COMBINED BANDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 116, 16 April 1934, Page 10

COMBINED BANDS

CONCERT AT ESPLANADE. The Queen Alexandra’s Own Band, Wanganui, who were runners-up to the Palmerston North Garrison Band for tho New Zealand championship at the recent band contest, visited Palmerston North yesterday, and in the afternoon many music-lovers had the pleasure of hearing the two bands in a recital at tho Esplanade. On the lawn, both bands played the “Old Comrades’ March,” and “Nearer My God to Thee.” Queen Alexandra’s Own then gave a programme of musical selections from the rotunda. Subsequently the massed bands played “The Vanished Army,” which was composed by Kenneth Alford after the first hundred thousand soldiers had crossed to Belgium during the war. The National Anthem concluded the concert. Tho Queen Alexandra’s Own Band gave a popular concert, with a high standard of music, before a crowded audience at the State Theatre ill the evening. The programme was a.s follows: —Hymn, “Deep Harmony,” the band; overture, “Poet and Peasant,” the band ; humorous items, Mr Arthur Vernon (comedian); serenade, “The Fairy’s Wedding.” the band; solos, “Hilltops” and “Spring Comes Laughing,” Master Keith Lund (boy soprano); concert piece, “The Church Parade,” the band; solo, “Bachelor Gay,” Mr Charlie Haar; cornet duet, “Tasmania,” Bandsmen J. Bergersen and N. D’Ath; grand march, “The Open Road,” the band. At the opening of the concert Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., president of the Garrison Band, took the opportunity of welcoming Mr W. F. Gobns, president- of the visiting band, and also Lieutenant E. Webb, conductor. Mr Nasli expressed the great pleasure that the Garrison Band and citizens felt at the visit, which was a return for that made by the Garrison Band to Wanganui the week previously. Mr Gohns, in reply, stated that the visitors appreciated the cordial reception of the band in Palmerston North. After the visit paid to Wanganui last week he was fully convinced that the Garrison Band fully merited its win in the contest. While expressing the hope that it w ould continue in the premier position, he reminded the gathering that Lieutenant Webb would l>e watching Lieutenant Pike very closely in the future. „ __ , , c Oil the motion of Mr Nash, votes of thanks were accorded Lieutenant AVebb and the bandsmen, the entertainers Mr Bergersen (accompanist) and the' management of the State Theatre. Later the visiting bandsmen were entertained by the Garrison Band at supper.