DUNEDIN BAND WINS MARCHING CHAMPIONSHIP

Grey River Argus, 21 February 1949, Page 3

DUNEDIN BAND WINS MARCHING CHAMPIONSHIP

Wellington Boys’ institute Wins B. Grade

P.A. AUCKLAND, Feb. 20. St. Kilda Municipal Band again showed its supremacy by winning the military display and quick-step championship from the Wanganui Garrison Band, with Auckland Watersiders’ Silver Band a close third, at the close of the Dominion contest on Saturday. The Wellington Boys’ Institute Senior Band did well to win the B. Grade section, followed by Auckland Artillery Band and the Lower Hutt Municipal Band. The C. Grade contest was won by the Masterton Municipal Band by a wide margin from the Gisborne City Band, which also had a substantial lead over the Patea Municipal Band, which was placed third. A significant feature of all three contests was that the winning bands that excelled in .music were also the smartest on parade. Although many of the bands were lacking in some of these essentials of parade ground drill, they obviously look pride in their appearance, particularly some of the younger competitors. Two unfortunate occurrances marred the B. Grade A and B section display, the Ashburton Silver Band and the Palmerston North Garrison Band being virtually put out of the competition by missing out one of the flags and eliminating several important movements. Both were possible winners of the event, the Palmerston North Band having gained the most points for music, and the Ashburton Band being well up in this department. Some of the other bands blamed the use of white flags, which would not be seen against white picket fences, for the mistakes, and maintained that coloured flags should have been used. An effort was made by the later competitors, including those in the championshin class, to have the markers changed. This suggestion was officially dismissed on the grounds that a change would be unfair to the bands who had already marched on the white markers, and that the regulations did not provide for any flags of any particular colour. At the conclusion of the contest, 31 bands, comprising 1000 bandsmen, formed up on one side of the ground, and in a colourful display, marched in mass formation across the ground to the tune of “Colonel Bogey.’’ Mr A. H. Baile. the Australian judge at the contest, stood on a raised platform opposite the stands and conducted the playing. The results of the contests on Saturday, with the judge’s comments, were: — Championship Display and Quick-step Apart from two bands, who were not as good as some of the B. Grade, the marching in this grade was very good. According to the judges, the dressing of the bands on the march was a prominent fault, and nearly allfailed to perform the wheel properly. All of the bands lost points for not. keeping the proper interval and observing the correct distances. The playing of the bands was better than he expected, said the musical judge, Air Baile. They had improved immeasurably since he was here 15 years ago,‘and he expressed the hope that they would continue to progress. The placings were:— St. Kilda Municipal Band, 323$ . 1 Wanganui Garrison Band, 321$ . • 2 Auckland Watersiders’ Silver Band, 320 3

B. Grade —A. and B. Section. The military display and quick-step marching in the B. Grade was very good, but some of the bands made mistakes through the drum majors not knowing the proper sequence oi drill. Some of the military judges said that the appearance of these bands, on inspection, showed room for improvement, points being lost for omissions that could have been easily rectified. Some of the bandsmen needed their hair cut, and most of them did not know the proper position at attention. The placmgs were:— V/ellington Boys’ Institute Senior Band, 288) ■■■■■■ 1 Auckland Artillery Band, 2871 ...2 Lower Hutt Municipal Band, 2792 °

« C. Grade Military Display and

Quick-step. The turn-out of the bands was of rather a low’ standard, although there was no lack of enthusiasm. The judges commented, however, that the marching generally was good for bands of this class. Points were lost for not taking the full pace at the march off, and for incorrect dressing. The drum majors were very good in the martialling of the bands. The judges remarked on the steady marching of the Te Ararana Girls’ Silver Band, and on promise shown by the Ponsonby Boys’ Brass Band. IhP placings were: — Masterton Municipal Band, 270 i 1 Gisborne City Band, 262 2 Patea Municipal Band, 256 3

Trophies The trophies were awarded as follows:— . Championship Challenge Shield, A. Section: Wellington Boys’ Institute Senior Band.' Challenge Cup B. Section: Hamilton Citizens’ Band. J. R. Williamson Memorial Challenge Shield, A. Section: . Wellington Boys’ Institute Senior Band. Challenge Cup, B. Section: Hamilton Citizens’ Band. J R. Williamson Memorial and Challenge Shield, A. and B. Sections: Wellington Boys’ Institute Senior Band. E W. Rose Memorial Challenge Sheid, C. Section: Masterton Municipal Band. Detailed results of the champion test selection, which was won on aggregate points by St. Kilda Band, were * — First Test Selection, St. Kilda Municipal Band. 19, 1. Second Test Slection: Wellington Waterside Silver Band, 19, L