BLIND CORNETIST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22353, 26 February 1936, Page 16

BLIND CORNETIST

DOMINION CHAMPION AUCKLAND YOUTH'S TRIUMPH YOUNGEST HOLDER OF TITLE PIECE LEARNED FROM BRAILLE [by TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] NEW PLYMOUTH. Tuesday Triumphing over blindness by memorising a difficult technical composition in Braille, Alan Morton, tho 17-year-old Auckland cornetist, made Dominion band history at tho New Plymouth Opera tjouse to-day when he won the New Zealand championship B flat cornet solo with a magnificent performance. The youngest cornetist ever to have been • awarded the title, Morton is a member of the Auckland Regimental Band aud tho Blind Institute Band. The test piece, "Sweet Spirit, Hear Sly Prayer," bristled with technical difficulties, and six of the 25 competitors withdrew, mostly failing on tho high rotes in tho upper register. Practically all the soloists lost points through faults in technique, and the only department in which a player could distinguish himself was in the treatment of tho theme. The depth of expression Morton put into the beautiful composition was remarkable, and gave him tho title. Judge Astounded After the announcement, which was practically drowned by applause, tho !' judge, Mr. A. Baile, of Sydney, was astounded when he learned of the winner's blindness. He referred to the intense expression of Morton's playing and as he shook hands a spontaneous ovation paid tribute to the gallant title- "* holder. Bandsmen from many parts of New * Zealand offered congratulations to Morton after the test, but when interviewed his first thought was of his tutor, Mr. George Bowes, conductor of * the Blind Institute and Auckland Regimental Bands, and one of New Zealand's best-known players. Incidentally, a nephew of Mr. Bowes, F. Bowes, was third 'in the championship. Morton has " been taught by Mr. Bowes ever since he was introduced to the instrument seven years ago. Twelve months ago Mr. C. Patchett, '!■ of the New Zealand Brass Bands Executive, told Morton that he should rank highly against open competition, and 0 the young- player decided to participate in his first solo championship. Memorised in a Fortnight ij The test piece was issued last Novem--1 ber and was transcribed into Braille by t Mr. Bowes. In a fortnight Morton had * memorised the composition, and with * his daily practices new ideas to add to - it were born. He considered that had it * been necessary he could have reached * his present standard within six weeks. i A tribute to W. Stevenson, of the ' Woolston Brats Band, who was second, 1 with one point leas than the winner, * was paid by .Morton. It was considered ? that Stevenson had a very good chance - V of winning and Morton said that before * the contest he thought he would be « quite satisfied if he were placed second. * ■ Morton has been a pupil of the New I Zealand Institute for the Blind since he t was six years of age. He is the leading I cornet player in the institute's military band, and has twice accompanied the band'on tours of the Dominion. During * the tour last spring his solo work ati tracted particularly favourable com- * ment, especially from veteran bandsI men, who encouraged him to enter for '• the New Zealand contest. t Morton has a small degree of vision, * but not sufficient to read music, so that he memorises his parts from the Braille ? musical notation. Prior to the contest - he practised assiduously for four hours £ a day. His parents reside in Wanganui. i He received his musical training at the •; institute.