BANDSMEN WITHDRAW

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 71, 21 February 1939, Page 5

BANDSMEN WITHDRAW

STAGE-FRIGHT AT CONTEST. YESTERDAY’S RESULTS. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 20. Overcome by stage-fright, four bandsmen withdrew after getting halfway through “Silver Threads Among the Gold” (Rimmer), which was the test piece for E Elat soprano cornets in the New Zealand championship band contest. “There were several very fine players,” said Captain H. Sliugg, who judged this section this morning. “The solo was wisely chosen, and the players did well. The use of vibrato was, however, excessive, and there was quite an amount of exaggeration.” Detailed results: A. W. Webb (Kaikorai) 92 points, 1; D. G. Taylor (Timaru Municipal) 90 points, 2; It. Thomas (Ashburton Silver) 86 points, 3; C. Unwin (Green Island Municipal) 85 points, 4; McKechnie (First Battalion Band, Auckland Regiment) 84 points, 5; S. Hutcheson (Ashburton Silver Band) 83 points, 6; J. Bannin (Wellington Boys’ Institute) 81 points, 7; G. Shedden (Christchurch Municipal) 80 points, 8; J. Ewington (Hawera Municipal) 70 points, 9. A lack of understanding of the set piece, “Romance Bohemian” (Ord Hume), was noticed by Mr James Dixon, who judged the E Flat or EE Flat bass solo. “Although I was very pleased, and the piece was very finely played, unfortunately the players did not seem to have studied the piece sufficiently to catch its spirit,” said Mr Dixon. “They were so intent on playing every note meticulously, instead of giving due attention to the spirit of the piece. There was a lack of light and shade, and many of the players missed the underlying sentiment.” Detailed results: V. Abraham (Timaru Municipal Band) 92 points, 1; Les Jacobs (Wellington Boys’ Institute) 89 points, 2; J. P. Cowiishaw (Palmerston North Garrison) 86 points, 3. PALMERSTON NORTH SUCCESS. “Tlie interpretation and general playing were not quite what I had hoped for,” said Captain Shugg, commenting on the performances in the euphonium solo contest this afternoon. The selection played was “In Cellar Cool” (Kappey). “I must say,” continued Captain Shugg, “that I’ve heard better playing, and if this adequately represents the standard of euphonium playing in New Zealand, then I am afraid it is not very high. The tone in many cases was too heavy and forced and was sometimes hard and unsympathetic. Too many entrants just played their notes and no more.” Results were:—H. Guthrie (Palmer-

ston North Garrison), 92 points, 1; J. Smith (Port Nicholson Silver), 90; H. Dephoff (Timaru Municipal), 88; O. Williams (Wanganui Garrison), 87; J. A. Magrath (Lower Hutt Civic), 85; A. Roskvist (Wellington Municipal Tramways), 85; T. H. Hughes (Nelson Garrison), 84; G. Claydon (Auckland Artillery), 83; T. V. Denne (Westport Municipal), 82; R. Keovess (Woolston Brays), 81; A. Sharp (Christchurch Municipal), 80; W. Gibb (Kaikorai;, 80; A. Stout (Wellington Bovs’ Institute), 79; R. Kirk, 79; T. A. Miller (Ashburton Silver), 78; J. Mayfield (Oamaru Municipal), 77; A. Cheyne (Green Island Municipal), 77. The playing of the boys under 17, who made their own choice of music and instrument, was highly praised by the judge, Mr Dixon. Results were; R. Francis (St. lvilda Municipal), 97 points; D. Christenson (St. Kilda Municipal), 96; L. Broadtnore (Whaka tane Citizens), 93; D. Baird (Timaru Municipal), 93; J. Rennie (Timaru Municipal), 92; E. Harrington (Wellington Municipal Tramways), 92; J. P. Clague (Matamata Citizens), 92; H. Croucher (Hawera Municipal), 91; L. Brown (St. Kilda Municipal), 89; E. Evans (Lower Hutt Civic), 89; C. Martin (Palmerston North Garrison), 88; J. Hyndman (Timaru Municipal), 88; R. Jackson (Greymouth Municipal), 88 ; F. W. Redman (Waikato Regimental and Hamilton Municipal), 84; A. G. Aldridge (Southland Battalion), 84; T. R. Hughes (Taranaki Regimental and New Plymouth Municipal). 83; L. F. Jackson (Lower Hut Civic), 83; W. Moore (Lower Hutt Civic), 81; I. Stafford (Wellington Boys’ Institute), 80; A. N. Bell (Christchurch Municipal), 79; F. Heys (Feilding Municipal), 79; M. Hart (Christchurch Municipal), 70; K. Young (Lower Hutt Civic), 65. B GRADE TEST. The B grade test selection was held this evening after which three bands were singled out as the best of the evening. These were:—Ashburton Silver,_ Christchurch Municipal and Dannevirke Municipal. In accordance with custom, the exact placings' were withheld in order that no band should become careless in the second test selection, supposing it held a lead of several points after the first test. The judge said every band gave quite a creditable performance.