BAND MUSIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22392, 13 April 1936, Page 12

BAND MUSIC

CONTEST AT HAMILTON MAIN EVENT TO TAURANGA PUKEKOHE WINS C GRADE [VROIt OUII OWN" correspondent] HAMILTON. Sundny The South Auckland Brass Band Union's annual contest for grade B and crude C bands was commenced in Hamilton yesterday afternoon. The solo and band tests were heard in the Drill Hall, Knox Street, and attracted large attendances at both the afternoon and evening sessions. Iho contest was arranged by a competent committee under tho presidency of the Mayor of Hamilton, Mr. J. R. Fow. Tho judge was Mr. R. -T. Estall, of Cliristchurch. Tho first test was the boys' solo competition, own choice, for boys under 17. There were two sections, one for cornets and the other for any other instrument. There wero 14 entries in tho first section and six in tho second. Cornet solos wero played during intervals by Mr. Alau Morton, of Auckland.

Results of Testa Tho results of the tests were as follows Boys' Solo Competition. —Cornet section: Ted Fleetwood (Whakatane Citizens' Band), 91 points, 1; L. Lee (Te Awnmutu Municipal Band), 89 points, 2; F. Redman (Waikato Regimental and Municipal Band), 3, and novice prize

Other Instruments Section, Boys.— Tom Fleetwood (JVhakatane Municipal Band), euphonium, 86 points, 1; K. Johnson (Whakatane Citizens' Band), euphonium, 80 points, 2; K. Knight (Waikato Regimental and Hamilton Municipal Band), trombone, and J. Whit© (Cambridge Municipal Band), tenor horn, 79 points, equal, 3, and novice pri/.e.

The judge, in awarding the points, said lie had been greatly delighted and impressed by the boys' cornet section. Every performance showed considerable merit. The performance of tho winner had been most artistic, and he had given perfect cadence in his tone. Muffled playing was noticeable in tho renditions of other players. Although possessing remarkable ability, the second placed competitor had shown faulty punctuation, and his style had been too assertive.

Admirable characteristics, ho added, were shown by Tom I lectwood, the winner of the section for other instruments. Too many performers had lost quality in tone. C Grade Test Selection (own choice). —Pukekohe Municipal Band (Mr. E. Johnston, conductor), 109 points, 1; Te Awamutu (Mr. It. H. Close), 109 points, 2. The only entries. " Improvement in Playing "

B ' Grado Test Selection, "Don Sebastiauo" (Donizetti). Tauranga Municipal Band (Mr. E. Patterson), 121 points, 1; Hamilton Citizens' Band (Mr. F. Kear), 120 points, 2; Whakatane Citizens' Band (Mr. R. ileetmental and Hamilton Municipal Band (Lieut. A. E. Savage), 116 points, 4; To Aroha Municipal Band (Mr. H. S. Powell), 112 points, 5; Cambridge Municipal Band (Mr. M. McMahon), 109 points, 6. Mr. Estall said that last year he had somo drastic criticism to offer concerning tho playing of the South Auckland bands, and ho was glad to note that there had been a decided improvement in the work of the bands since then. _ A judge looked for inspiration in band music, lip said, but only ono band had given it that evening.- Most of tho bands had played the soft movements too heavily. Soft playing was the hardest work, but when done properly it was the most beautiful and caressing. The larghetto was disappointing. The intonation generally was splendid, while the reading was intelligent and well done. Both the C grade bands had played excellently. The visiting bandsmen were entertained at a garden party in Parana Park this afternoon. There was a large attendance of the public. The Mayor, Mr. J. R. Fow, extended a cordial welcome to the visitors. Music was played by several bands, including the Caledonian Society's pipe band. Afternoon tea was served to tho visitors. Last Night's Performances

The hymn tests, own choice, were played before a crowded audience in the Theatre Royal to-night. The results were as follows: —

C Grade.—Te Awamutu, 115 points, 1; Pukekohe, 110 points, 2. The only entries. B Grade. —Hamilton Citizens , 116 points, 1; Cambridge, 114 points, 2; Tauranga, 113 points, 3; To Aroha, 112 points, 4; Whakatane, 110 points, 5; Waikato Regimental, 109 points, 6. The judge said that on the whole the playing was very commendable. The tuning was good and there was the right atmosphere about the music. The To Awamutu Band, however, was the only combination in the two grades which played with inspiration. Nervousness apparently marred some of the performances. HIGHLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS ALL EVENTS WON BY TIMARU [by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WANGANUI, Sunday The New Zealand A Grade Highland Pipe Band contest was concluded last night and resulted in a triumph for the Timarii Highland Pipe Band, which came first in all the events promoted, the quickstep, drum major's display and test selection. The Dunedin Highland Pipe Band ranked next in the aggregate, having gained third place in the test, and second place in the quickstep. The City of Christchurch Band was ranked third, having come second in the tost and third in the quickstep. Wanganui was fourth. The points awarded wore as follows: Quickstep: Timaru, 168 2-5 for drill, 99 for music; total, 2(37 2-5. Dunedin, 163 3-10 for drill, 100 (the possible) for music; total, 263 3-10. City of Christchurch, 163 3-10 drill, 97 music; total, 260 3-10. Wanganui, 154 9-10 drill, 94 music; t0ta1,.248 9-10. Test Solection. —Timaru, 98; Christchurch, 87; Dunedin, 96; Wanganui, 95.

Drum Major's Display. Timaru, 93J; Christchurch, 89; Dunedin, 84J; Wanganui, 79. Timaru takes the Championship Shield, the Harry Lauder Shield, the John Begg Challenge Cup, the Hunter Drill Shield and tKe Goulding Challenge Cup.