BAND CONTEST

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 75, 25 February 1927, Page 11

BAND CONTEST

LOCAL PLAYERS’ SUCCESS. OAMARU WINS B GRADE FINAL. WELLINGTON, Feb. 24. The band contest was continued to-day. ■>; The soprano cornet solo resulted: — E. Webb (Queen Alexandra’s Own) and , J. King (Wellington Tramways) ; equal, 05 points; L. Coughland ' (Kaikorai), 93}. In giving his decision, Captain Herd stated that it was difficult for him to separate many performances, and he j had again to resort to fractions. In the soprano solo he did not consider he was justified in dividing two players, and consequently, he had made these equal. The trombone trio resulted: Dannevirke Municipal, 49 points; Wellington Tramways 48. Mr Halliwell, the judge, said that he was disappointed. From what he had heard he came to the conclusion that trombone trio playing was not popular in New Zealand. He suggested that trio parties should meet frequently and play together. It was a most pleasurable and educational pastime. Trombone trio playing was very beautiful if done properly. The drum competition resulted : —C. E. Bell and W. Carmichael (Palmerston North) 1, H. E. Robson (Haw-era) side drum 2; J. Osborne (Masterton) bass drum 3.

No points were announced. There were eleven competitors in the event. The competition, which was for drums, side and bass, took the form of a sight-reading test, the drummers having a brief period allowed them to look over the music, and the arrangement being that either a united pair could win or the side drummer and bass drummer from different parties. In the actual competition, the prizes went to a combined pair, C. E. Bell (side drum) and W. Carmichael, Bell having also won the side-drum competition at the Dunedin Exhibition last year. The test piece, which was prepared by Captain Herd, was fairly difficult for a sight-reading effort, but the winning pair made an excellent attempt, the side drummer in particular pleasing the judge, Mr ’Halliwell. In announcing his decision the judge said that it was the most, extraordinary competition he had ever adjudicated on. He sympathised with the performers in having to attempt to overcome the difficulties of the piece with so short a look over it. The side drummer to whom he awarded the prize had done splendidly, and the bass drummer was also the best. He supposed that if this class of competition was to be persevered with something would be accomplished in the course of time. But his sympathy would always go out to the performers in such a contest. There was a good attendance at the Town Hall This evening when the seventeen B grade bands played the second test, an arrangement from Auber’s romantic opera, “Fra Diavolo.” The selection does not present any technical difficulties, nor does there appear to be any difficulty in the matter of interpretation; yet there were differences in ideas. These made for variety for the audience, but the judge no doubt had one line of thought only. The test resulted:—First Mounted Rifles, Oamaru, 87 points; Central Mission, Wellington, 86; New Plymouth Citizens 84, Miramar 83. The judge remarked with regard to' the winning band:—“A performance of refined order even in full-band movements. This band’s accompanying was delightful, being subordinated to the soloist most judiciously and with fine effect. Intonation always good. Sotto voce work exceedingly good. A performance of much merit. Cornet soloist an artist.”