BAND CONTEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22393, 14 April 1936, Page 12

BAND CONTEST

QUICKSTEP DECIDED IMPROVEMENT IN MARCHING TE AROHA WINS B GRADE [from our OWN" correspondent] HAMILTON, Monday The B and C grade quickstep competitions in the South Auckland Brass Band Union's annual contest were decided at Rugby Park this afternoon before an attendance of nearly 3000. The weather was warm with a light ■easterly breeze. Visiting bandsmen were welcomed by the Mayor of Hamilton, Mr. J. R. F'ow, who said that the band contest had become an important event as far as South Auckland" wfts concerned. The Minister of Agriculture, tho Hon. Vi'. Lee Martin, was present, also Mr. R. Coulter, M.P. for Waikato, and Mr. C A. Barrel!, M.P. for Hamilton. The judge of the music was Mr. It. «T. Estall, of Christchurch, and Lieutenant T. P. Laffey was chief military judge. At the Conclusion of the contest Lieutenant Laffey spoke over the public address system and expressed satisfaction with tho improvement in tho marching. Generally the standard was excellent and he had seen many first grade bands that could not come up to the standard set by the competitors. He congratulated the competition committee on its organisation and efficiency.

Playing of Marches . The judge, Mr. Estall, said he was pleased to find a great improvement in the way the marches were played. However, there,was still room for improvement, especially with the basses, many being weak in this section. He stressed the importance of striving for resonance and pulsation. Ho considered that while some of the competitors were responsible' for excellent performances others were rather cloudy. The results wore as follows: — C Grade Quickstep, test march "New Dominion" (J. E. Reynolds).—Pukokohe Municipal Band, 257$ points, 1; Te Awamutu Municipal Band, 238 points, 2. These were tho only competitors. B Grade Quickstep, test march "Roughrider" (Greenwood). —Te Aroha Municipal Band, 279$ points, 1; Cambridge Municipal Band, 260j points, 2; Hamilton Citizens' Band, 258J points, 3. Other points were:—Tauranga Municipal Band, 242 i; Whakatane Citizens' ' Band, 235|; Waikato Regimental and .Hamilton Municipal Band, 226 J. Street Competition The str'eet march competition was •won by the Pukekohe Municipal Band, which also secured a special trophy for the highest number of musical points secured. At the conclusion of the quickstep competition this afternoon the massed bands played "The Middy" (K. Alford) under the conductorship of the judge, Mr. Estall. The contest was concluded in tho Drill Hall this evening, when the open . solo events were decided. Following were the results: —

Cornet Section. —T. Fleetwood (Whakatane), 94 points, 1; B. L. Houlton (Hamilton Citizens'), 92 points, 2; L. Lee (Te Awamutu), 91 points, 3. Other Instruments. —J. G. Ford (Tauranga'), 95 points, 1; B. Zinsli (Te Awamutu),. 94 points, 2; R. Willis (Te Awamutu), M. McKenzie (Hamilton Citizens'), E. Thompson (Whakatane), 93 points, equal, 3. B GRADE PIPE BANDS SUCCESS OF HAWERA UNIT [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Monday The New Zealand B grade pipe band contest was concluded to-night. The Hawera Pipe Band was placed first in the quickstep, first in the drum-majors' display, second in the test selection, fourth in the street ma rely and first in the aggregate, winning £35. The New Plymouth Pipe Band was ranked'second, having been placed first in the test selection, third in the quickstep, and second in the aggregate, taking £25. . . , Manawatu was third, gaining second place in "the quickstep, fourth in the test, and third in the aggregate, taking £ls. The Ruahine Band was placed fourth, having gained third place in the test and fourth in the quickstep. In all, six bands competed, including the Motueka Ladies' Band and Feilding. The drum-majors' display was won by HaweraJ with New Plymouth second and Manawatu third. The contest was a great success, the takings/amounting to £BOO.