St. Kilda Band Wins Ballarat Aggregate

Northern Advocate, 31 October 1949, Page 3

St. Kilda Band Wins Ballarat Aggregate

MELBOURNE, Sun.—The St. Kilda Municipal Band (Dunedin) scored a signal triumph when it won the A grade aggregate at the Ballarat band festival, including first places in the test piece and own choice selection and second in the quickstep contest and special quickstep under lights.

The judge, Mr Frank Wright, said: “I have been agreeably surprised at the general level of playing of the A grade bands. The best of them rose to a very high level, both in technique and muscianship. The test music and much of the own choice was of academic touch and gave to conductors plenty of scope for imaginative treatment. It says tnuen for the conductors that no performance fell below an acceptable level. “The march-playing, which is peculiar to Australia and New Zealand and not generally featured at contests in England, was also of good standard. The playing in this section was virile and for the most part accurate.” NOT EXPECTED “This is a proud moment for the band and myself,” said the St Kilda bandmaster, Mr K. G. L. Smith. “We did not expect to succeed as we did and it is grand to realise the magnificent sportsmanship accorded us on our win."

accompaniment of sparkling music, the New Zealanders were accorded a special ovation. “New Zealand can be proud of its champion band and wc arc very proud of them, too.” said Councillor J. C. Rowe, president of the Southstreet Society, sponsors of the festival. “They have acquitted themselves splendidly in every way and are ambassadors of goodwill, as well as good musicianship. Their visit strengthens the bonds of Anzac.” Mr Rowe read a letter from a noted English band authority, Mr J. Henry lies, urging that Australian and New Zealand bands should take part in the English national band festival at Manchester in 19.72. OFFICIAL RESULTS The official results were as follows: A Grade Contest. —Aggregate: St Kilda (New Zealand), 347 points, 1; City of Ballarat. 341, 2: Brisbane Excelsior. 331, 3. Test piece: St Kilda. 88. 1; City of Ballarat, 85. 2: Brisbane Excelsior, 83. 3. Own choice: St Kilda, 90. 1: Brisbane Excelsior, 87, 2; City of Ballarat, 85, 3. Quickstey: City of Ballarat, 171, 1; St Kilda, 169, 2; Footscray, 168, 3. Special quickstep: South Australian Police, 85, 1; St Kilda. 84, 2. In the street march contest of A and B grades, which was won by Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band, with 36 points, St Kilda tied with Hawthorn for second place with 34 points.

Commenting on the performance of K. G. Smith, the 19-year-old cornetist, who played the solo “The Fatherland," the judge said: “Very few comet players in the world could do that better.”

When Smith gave his solo, friendly calls of “Send him to England" mingled with the applause. The St Kilda manager (Mr L. Gillions) said that the trip had been a very happy one and the opposition particularly strong. Many cabled messages of good wishes had been received from the Dominion. 10,000 ATTEND

I/REE fIEICIFES — Write >uui name, address on envelope, stamp with Id stamp, then enclose in another envelope addressed to Mansells. Dept, C., Box 199. Masterton. 1 c/til

The festival was attended by 10. QUO people. Marching with precision to the