Hymn Test to Wanganui

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 44, 22 February 1938, Page 8

Hymn Test to Wanganui

First Major Band Contest Event The first major event in the New Zealand Brass Band Contest, the Hymn Test, was decided last evening, Results were:— .Wanganui Garrison (Conductor, Mr. K. Francis) 141 points 1 Haw era Municipal (Conductor, Mr. H. C. A. Fox) 134 points .... 2 Timaru Municipal (Conductor, Lieut. R. J. Simpson) 131 points .... 3 Other bands competing were awarded points as follows: Dannevirke Municipal 124 points, Port Nicholson Silver 123 points, Wellington Municipal Tramway 121 points, Institute Silver (Wellington) 120 points, Te Awamuti Municipal 108 points, First Battalion Auckland Regiment 99 points, Hastings Citizens 98 points, Ashburton Silver 97 points, Auckland Artillery 96 points, Wellington Artillery 95 points, Christchurch Municipal 92 points, Palmerston North City Silver 88 points, Palmerston North Garrison 86 points, Feilding Municipal 81 points. There was a large attendance of the public, both grandstands being about three-quarters full. The selection was three verses of a hymn and the event was open to “ A’ * and “B” grade bands. At the conclusion of th»- contest the judge, Mr. E. P. Kerry, remarked that there was a slight improvement in hymn playing since last year, but judging from some of the interpretations laat night several conductors bad never been to church. The winning band gave an outstanding performance and the judge remarked that he had to wait to practically the end of the programme for it. Only four bands played badly out of tunc, which had been rather a great fault last year. Baritone Solo The baritone solo competition was held at the Municipal hall in the morning. Mr. T. Goodall was judge. The results are as follow: — D. Bromilow (Westport Municipal) 85 points 1 W. Hickman (Wanganui Garrison) 84 points - C. E. Smith (Timaru Municipal) 81 points 3 HOW THE BANES PLATED (.Comments specially written for * * The Times.”) Despite a late start all the bands in the hymn test held at the Showgrounds last evening had completed their performances by 10 o’clock. The local secretary, Mr. C. V. Day, and the officials of the New Zealand Brass Bands’ Association are to be complimented on the smooth running of the event. This augurs well for the success of contest week, and favoured with fine weather, there should be a large attendance at the Showgrounds each night this week to witness some fine band playing. All the 17 bands last evening played well although at times faulty intonation marred some of the performances. An excellent choice of hymn tunes was heard and some of the performances were very fine indeed. It was most creditable to notice the success of the young conductors, and the New Zealand Brass Bands’ Association should feel gratified with the splendid work these youthful musicians are doing for New Zealand bauds. Some of the performances last evening were on the “light” side, and it leades one to suppose that too much inside practice is being held for events which are to be adjudicated in the opeu air. This is a fault which should be quickly rectified by conductors. There was one noticeable feature about the playing last night—far too much attention was paid to minute details. It is a well-known band idiom to “look after little notes and big ones will look after themselves, ” but this can be carried too far. In many of the performances the complete sense of the hymns was lost by bands not treating their choice as a whole, the resultant effect being that the ecclesiastic atmosphere was completely lost on many occasions. A hymn tune must flow to retain its reverence. The winning band, Wanganui Garrison, played splendidly, its performance being in a class of its own. This band will be difficult to defeat in the A grade championship judging by its performance last evening. Still, many bands have been at the top on the first night and a complete reversal oi form has placed them much lower on the list in other events. There is one thing certain, all the bands are out to win, and as inspiration is the essence of good music, it behoves every bandsman to work strenuously to enable the very fine efforts their respective conductors are making, to bring success te their bands. Palmerston North Garrison (Conductor, Lieut. C. Pike, Hymn “Old Earth”. ■—First verse: Soprano misses at start; band nicely in tune; band lacking a little in weight, still quite tuneful; soprano a shade dominant. Second verse: Comet plays nicely; better balance now; a good verse—swell at end effective. Third verse: A good opening; nuances nicely portrayed; trombones rich, a shade too much so at times; basses nicely in tune, although at times the tonal quality could have been a little richer. Quite a tasteful performance; middle of band lacking in tonal quality. Hawera Municipal (Conductor, Mr. H. C. A. Fox), Hymn “Faith”.—First verse: Good attack; band a little on the light shade but quite tuneful; so prano “misses” occasionally; attack of final phrase in this verse not too good; basses could have been a shade heavier; a nice verse all the same. Second verse: Band in time at opening of this verse but occasional chords inclined to be dissonant at times; quite a good verse but played too * straight. ” Final verse: More graduations of tone would have improved this verse; band lacking a little in expression; hymn still too •'straight a tuneful performance;

