CONTRAST IN YEARS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 76, 26 February 1938, Page 9

CONTRAST IN YEARS.

VISITING BANDSMEN. A VETERAN CONDUCTOR. Having been a band conductor for 50 years—since he was 19 years of age —Captain George Buckley is the oldest conductor attending the brass band contest in Palmerston North, and he has under him on this occasion the youngest competing band, the Auckland Artillery. 1.,, Talking to a “Standard 1 reporterafter his band had performed last evening and before the results had been announced, Captain Buckley said that he knew that they would be well down the list, the Port Nicholson Band, which turned out to he the winners, having in particular put up a really splendid performance. But my boys—and they are only hoys, he added, “are not disheartened. 1 brougnt them down for experience, and they are getting it. Captain Buckley said that his soprano cornetist was only 16 years of age, while the solo cornetist was not yet 20. The other solo players ranged m age from 17 to 18 years. Captain Buckley .has attended probably more contests and achiei eel oreater success than any other conductor in New Zealand. He won many championships with the _ Wellington Garrison, the Wanganui Garrison, Queen Alexandra’s Own, and the Kaikorai Bands. “I have had my present band for 12 months and I intend to carry on, lie stated. Theie is no question of retiring soon; I love the work too much.” Among the veterans oi competing soloists the record of Mr J- V - Glennie of the Wellington Boys’ Institute Band, is outstanding. Mr Glennie competed at a Palmerston North contest 27 years ago when lie won the tenor trombone solo competition He was then with the Wellington Garrison Band, which won the chammonshin. Since then he has competed in 25 solo contests, having won on several occasions, as his large and i aluable collection of medals shows. On Thursday he gained second place. Mi Glennie is a sou of the late Ml J. W Glennie (a . former Invercargill bandsman and winner of the Australian and New Zealand cornet championship), and he joined the Invercargill Band over 37 years .ago. S Just as interesting as the veteran plavers are the large number ot young bandsmen, the youngest competitor probably being Leonard Broadmore, ot the Whakatane Citizens’ Band, who is nine years of age. Tins lad joined the band when he was seven and already wears three medals to indicate Ins success in solo competition. his first attempt at the New Zealand championships, and although not successful in the solo tor players under 17 he was placed sixth out of oi ei 40’ competitors. The i uc }fi e r comments said ,the lad showed great promise—and then lie did not know his age.