FINE PERFORMANCES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 71, 21 February 1940, Page 10

FINE PERFORMANCES.

A GRADE BAND TEST. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Feb. 20. “YY'o have had some very fine work to-night,” said Mr Frank Wright, L.R.S.M., M.R.S.T., at the conclusion of to-day’s performances in the New Zealand Centennial brass bands championships in tlie YVellington Town Hall. He announced the three leading hands in the A grade first test selection as the St;. Kilda Municipal Band, Timaru Municipal and Port Nicholson Silver, that, however, not necessarily being the order of merit.

A word of praise, lie said, was due to the people of AA’ellington, not only for the way they turned up in such numbers, but also for the splendidly attentive way they listened to the players. He was sorry all the people were not there to hear the clay’s solos. There had been some splendid playing, ancl such potential talent augured well for the future of the bands.

To-morrow night the final of the B grade will bo heard and on Thursday the final of the A grade. At the close of each performance the winning band will be announced.

The three top bands in the B Grade first test selection, concluded late last night, were the Hamilton Citizens’, Wellington Boys’ Institute, and Christchurch Municipal. That, according to the judge (Mr Frank AVright), is not necessarily the order of merit. He said the hands had found the selection, Snohr’s “Faust” (Greenwood) rather a hard nut to crack. It was very difficult for B Grade hands, hut afforded scope to both soloists and those in the ranks, and gave the conductors an opportunity for imaginative treatment and enabled them to display their musicianship. Having regard to the difficult selection, at least six bands gave a creditable performance. Results:—

Boys’ solo (under 17). —D. Christensen (St. Ivilda Municipal) 95 points, 1 ; R. Jackson (St- Kihla Municipal) 94 points 2; J’. Bennie (Timaru Municipal). 91 points 3. B flat or BB flat bass solo. —M. Connors (Hamilton Citizens), 93 points, 1; 11. C. Unwin (AA’angamii Garrison), 88 points, 2; E. Hatton (Port Nicholson Silver), 86 points 3A Grade First Test Selection, grand selection Beethoven’s works (AA r . Rimmer). —First three bands: St. Ivilda Municipal (conductor, Mr AY. L. Francis) ; Timaru Municipal (Lieutenant AV. H. Osborne); Port Nicholson Silver (Mr J. J. Drew). Other competitors: Auckland Artillery, Invercargill Civic, Queen Alexandra, AA’anganui Garrison, AVoolston Brass.

Boys’ Solo, under 17, own selection. — AA 7 . Christensen (St. Ivilda Municipal). 95pts, 1 ; R. Jackson (St. Ivilda Municipal), 94pts, 2; J. Rennie (Timaru Municipal), 91pts, 3. J. Kelly (Palmerston North City Silver), 77pts, equal, 13. Tenor Trombone Solo, own selection. —G. Langridge (Timaru Municipal), SOpts, 1; J. P. Clague (Matamata Citizens). 76pts, 2; A. Bennett (A\ 7 ellington-AVest Coast Regiment), 75pts, 3. AV. O’Hara (Feilding Municipal), 72pts, 5. B Flat or BB Flat Bass Solo, own selection.—-M. Connors (Hamilton Citizens), 93pts, 1 ; H. G\. Unwin (AVanganui Garrison), 88pts, 2; 15. Hatton (Port Nicholson), S6pts, 3; AV. AA ilkinson (Feilding Municipal), 85pts, equal, 4.

B Flat Cornet Solo, own selection.— D. Christensen (St. Ivilda Municipal), 94pts, 1: E. Pheloung (St. Tvilda Municipal), 92pts, 2; R. Francis (St. Ivilda Municipal), 91pts, 3.