Control of Brass Bands

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 48, 26 February 1938, Page 6

Control of Brass Bands

ANNUAL MEETING OF NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION

The annual meeting of the New Zealand Brass Bands' Association was held ia Palmerston North yesterday, Mr. E. Palliser (Wellington) presiding over an attendance of between 50 and 60 delegates.

“The year has been full of interest," stated the president in his annual report. “Brass bands and band music Lave been well maintained and, above ail, the harmonious relationship existing between bands and the management committee has resulted in a most successful year of activity and the consequent strengthening of the financial position of the association, as disclosed in the accounts.

“ When I addressed you last year, the membership comprised 1)5 banus, all et which, witu two exceptions, were finaueial. Unfortunately we are always faced with withdrawals, and the past year has been no exception, uie nuiuuei of withdrawals being six. Against this we have new affiliations as follows: — Te Kuiti Municipal Band, Auckland City Silver Band, Lower Hutt Civic Band, Waipawa Municipal Band. To these bands we extenu a hearty welcome, and we trust that they will enjoy many years of pleasurable membership and derive muen benefit by their participation in a sphere of competitive endeavour created by your association. “It is pleasing to record that, following the appeal made last year, band secretaries have been much more helpful in notifying our secretary of movements of bandsmen. Much more remains lo be done in this direction and I repeat the appeal in the hope that every possible assistance will be forthcoming to enable our band register to be kept up-to-date. The benefit of the compilation of an up-to-date register will be appreciated when it is stated that we have had less trouble over **ringing in" than in any previous year. Mauy cases of hardship, due to movement of players, have been investigated and where the circumstances have, in the opinion of the management committee, been justified, special dispensation has been granted, and district contests in particular have benefited accordingly.

“The thanks of the association are due to the citizens of Nelson for the splendid contest leld in that city in February last. The contest was au unqualified success, both aitlstxcally and financially, and we offer our congratulations to the Wanganui Garrison Band on its fine achievement in once again gaining the proud distinction of being the champion band of the Dominion, and to the Wellington Tramways Band for its meritorious win in the B grade. “The association continues to foster district contests, five of which were held during the past year, the North Island events being at Auckland, Waitara and Tauranga, and the South Island contests at Ashburton and Duuedin. Unfortunately Auckland and Tauranga both suffered financially, owing to the inclemency of tho weather. Nevertheless, these contests were happy events and well worth while from a musical standpoint.

“It is unfortunate that one or two of our most consistent competitors in the A grade are absent from this year's contest. There is, however, ample evidence of a really first class contest in both grades. Members of the Palmerston North Committee have shown very Keen interest in the event and if favoured with fine weather, they will be rewarded by the staging of a memorable contest.

‘ ‘ During the year consideration has been given to various proposals by which greater benefit from an educational standpoint will be derived as a result of our championship contests. In this matter there has been material advancement.

“We offer our congratulations to Mr. R. J. Estall, conductor of the Woolston band, on his recent appointments to adjudicate at contests in New South Wales. His band will be greatly missed at Palmerston North, but our disappointment will be offset by tlie great compliment paid to one of our veteran conductors.

“The accounts disclose a very satisfactory financial position. \Ve have now only four unfinancial bands and compared with last year, our financial position has improved materially. For this excellent result of the year's work I cannot speak too highly of the service rendered by your secretary, Mr. J. G. Osborne, whose energy and enthusiasm appear to be without limit, and to the members of the management committee for their helpful co-opera-tion throughout the year. To these gentlemen i offer my grateful thanks."

The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: Patron, Viscount Galway; vice-patrons, Dr. H. T. J. Thacker and Mr. H. D. Bennetj president, Mr. E. Palliser; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. F. J. W. McLeod, G. H. Bailey, J. H. Walker and H. B. Burdekin; executive committee, Messrs. (J. G. Baker, A. G. Homer, E. R. Hopwood, T. Goodali, W. P. MacLachlan, C. Patchett;secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. G. Osborne. A remit moved on behalf of the Te Awamutu Municipal Band was: “That no placings of bands lower than third be made public." In support of the remit, it was pointed out that publication of the fact that a band had come bottom or near the bottom did not help in its own town.

Mr. Palliser expressed the view that a band which helped its town would be helped in return, irrespective of how it had fared in a contest.

After further discussion, the remit was amended and carried in the following form: “That the contest regulations be so amended as to provide for the announcement of the three leading bands in the first selection, not necessarily in order of merit, the placings of the remainder to be withheld until the points are unsealed after the second selection, when all the points be published."

•The following remit from the Westport Municipal Band was carried* “That the adjudicator be screened off so as to place him definitely out of view of the competitor." The meeting rejected a Westport

remit: “That own choice solos be reverted to, with the exception of the Bh cornet championship."

Some discussion centred round a Westport remit: “That the judge's action in ringing off soloists be discontinued, and that soloists be given a reasonable opportunity to make good. ’' It was pointed out that this year an innovation had been introduced in that the judge gave a warning before ringing a competitor off.

The remit was defeated, the chairman saying that the association would keep this year's practice of giving a warning in mind.

A Palmerston North City Band remit. ‘ 1 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 the general public," was withdrawn, the chairman pointing out that this had been the practice for the last two years.

Nelson Garrison Band moved: “That a list of proposed adjudicators for future contests be submitted to all affil- - bands for selection."

The Nelson delegates pointed out that there were adjudicators in the Dominion who should not be overlooked.

The chairman said, that by carrying the remit, the association would be taking a retrograde step, as it would leave the way open for “touting" of an individual.

Mr. J. Noble (Woolston) suggested that the executive should consult a committee of conductors before making appointments. The chairman said the executive would gladly consult conductors. The remit was lost*