coda tastefully played although a slight tendency towards untunefulness in closing bars. Christchurch Municipal (Conductor, R. Simpson), Hymn “Eavecote”. — Firse verse: Only a fair opening; band well balanced but very light; first trombone too heavy in this verse; band in tune. Second verse: Intonation suffering at times; basses could be richer; a peaceful verse. Third: Basses and trombone “hold over” very effectively; soprano 1 ’misses” at times; release fairly good but attack at times not ail that could be desired; a fair performance

Timaru Municipal (Conductor Lieut. R. J. Simpson), Hymn “Rochdale”.— The first A grade band to appear. Band well placed. A good opening, and band nicely in tuue and rich m tonal volume; hymn a little too "straight”. Second verse: Soprano misses at times; inside of band plays well, also basses; a very effective “hold over” by basses leading to final verse; this verse better played; a tendency at times for cornets to “punch” notes; a peaceful close; the third verse was well played by bass end of band; a meritorious performance. Palmerston North City Silver (Conductor, Mr. W. O'Hara), Hymn “Nearer My God to Thee”. —Cornets uncertain at opening and bass section too light; first verse very quietly played; euphonium and soprano miss towards end of this verse. Second verse: Organ effect well portrayed; band out of tune at times in this verse and still too light; final chord not quite in time. Third verse: Well played, but this hymn should have more contrasts as far as expression goes; piano passages weu played but hymn generally too quiet; a satisfactory performance for a B grade band. ' Wellington Municipal Tramways (Conductor Mr. E. Franklin), Hymn "Sandon”. —A peaceful opening; first verse slowly played; breaks between phrases a shade too long, the result beiDg that the band loses the “march” of the hymn. Second verse: Phrasing again plays an important part in this verse; hymn does not “flow” very well but the effect is quite novel and reverent. Third verse: Played much fuller; at times the balance of the band is not all that could be desired, all the same the treatment is quite artistic; basses and euphoniums play very weil indeed; soprano misses slightly towards close; a peaceful close; a pleasant performance; the introduction of more nuances would have enhanced the presentation. Band of the Ist Battalion The Auckland Regiment (C.R.0.) (Conductor, Lieut. G. W. Bowes), Hymn “Rimingcon”.—Band sits in circular formation; quite a good opening; a nice, rich tone and nuances nicely treated in the opening verse. Second verse: Tenor horn plays a wrong note but he recovers; band not quite in tune at times in this verse. Third verse: Not as neatly treated as the previous still the pianissimo sections are effective; a good close. This band showed good promise at the opening, but fell away during the middle section of the final verse: the performance was, however, quite artistic; intonation occasionally marred the performance, certain chords only suffering in this direction. Port Nicholson Band (Conductor J. Drew), Hymn “Rochdale” (arr. Scotney.) —A good opening—soprano slightly out of tune at commencement but quickly recovers. Band well in tune towards end of verse. Some delightful harmonies introduced in this hymn. Splendid playing. Nice legato effect. A well balanced performance and a rich tonal quality throughout. Final verse very well played. Soprano just a shade out of tune on final chord. Middle of band and bass section play sweetly throughout. A very fine arrangement of a good hymn tune. A most creditable performance. Feilding Municipal (Conductor, J. Fleetwood), Hymn, “Nearer Still Nearer.”—A light opening—a cornet anticipates the second phrase. Hymn very quickly played. The accented chord at the beginning of the fourth bar from the end of this verse overdone. Band not quite in tune at times. Soprano plays artistically. Second verse suffers through faulty intonation. This is particularly noticeable in concluding chord. More contrasts in expression would have made the hymn more effective. . Trombones overblow towards close. A fairly satisfactory performance. Faulty intonation at times did not improve the presentation. Hastings Citizens (Conductor, C. Bryant), Hymn, “Deep Harmony.”— A good opening. Soprano plays artistically. This band produces a surprisingly good tone for a “B” grade combination. Nice and full throughout and the first two verses well in tune. The attack at times was not all that could be desired but the general performance was most satisfactory. The tenor horns could have been a shade richer on the heavier chords. Basses play well. Soprano good throughout. A good performance. Te Awamutu Municipal (Conductor, R. H. Close), Hymn, “Silver Hill.”— Basses nice and “round” at opening. Band slightly out of tune at times. First verse taken very quietly. A smooth performance lacking a little in life but quite reverent. Soprano “tops” band nicely without overblowing. Band out of tune towards end of second verse. “Hold over” nicely treated. Performance still lacking in life —an occasional tenuto chord would have made all the difference to the performance. This band deserves much credit for its peaceful presentation. Ashburton Silver Band (Conductor, Lieut. W. H. Osborne), Hymn “Deep Harmony. ’ ’ —Band in tune but cornets inclined to be too heavy. Second verse much better balanced. Soprano plays tastefully. Note valves abbreviated occasionally. Basses play lead in to final verse well. Band nicely in tune now. The close to the final verse was rich and full. Perhaps a little more legato effect at times would have been effective. Generally the performance was good but there was a tendency for the band to be “jerky” at times. Hymn taken at a nice tempo. Institute Silver, Wellington (Conductor, Mr. A. Ironmonger). Hymn, “New Rochdale.”—Opening uncertain, but band quickly recovers; cornet anticipates second half of the first verse; intonation suffering towards close. Second verse: Soprano plays this verse well—so do top cornets; euphoniums and horns nicely in tune—a smooth per-

