BANDSMEN’S NOTES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6623, 12 September 1908, Page 4

BANDSMEN’S NOTES.

(By "Mfigenta.") are reiJucEtod to address their communications to "Magenta," care “S-r/i /.min ml Tillies,’’ Wollineton. Ali ('.mi-miVVions for insertion in tno fiiw. n i issue of the "New Vi Uli ■ must reach this office i a 11 Wednesday noon of the Ti,< o-'r-,, of reminders and secretin I 1 i is solicited, in orri-r that tin-, ,ion I made as f - tenchins in i;ttsis.,L as yo-Able. MUX ICI I.’A L CONCERT FIXTURES. Sept. W-Niiwtcvrn, Newtown Park, 3 Scpß dO -Tramway.;, Botanical Gardens, Snpt. "1--Mi,,oioii, Town Hall, 8 p.tn. .ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. iV.A.U., Huntings.—Tlianka for pars. UT-it’ing you. MR. CHARLES WOOD. TlumMi iin-.v emjngi'd principally with orclnrural work, il-r diaries Wood has lira lon-sidcniblo brass band experience, ilo was horn at Guiaek-y, Yorkshire, in 187] ids lather being Sir Richard Wood, now of the IXutt. Young Wood commented his musical .cud if a early in life. At Harrogate ho studied under Otto Reinhardt, at that time solo-viola with Sir Charles Halle's orchestra ami conductor ot Harrogate Spa iiu came with ids parents to New Zealand. ill; father was conductor of Tiniaru City Band, ami the son blossomed oat lib a cornet player of ability, competing at the Oiuuc.ru contests. After an experience us a professional musician in Timnru, in company with Air Richard Wood, Charks accepted the comUictorsliip of Ashburton Orchestral Society, which he occupied tor two years, when

he removed to Invercargill and joined the Musical Union there, under the leadership of Mr G. Gray. While in the southern city, Mr Wood was appointed conductor of the City Guardi/ Brass Baud, which position he tilled with credit to himself and to tho band. During the Doer War ho went to South Africa as bugle-major, with the Seventh Contingent, under Colonel Porter, and after eignleen months’ service returned to Nev Zealand, taking up music as his profession at tho Ilutt. Hero ho started the Lower Unit Erase Band, of which he was tho first conductor. A little later Mr Wood was appointed conductor of Petono Operatic Society, and produced the “Pirates of Penzance/' Tho occasion was notable, in that it proved how a good stage manager has been lost in Mr T. Wilford, who acted in that capacity in Pctone. That same year, 1906, Mr Wood was appointed a member of tho New Zealand Exhibition Orchestra, playing tho viola, for which instrument ho always had a liking. At tho conclusion of "tho “Big ttnow" he joined tho Onera House orchestra, of which ho is still a member, besides being one of the executive of Wellington Professional Orchestra. 'Mr Wood is a capable, enthusiastic musician, being equally at home on brass, wood, or string instruments. What the brass band world has lost in him tho orchestral world has gained, au-.l time may reveal Mr Wood again wearing a uniform and wielding a baton. THE “KILTIES" BAND. Music is the universal language of civilisation. It speaks alike to all humanity, and takes its message to the heart in every land without an interpreter. And of all dialects of the language of music—to continue tho'figure—none is more generally .popular than that of tho band. A band, if it be of the front rank {says “The Lone Hand") appeals to nil; to the ardent devotee, whose love of music approaches melomauia, and to tho general populace, whose musical taste is crude and undeveloped. For the band has- within it tho chief elements of the varied kinds of music-making, and tho attraction which is given by the spectacle of a great mass of players co-operating harmoniously under inspiring leadership. So people find band music strangely “stirring." It moves the blood to quicker pace. It gives pleasure, exhilaration. Now Zealand, like Australia, will have a warm welcome, therefore, for the “Kilties," on© of the world’s most famous bands, now on a four years' tour of the world. Most bands are the product of a city, the pride of a certain regiment, or the enterprise of a private individual. The “Kilties" strive to represent the national features of their Scots motherland. For that reason they produce the stirring war-like costumes, the bagpipes, the wild war slogans of the clans, the dances, and add to band music vocal renditions of the great airs of the British Empire—the Bailor's hornpipe, tho Irish jig, tho reel of Tulloch, the intermingled folk-songs* marches, medleys, «irs and ballads of the United Kingdom, backed throughout by the harmoniously modulated brass and reed band. In parades tho “Kilties" are headed by two giant drum-majors, each over 7ffc high. The choir attached to the band is of twenty male voices, and there is, too. in the organisation a group of famous Soots dancers. So it is complete for the representation of martial and national sentiment. Albert Johnston, their famous .piper, has received more decorations than any piper living, and the band cherishes a baton presented to its conductor by King Edward, upon the occasion of hia second royal command of their services, to celebrate his sixty-third birthday. The “Kilties" come to Australasia from the United States, after an eight years' tour of Great Britain and America, and their stay will extend over tho months of September, October, and November, and is under the direction of that astute musical impresario, Mr Frederic Shipman. A New- Zealand tour will meet likely bo undertaken during the month of December. NOTES A ball in aid of Petoue Citizens' Band w is hold on Wednesday evening, in the Drill Hall, when there was a good attendance, and funds should substantially benefit. Mr Len. King, solo cornetist, q( Wei-,

