THE HYMN CONTEST

Northern Advocate, 26 October 1936, Page 7

THE HYMN CONTEST

In an address before announcing the placing of the bands in the hymn contest, Mr Gray remarked upon the high quality of the playing. Some bands which had been unsuccessful, were on the right track, but he knew that the instruments of one or two were not of the best.

Mr Gray advised bandsmen to go in for slow hymn practice, and advocated the playing for a hymn test as the first piece for every practice. Wavering was out of place in hymn music, and faulty intonation had to be guarded against.

In his comments, the judge said that Onehunga Municipal, who played “Kyrie Elison,” had a nice balance. The phrasing was good and also the intonation. It was the best performance he had heard so far. Te Awamutu (“Silver Hill”) had a very nice tonal quality, the harmony being nicely blended. Attacks and releases were very good, anjd also phrasing. Mt. Eden Boys’ (“Deep Harmony”) played with fair balance. In the second verse the phrasing was good. Whangarei Municipal , (“Nottingham”) showed nice tone. The soprano spoilt the first and second verses. It was a fair performance. Takapuna played “Shipley,” and the judge said that the tonal quality was not as rich as in the last band. The second verse was better, but intonation was faulty. • The quality and tone of the Whangarei band was fair,, Mr. Gray said, in regard to the Whangarei Boys’ who played “Penitence.” Attacks and releases were not good. Auckland Watersiders chose. “St. Margaret” and were out of tune at the start. It was a very fair performance.

Balmoral Boys’ played “Jesus Lover of My Soul.” Untunefulness spoilt this performance. Attacks and releases could be improved upon. Phrasing was very fair.

Kaikohe presented “Nearer My God to Thee.” The chief fault, the judge said, was that the balance of the band was not good. Some instruments dominated too much. All did not sustain note valves as they should. Nevertheless it was a fair performance.