formance so far; tonal quality quite rich for a B grade band. Final verse receives better treatment; trombones nicely subdued; top cornets a shade too heavy during playing of final bars. The performance generally was most enjoyable. Dannevirke Municipal (Conductor, Air. W. H. Tougher). Hymn, “Rochdale.”—Once again the band formation i 3 changed. This band plays with the basses closest to the adjudicator. First verse: A good attack; hymn taken at a fairly brisk pace; playing five basses and the effect is organ-like; trombone a shade too heavy; there is a tendency towards vibrato by the first trombone player at times. A surprisingly rich-toned band for a B grade combination. Nuances nicely treated and band fairly well in tune throughout. A colourful performance. Auckland Artillery (Conductor, Captain G. Buckley, V.D.). Hymn: “Nearer, My God, to Thee.” —Attack satisfactory. One of the solo cornets and soprano produce a vibrato effect at times; band from horns down well in tune; cornet soloist dominates at times; soprano “misses” slightly in second verse; nuances well treated; hymn taken a little on the slow side but treated in a very sacred manner; the vibrato effect is not improving the performance. Beautiful rich tone produced by the bass section of the band, reminiscent of the Queen Alexandra’s Own when it won the own-choice selection in Dunedin a tew years ago. Quite a good performance, although the top end of the band overpowered the remainder at times; this section of the band was not always in tune. Wellington Artillery (Conductor, W. H. Bowman). Hymn, “Bradford.”—A very full opening; cornets and trombones inclined to be too heavy at times; attack of second verse not altogether too satisfactory and intonation suffers at times. Band not so well balanced; out of tune in final verse—this is particularly noticeable in pianissimo chords. The treatment of the hymn is most artistic—what a pity faulty intonation crept in at times. Nuances nicely treated. A good, rich tone for a B grade band. Wanganui Garrison (Conductor, R. Francis, L.R.S.M.). Hymn, 1 ‘New Rochdale.”—Splendid opening; soprano plays nicely; an “inside” cornet produces vibrato throughout; band well in tune and produces a lovely rich tone. First two verses very well playeA. Final verse opens well; good balance; basses and “inside” of band produce a fine legato effect. A tip-top performance.