BAND CONTEST

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 13094, 16 February 1937, Page 6

BAND CONTEST

TIMARU WINS HYMN TEST. JUDGE’S CAUSTIC ADVICE TO CONDUCTORS. ‘SPEND TO-MORROW GETTING BANDS IN TUNE." il’reso Association! NELSON, Fob. 15. Nineteen A and B grade bands competed on a level in the hymn test to-night and . the performance of Danuevirke proved that the smaller (lands can make a worthy showing in a hymn against more notable combi nations.

A crowd of over 2500 gathered at Trafalgar Park, the weather being clear, with a cool wind, The judge placed the first three bands as follows: Timaru Municipal 138, 1 ; Dannevirke Municipal 130, 2; St. Kilda Municipal,-129, 3. "I would advise conductors to spend *o -morrow getting their bands in tune,” remarked the judge in giving his decision. "I have never heard bands so damnably out of tuno as somef of those I have beard to-night. 1 did not come here to pull you to pieces. .1 know no bands in N.Z. and it doesn’t matter to me who wins.”

Commenting on the test afterwards, Mr. Kerry said that the -programmes were varied. The. main factor was imtunefulness . and unbalanced playing. The band that won bad won handsomely. It had the best tone avid was the tiest balanced. It played the hymn more in keeping with a. hymn than any other band. A hymn should not be a dirge. Bands out of tune would not be considered in any way whatsoever.

He added that lie had taken phrasing into consideration. Some of the bands made* bigger gaps than one would make in singing. A majority left the ends of phrases too abrupt instead of tapering them off. Both judges were disappointed at to-day’s solos.

Mr. Kerry said bo considered the soprano cornets poor, and expressed disappointment. "E Flat bass solo was interesting, hut not high class,” said the judge. Mr. Goodall. "The solo was easy but many competitors treated it too easily and the mistakes made were numerous ond unnecessary. Three players stood out a little above the others, but there was not a really bad pei formance. The most noticeable fault was articulation. Tho articulation of tlio three leading players was very good right through.” #

Tenor Trombone Solo.—H. Croucbcr (liawera Municipal) 79pts.. 1; L. Curruthers (Grevmoutli Municipal) 74pts., 2; G. Langridge (Timaru Municipal) 73pts., 3. Air. Kerry said lie was very disappointed in the trombones. From the championship viewpoint it was the worst playing ho liad ever listened to. Ho pointed out that the trombone was a man’s instrument. Ho could not stand a born tone on a trombone and urged them to cut out the extra tremolo.

Baritone solo.—C. Smith (Timaru Municipal) 89pts., 1; G- Wilson (Woolston Brass) 88pts., 2; A. J. Tourell (Dunedin Artillery) and E. O’Brien (Wellington Tramways) 87 pts., equal 3. Air. Goodall said the class was not very good and lie wondered whether all wero nervous.