YOUTHFUL BANDSMEN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 5 January 1927, Page 4

YOUTHFUL BANDSMEN

BOYS FROM PONSONB}’. TARANAKI DISTRICT TOUR. To have developed within a decade from a membership of seven to eightysix, becoming thereby the strongest institution of its kind in. the Dominion, and, although comprising play- * ers ranging up to 18 years of age only, to have won the third grade championship of the Dominion, is the excellent record of the Ponsonby Boys’ Brass Band, whose concert in King Edward Park last evening met with the enthusiastic approval of a gathering numbering several hundreds of Hawera townspeople. The visiting party, which is at present making one of the band's annual tours, comprises 33 players, whose ages range from 14 to 18, under the conductor, Air. F. G. Lawn. Last evening’s programme lasted for an hour and a half and covered a varied selection of band numbers, in all of which the youthful bandsmen reached a. high standard which would have met with appreciation from the most critical of audiences. Particularly pleasing selections were: “Afaid of Orleans,” the hymn “Nearer Aly God to Thee,” and Alorceau “A Night in Switzerland.” The “echo” effect in the last-named item, obtained oy stationing the “echo” proproducing player in a distant portion of the grounds, was especially appealing. In this number the cornet soloists were Sergeants A. Hills and H. Hoffman. The latter, with Bandsboy S. Hills, was also heard in the cornet duet which figured in the fantasia “Star of Hope.” Other pieces submitted were: Euphonium solo, “Autumn Leaves,” contributed by Bandsboy W. Greenwood; march, “Lisgar Rifles”; overture, “Lygia”; idyll, “The Cuckoos”; and march, “Invercargill,” with an exhibition of drumming by Drummer AY. Dennison, whose dexterous use of i a flying pair of drumsticks was greatly admired. During the march “Invercargill,” the conductor’s baton was wielded by Bandmaster P. S. Finlay* son, of Patea.

hi* the morning the band played at Eltham, where a civic reception was extended by the Afayor (Air. I. J. Bridger). The players were the guests of the Eltham citizens at luncheon, and were subsequently motored to the Salvation Army Boys’ Home, and afterwards to the Boy Scouts’ camp near Normanby, short programmes being submitted at both places. The party joined the afternoon train at Normanby, and on arrival at Hawera were accorded a civic reception by the Deputy-Alayor (Mr. E Atorrissey), who suitably expressed the pleasure of the townspeople in being afforded an opportunity of enjoying the music provided bv the band.

Among the reception party was Mr. L. A. Bone, representing the Rotary Club, under the auspices of which the billeting of the boys in town was arranged. .In conversation with a. Star reporter, Mr. Bone expressed appi-eci-ation of the co-operation given by householders in arranging accommodation for the players, and he asked that the thanks of the club to those who had assisted be extended in the press. The annual tours of the hand, are undertaken with a view to combining the musical education of the boys with an opportunity of acquiring knowledge by' travel of the country in which they live, and the honour of inclusion in the number selected is eagerly sought by the boys. During the present tour the party, leaving Auckland on Boxing Day. has visited Dannevirke. Woodville, Palmerston North. Feilding, Wanganui, Waverley, Patea, New Plymouth, Inglewood, Stratford. Eltham. and Hawera. Departing by the south express this morning, they will play at. Taihape this evening, and before reaching home on Saturday are to . visitOhakune. Manunui, and Taumarunui.

It is five years since the band visited the Taranaki district. Besides the conductor, only two members of the .present party, Sergeants H. Hoffman and A Hills, were among those who visited Hawera on the former occasion. It is also interesting to note that Sergeant Hoffman, who joined the hand as a triangle player when only six years of age, is the only member of the original seven now numbered among the hand’s active players. Prior to the departure of the band this morning, the conductor, in conversation with a Star reporter, said the hand had been received everywhere with the utmost cordiality during the tour, and he wished particularly to thank the people of Hawera for courtesies shown. “You have a beautiful park—one of the best in the Dominion.” added Mr. Lawn, who further said he had been pleased to learn that the erection of a suitable hand pavilion at the park was contemplated by the civic authorities. Travelling with the hand are Messrs V. Johnson, R-. Short, and .T. Whitfield, members of the commit too, and Mr. T. Vivian is the advance agent.