BRASS BANDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 76, 26 February 1938, Page 10

BRASS BANDS

MEETING OF ASSOCIATIONOFFICERS ELECTED. A number of matters of interest to bandsmen were discussed at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Brass Bands’ Association, held in Palmerston North yesterday. There was a large attendance of delegates, over whom Mr E. Palliser presided. Mr J. Noble, of the AVoolston band, was nominated as president, and on a ballot being taken Mr Palliser was re-elected by a large majority. Tlie election of officers resulted as follows;—Patron, His Excellency the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, vice-patrons, Dr H. T. J. Thacker and Mr H. G. Bennett; president, Mr E. Palliser vice-presidents, Captain F • AV. G. McLeod, Messrs G. H. Bailey, J. H. Walker and H. B. Burdekin, the last-named being elected to take place of the late Mr T. Lindsay Buick; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. G. Osborne; executive, Messrs AV. 1. MacLachlan, C. Patchett and T. Goodall (North Island), C. G. Baker, A. G. Homer and E. R. Hopwood (South Island). . , ~ There were nine nominations tor tne committee, but the retiring officers were re-elected. “We can take the result as a definite vote of confidence, said the chairman. It was decided to hold tlie next contest in Christchurch provided the necessary conditions are complied with. The only other application for the contest was from Dunedin, but this was withdrawn. REMITS DISCUSSED. The first remit was presented by the Te Awamutu Municipal Band: “That no placings of bands lower than third place be made public after apy competition.” It was stated that the announcement of full results often had a psychological effect on a band, and in the case of one well down the list there was often a feeling of humiliation. On the other hand, it was argued that to carry the remit into effect would be to curtail public interest. Eventually it was decided to meet tlie position half-way, and the following amendment was carried; —“That the contest regulations be so amended as to provide for the announcment of the three leading bands in the first test selection, not necessarily in order of merit, and the placings of the remainder he withheld until the points are unsealed after the second selection, when all points shall be published.” A AVestport remit urging that the adjudicator be screened off so as to place him definitely out of view of the competitors was carried, but another asking that “own choice” solos be reverted to, with the exception of in the B fiat cornet championship, was lost.

Opinion was divided on the remit: “That the .judge’s action in ringing off soloists be discontinued, and that soloists be give a reasonable opportunity to make good.” Tt was resolved, however, to leave tlie matter to the discretion of the judge. “This has been our policy for the past two years,” said the chairman when the following remit from the Palmerston North City Silver Band came forward:—“That the committee of the association selecting the test music for future contests be requested to select music of a lighter character in order to cater more for the musical taste of tlie general public.” “AVe must choose music which provides a real test,” added Mr Pallister, “but we have sought' to meet the public taste as far as possible.” The remit was not put to the meeting. The Nelson Garrison Band moved that a list of proposed adjudicators for future contests be submitted to all affiliated bands for selection, it being considered by tlie Nelson delegates that there had been some dissatisfaction among bands as to the choice of judges. The chairman said that to put the remit into effect would be to open the whole system to abuses. It would he a soriy day for the association if the remit was carried.

Mr J. Noble (Christchurch) said that, while he did not support the remit. lie felt that the opinions of A grade conductors should be sought from time to time.

Mr H. O. A. Fox: And why only A grade band conductors? The chairman gave an undertaking that the executive would seek the opinions of experts within the band movement before the final selection of judges was made. “But,” he added, “we cannot he bound by that advice, as it may be opening the door to abuses, and that must be avoided at all costs.” The remit was withdrawn.

The meeting closed with complimentary reference to the work of the secretary (Mr Osborne).