4pts., 2; J. Smith (Port Nicholson Silver) 82pts., 3.