BAND CONTEST.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 934, 24 January 1890, Page 17

BAND CONTEST.

A competition of a somewhat novel character in this city, in the shape of a band contest, was held at the Drillshed on Saturday night, the competing bodies being the Garrison, Protestant, Gray’s, and Jankina’ Bands. It will be remembered that the promoters of the Jubilee Art Union had arranged a band contest as a part of their scheme, but they subsequently decided to abandon it. The principal local bands, having been assiduously practising for the great event, did not feel inclined to let it pass by, and the various bandmasters, having met to discuss the matter, decided to have a contest on their own account. The idea is that these competitions shall be held periodically, and that in time they will become of such importance as to induce bands in other parts of the Colony to take part in them. In this way a double object will bo achieved, for the local institutions wilS necessarily improve under the influeaeo oS that competition which is the soul of ©very business, and a delightful and profitabla amusement will be offered to the people of the city. Although Saturday night’s contest was only a comparatively small undertaking, it was an entire success. The attendancewas very large, and the keenest interest was displayed iu the rivalry of the several! bodies engaged. The music provided, tooj, was, all things considered, exceedingly good,, as well iu selection as in treatment. It is evident that we have in Wellington the material for two or throa first-class bands, and no doubt a healthy rivalry will stimulate musicians to greater exertions. The four bandshaving marched from the Manners-street Fire Brigade station to the Drillshed, began their work punctually at 8 o’olook. The first contest was that of playing a selection, the winner to take 25 per cent, the second best 15 per cent, and the third 10 per cent of the “gate money.’* There were no sight tests, it may be explained—each band chose its own selection. The drawing resulted in Mr Jenkins’ Band having to play first, their pi&oe beiDg a selection from Verdi’s “Ernani.” The Protestant Band followed with a selection from “Maritana Mr Gray’s Band with “Excelsior”( Round) ; and the Garrisos band with “ Cinq Mars.” Th© playing generally was much better than had been expected. Mr Gray’s Band performed their selection in splendid style, and the Garrison Band showed vast improvement, as the result of tho appointment of Mr T. Herd (late of Timaru) a 3 bandmaster. The Protestants and Mr Jenkins’ bands also played verywell indeed. The judges—Messrs R. W. Raymond, R, A. Marshall, and Townsend—gave their verdict to Mr Gray’s Band, and in that respect appeared to take the popular view. The next competition was in Quicksteps, the prize being a silver-plated cornetpresented by Messis Hoffmann and Sons. Therejjagain Mr Gray ’s Band were victorious, Mr Jenkins’ Band beiug’placed second and the Protestant Band third. Tho detailed results are as follow : SELECTIONS. “ Excelsior ” 'SL Round), Mr r G. Gray’s Band (14 performers, Mr Gray conductor! 2DS points 1 “Cinq Mars’* Garrison Band (19? performers, ar q\ Herd cond,uctorjf, 194 DO’ats 2 M Maritana ” (Wallace), Protestant Band (20 perfe; rmerSj Mr j m King conductor! iB3 points 3 V Frnani,” Mr Jenkins’ Band (19 performers, Mr Jenkins conductor), 158 points ... ... .. ... ... 4 QUICKSTEP, “ Rough and Ready (H. Round), Mr Gray’s Band, 223 points 1 “ Horatius ” (E. Newton), Mr Jenkins’ Band, 207 points 2 “Lea Gorges du Fier” (Franz Hitz), Protestant Band ... .. ... 3 “ Eldorado,” Garrison Band, 188 points 4 Mr C. D. Mackintosh made an excellent master of ceremonies. It is to be hoped that these contests will be continued. The defeated bands on Saturday night were by no means disgraced, for they played in excellent style though they had fea compete against a band (Mr Gray’s) whose work would have been notable in any contest in the Colony. Mr Jenkinss* Band as a young institution, and the Garrison Band, as having latterly beqomp a little bit dilatory, are to be complimented upon their performances, and Mr Kiog’ B Band also deserve praise for their playing, especially in the quiokstep.