TAURANGA BAND’S SUCCESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 4 May 1938, Page 7

TAURANGA BAND’S SUCCESS

UNDER BATON OF FORMER NELSON CONDUCTOR In the South Auckland Brass Band Union's annual contest held recently at Thames the Tauranga Band secured two wins and a fourth and was adjudged the Champio a n Band. Eleven bands competed, says "The Bay of Plenty Times.” The Tauranga Band secured the aggregate points and won the Championship Shield. It also gained the Shield for the Test Selection, with gold medal for the conductor. Mr G. C. Mockler, and silver medals for the bandsmen. The Shield for the Test Hymn also went to Tauranga. A gold medai, for the conductor gaining the highest aggregate of musical points, was won oy Mr Mockler. The success of the Tauranga Band is the first occasion on which it has won the championship, and the conductor and bandsmen are to be congratulated on the victory. Mr Mockler has been the conductor for eight months and the personnel of the Band comprises several young players who made their first appearance at Thames. In the Test Selection the judge Mr It. J. Estall, said the Tauranga Band’s performance was outstanding and it gave a true devotional rendering of the selection. The hymn was played beautifully by all the bands, and when the points were totalled Tauranga was declared winner by two points. The judge. Mr R. J. Estall, stated that he was doubtful whether he could have done better than the winner with his own band, Woolston (Christchurch).

Mr Mockler was formerly resident at Nelson, where he conducted the Nelson Citizens’ Band for many years.