BAND SUBSIDIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 21 May 1936, Page 4

BAND SUBSIDIES

no Liu, UdiUir) Sir, —As one who has known Mr Thomas Colo practically ever since his arrival in Nelson as trombone player for the Regimental Band, and also as one who has had a lot of respect for him I feel I cannot keep out of this discussion any longer. Before giving any opinion or details of this matter I may state I used to regard Mr Cole more as a friend. I have played with him and under his baton. On reading Mr Cole’s first letter 1 was more than surprised to think he would make such an attack on a good musical body, which deserves assistance and support, and he knows it only too well, as the Band was unable to pay the salary he asked for when Conductor. At the present time Mr Cole states that the Band has had very liberal treatment, but he did not think so when holding the position of Conductor, and in any case why should the money question cause him so much worry’ I was pleased to see the true facts stated bv “BB and CF” and company, and also the P.S. attached to the letter in this evening’s “Mail.” After all. is it not only right that the neople of Nelson should know the truth when a public concern is confronted with such a nainful exhibition showing an exceedingly poor spirit. I would like to make a slight correction for “BB and CF.” As lie says in to-night’s letter, Mr Hughes brought the Band from C grade to B grade and then A. It is well known that the Band is an A grade playing combination now, but when Mr Hughes started on his huge job of improving the Band ho did not have evert a C grade band to deal with. How many Nelson citizens know that for about eighteen months before Mr Cole relinquished office the average attendance at practice w.as approximately fourteen. Not even the world’s greatest conductor could make a band out of fourteen men who went to practice sometimes. Another point which should be put before the public is an explanation of that little combination of words used so freely bv Mr Cole—“when I relinquished office.” To those who don’t know, the Regimental Band is one of the oldest in the Dominion at the present time, if not the oldest, and there is no small amount of tradition behind it. Therefore, is it any wonder that things happened the way they did a few years ago? Could anyone expect the senior officers of the Band, who have nursed the concern along for 25 to 30 years, to stand quietly by and see all their work gradually slip away? Certainly not, and a change was made. Five years later Mr Cole comes to light with a couple of bitter letters of a very detrimental nature. The public knows how well during the past Hew years the Band has performed at the championships and what excellent service it has rendered to Nelson under its conductor. In last Saturday night’s “Mail” Mr Cole makes touching reference to the “ultimate result” of the New Plymouth contest. Well, if he doesn’t know by now (and he ought to) I’ll have to tell him that it is quite possible for any band at any time to be placed last and nobody knows just when their turn is going to be. It is very nice to win, but good bandsmen are usually good sports and don’t mind losing, especially when the adjudicator admits the standard of playing was “as good as he had ever heard in the brass band world.” What a class to be playing in, and as “BB and CF” says, remove the name of Nelson Garrison from the results and there remains at the bottom of the list “Port Nicliolson Silver Band” shining in all its glory. After the Band’s return from the Dunedin contest, where they defeated the famous Woolston Band in the hymn test, and also won one of the test selections, did Mr Cole come forward and draw public attention to the fact? If not, why not? I may mention here that there is only one grade for hymn playing at a contest, and that is very much A grade. With: regard to band contesting in general, I am afraid Mr Cole creates the impression that all contesting is rather worthless. Perhaps that is why the Woolston Band spent about £2OOO to visit the Australian contest, and also why the Cairns Citizen (Queensland) Band spent a similar amount to come to the New Plymouth contest in February last. There is not the slightest doubt that the only way to improve brass band playing, is to attend contests, and when Mr Cole can evolve a method of steady improvement without contesting, there will be hundreds of bandsmen and conductors just bursting to find out all about it. Thanks to the Regimental Band, Nelson will have the privilege of running a championship contest in February next, and let us hope, after it is over Mr Cole will be a much wiser man as far as brass bands are concerned. In conclusion, might I suggest to the local Contest Committee that they endeavour to secure the services of Mr Thomas Cole as adjudicator for the forthcoming contest. —I am, etc., “EMBOUCHURE.” Nelson, 18th May. (To the Editor) Sir, —Allow me to answer Mr Thomas Cole’s interesting note which appeared in last night’s issue. He states that anonymous correspondents quite missed his points and were side-stepping. That is very enjoyable when it comes from Mr Cole, seeing the amount of sidestepping and roaming about he has been doing with his letters. I do not wish to write any more if Mr Cole has thrown the towel in and hope that in future he will not make rash statements as he has been doing without making sure they are correct.—l am, etc., VETERAN BANDSMAN. Nelson, 19th May. (To the Editor) Sir, —Your correspondents re Mr Thomas Cole and band contesting, etc., seem to be giving him a rather interesting time. I cannot see why he should feel “insulted” because the correspondence is anonymous, it being quite usual to do so and any way he took the trouble to answer the letter, so he really cannot be so extremely “insulted.” No one denies that he is musical, for he trains schoolboys and is interested in music generally, so why worry over the band subsidies and contesting. Subsidies are the Council’s business and the Band the committee’s and conductor’s business. It is best to mind one’ own business as some conductors tell us, even when in orchestral or choral work. —I am, etc., MUSICAL. Nelson, 19th May.