THE BAND CONTEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19264, 1 March 1926, Page 10

THE BAND CONTEST.

QUICK-STEP COMPETITION.

AUCKLAND ARTILLERY'S WIN.

A BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE. HIGH PERCENTAGE OF MARKS. && [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, Sunday. Tho "A" grade quickstep competition at the band contest yesterday was decided iii a steady downpour of rain which put the sports ground at the exhibition under water in many planes. There was a very large crowd nevertheless, which was treated to a surprisingly good display in the circumstances, particularly by the Auckland Artillery Band, which repeated the brilliant performance that it gave-at last year's contest and had no difficulty in carrying off first .place.

The results were as . follow, the points for drill being given first and those for music second: —Auckland Artillery, 90, 273 i-; St. Kilda, 1712 92, 2632; I >aI " merston, North, 169J, 92, 2613; Invercargill, 169-|, 85, 254|;. Christehurch Municipal, 169, 85, 254; Wanganui Garrison, 167-J, 82 > 249?; Wellington Tramways, 165f, 81, 246|; Woolstou, 153, 91, 244; Port Nicholson, 158§, 85, 2433; Dunedin Artillery, 160, 80, 240; Kaikorai, 150, 82, 232; Queen Alexandra's' Own (Wanganui). 152, 73, 230. At tho conclusion of the proceedings a protest was lodged by Palmerston North against St.- Kilda on the ground that the St. Kilda drum-major . gave two blasts of the whistle in directing the evolution. This, it was submitted, was contrary to the rulps, which state that only one blast is permitted. The protest, will be' considered in due course by the executive and its decision announced through the press.

The contest was brought to a conclusion in the evening with operatic own "choice selections. Ten bands competed. Most of the competitors played arrangements of Wagner's operas and some excellent playing was heard. The results were:— Queen Alexandra's Own (Wanganui), 138';Woolston, 133, St. Kilda, 132; Wanganui Garrison, 131; Greymouth,-130; Ist Battalion Taranald, 129; Port Nicholson, 129; Palmerston North, 124; Hamilton, 123; Wellington Tramways, 122.* After tho results were announced the prize money and . various shields and awards were presented to the winners. The bandmasters; judges and officials at the contest were then entertained "by the exhibition directors, thus bringing to a conclusion a most successful contest.

The following is the distribution of the shields for this year:—A grade shields: New Zealand championship, Besson and Conn shield t<> Woolston; Boosey shield to Wanganui Garrison; Dunedin Exhibition shield and Hawke shield to St. Kilda: B grade: Boosey shield and cup and special Dunedin ' Exhibition shield to Greymouth: Lewis Eady shield for the winner of the C grade test to Roxburgh. "A MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY." FINE MILITARY MOVEMENTS, MAXIMUM MARKS FOR PACING. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DUNEDIN, Sunday. . The da} 1, for the bands' quickstep competition opened yesterday most in%auspiciously. The committee decided that despite the weather the quickstep competition would have to be carried throumias most of the bands could not stay iwF a postponed contest. The exhibition ground was a series of lakes and presented a sorry sight for a spectacular marching event of the kind—in fact the' ground was in such a state that it became necessary to abandon a portion of the military movements. The track along which the bands marched in front of Uie stand and along which the 100 yards test was done was made fairly firm by a liberal application v of cinders and the going hero proved to be quite satisfactory judging from the time and pacing test. Once this was left, however, the bandsmen had to enter the water in many-places several inches deep and the showers of spray thrown from the banrlsmens' feet presented a grotesque and somewhat unique experience.

Towards the time of commencing the ■competition the rain- clouds became thicker and the rain falling lightly at first became heavier and did not cease up to the time the last band had played. Winning Band's Performance.

The Auckland Artillery Band, which repeated last year's success, gave a magnificent display, the: men marching with machine like precision while the various turns, wheeling and other movements, were carried out in a manner which earned frequent rounds of applause from the thousands of people who, despite the rain, had assembled' to watch the event. The reputation of the baud had preceded it and its movements were followed with the utmost interest.

The Aucklanders gave an admirable exhibition of . discipline and military move-; merit. The playing, of the band was also very fine as was disclosed by the judge's award, the allocation of points—9o out of 100—representing a high-grade rendering of the march, " London Pride" (Moorhouse). The merit of the band's performance in' the military section .will be realised by the very high-marks it gained, namely 183£ out of a possibly 200, a percentage which, even on a dry ground,: would have represented a superb display. The pacing vras perfect, the lOOyds test being- traversed in exactly 120 paces, for which the band received the maximum marks. It was the only competitor to gain this coveted figure. Tne time test was not quite so accurate, the allotment of points being Still, considering the state of the going, this represented a high-grade performance. For every fifth of a second of error half a. point was deducted from the maximum. Under several sections the band scored within a point of the maximum allotment while for the right turn, a perfect piece of work in every respect, the full marks were awarded. The weakest ell'crt in the sub-sections was the right wheel, in which the drum-major, apparently mistaking' one of the sign posts, had one file of his men on the wrong side. This caused a' loss of' 2£ points out of a 100. St Eilda's Good Display.

, The second highest, in drill in the military section was the St. Kilda Band which, playing in the worst of the rain, gave a very solid display and was alloted 171§ marka. Its pacing was excellent with 23-i, points, .hut the band was considerably out in its time test and received but 16 .points, or s£' points''less than the Auckland Artillery. If this time test was eliminated it would be seen that-St. Kilda';: military display ran the winner very - close, .'St. Kilda was bracketed equal top for music with Palm.erston North, in which section Woohiton gained third place with 91 points. The 'Wangfinui Garrison, which won the selection. championship,, fell away from its high pacihg standard and was awarded 82 marks only. No doubt the heavy rain marred the effect of the band's tone though the conditions were no worse than for. many, of {lie "other bands. If there was any luek in the draw if; was in being placed early when the rain was not quite so heivv. ...

Other good military displays were given by Palmerston North (169f marks), Invercargill Battalion (169Jr), and Christchurch Municipal [169), while, several others followed close';. At the close of the competition the massed band performance was abandoned on account of the very bad vreather.