THE GARRISON BAND.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 176, 27 July 1907, Page 5

THE GARRISON BAND.

CONCERT IN THE TOWN HALL

The largo audience that assembled in the Town Hall last night was a sufficient indication of the love of brassband music that is experienced by the community as a whole. ■ The Garrison Band is perhaps the one body of local musicians that does not suffer materially, in the volume of sound produced, by playing on the stage of our new "theatre." Rather, it is questionable whether the band's music, always loud enough to be heard, is not improved by the smothering effects caused by open wings and stage draughts innumerable. Last night, on the other hand, it could not but bo noticed that the volume of tone coming from tne basses was detrimentally affected by these adverse conditions. Indeed, the tone of the whole band in the ensembles lacked the warmth and homogeneousness associated with brass playing, while, there was present in places that jumbling of sounds resultant from confined surroundings. Baridmaster Rose, the p # ains-taking conductor ■■' is fortunate .in having two such soloists as Bandsmen Tunnicliffe (trombone) and Reeves (cornet). In the Exhibition test piece,, " I Lombardi/' /these musicians performed with distinct success. The playing of the former, indeed, was considerably in advance of that of the solo trombonists of several of the lower-grade bands fthat competed at Christchurch in last. He has j however, ■ something yet to learn in playing I plural grace notes. In connection with ■the solo cornet music, the band's playing might have been cleaner all through if Bandsman Reeves had been given fewer spells. The euphonium was i heard to disadvantage in the principal selection, but his playing later on in ; the soft opening of theS" Turkish Patrol" (a very popular number) was distinctly more pleasing. The horns are, as usual, the weak section of the whole combination; and the basses the strongest. On the whole, the Band played up to a fairly high standard, despite the want of a bass trombone. Other pieces by the; whole band were a concert waltz '; Georgiej" the selection from Gounod's, ''Faust,'' a, cornet solo by Bandsman Eyles with aor companiment, and a rather entertain-' ing descriptive arrangement for brass!, voices, beer bottles, wine-glasses; chimes and cock-crows. The most popular performer ill the'concert was Miss Rita Rabbhe. Her singing of Tosti's " Good-bye" showed a great advancement- in modification of tone and in gracefulness^ while her enunciation and intonation were perfect. She has still to guard, however, against an inclination to the liasal tone/here and there. Upon her recall, she sarig "Cuckoo," which'greatly pleased the audience, and had to be repeated. The swing song " Maggie Magee," a melospectacular number, proved very enjoyable. Mr Arthur Rose, who has an agreeable tenor voice, full of music, sang the verses, and a hidden chorus, capably led by. Miss Mabel Rose, whose place was on the swing beside her brother (making a pretty picture) helped to make the item a. distinct success, and evoke an encore. Mr Frank Robinson's deep Jbass voice was listened to with admiration in " Beloved ? it is Morn," and he chose, in responding to an encore, " The Two Grenadiers," which was still more pleasing. "Banks of Allan Water," sung as an unaccompanied vocal quartette by Messrs J. Bryant, J. W. Rose, A. Rose, and F. Robinson, was successful, and had to Ibe repeated. The voices blended nicely in the cadences, though the singer of the air possessed rather strong tones for the intermediates, whilst the bass ! was apparently afraid to trust himself far enough to give balance of tone to the harmony. However, it is creditable to the vocalists taking part that so difficult an effort should be successful to^such a degree. The cornet solo, "My Pretty Jane," showed Bandsman I Reeves to be ah adept on .the instru- | ment^ his playing being and technically correct- He' con-: siderably, however y!; through insufficient acquaintance ;,with the piano accompaniment. Mr£l Allen,' Miss Rose, and Mr H; Robinson played the accompaniments throughout the concert, which concluded with the National Anthem. The Garrison Band'is a credit to the community that so liberally supports it.