lington Professional Orchestra, leaves to-night for Christchurch, where ho joins J. C. Williamson's orchestra for the ‘'Humpty-Dumpty’' season. Lyttelton Marino Band ip organising a massed band parade in Hagley Park to-morrow (Sunday afternoon) in aid or the- band’s expenses in connection with the Timaru contest.

Bluff Band is bestirring itself, and giving a concert about the 18th inac. Aid showing the esprit do corps existing amongst Southland bands, eoverftl Invercargill bands intend assisting at the concert.

Newtown Brass Band, under Conductor Parker, will play at Newtown Park to-morrow (Sunday), at 3 p.m. 'The Central Mission Band is booked to give the next municipal concert in the Town Hail on tho 2ith inst.

Invercargill Municipal Band held its annual social on the 4th inst., in Victoria Hall, when seventy couples graced the Boor, and the music was contributed by Gilchrist’s orchestra. The function was thoroughly successful. Tramway Band gave a performance at Island Bay on Sunday afternoon. The threatening stale of tho weather kept a number of the public away-including “Magenta"—but nevertheless a tine programme was played. A fair number of tho public gathered at tho hospital on Sunday afternoon, when the hirst Battalion Band gave a performance in aid of tho funds of the institution. .Mr E, L. Dean conducted, and tho programme (published in last week's notesj was very creditably given.

At a recent meeting of tho bazaar committee of Jupp's Brass Band, it was decided to open mo bazaar on Wednesday, October ‘Jyth. As the proceeds are to be devoted to purchasing new instruments and uniforms, it U imped the public will show appreciation of tho band's past services ny donations, either in cash or goods, towards suck a laudable object.

\\ inton Brass Band, under the leadership oi‘ Air Lriasco, is making excellent progress. A movement is on loot tor ike purpose of procuring a set of now instruments, and the baud is giving entertainments in various parts of tire district in furtherance of that object. The members have inaugurated a minstrel troupe, and the proceeds of several concerts inheady given are swelling the funds conrddei abiy, so that the new instruments are already within sight. .Saturday evening band music is rather an unknown quantity in most of our cities, but i notice Mastorton Municipal Band is announced to give a select programme of music to-night in Queen street, Masu-rton, under the conductorship of Mr .Vanmam. This band is evidently a “live” organisation, for a minstrel troupe has been formed amongst the members, which is billed to give an entertainment in the local Town Hall on Wednesday the :23rd inst. Central Mission Band, under Conductor Baker, gave .an open-air performance on Sunday evening, when a large number of tile public assembled to hear them A line programme was submitted, and tile bandsmen played up to their usual excellent standard. Tne band is very strong numerically at present, and each man takes life keenest interest in las work. (Jn Tnun-dav evening, the 3rd insfc.j they travelled to Pctone, and cieakd quite a stir by their playing iu the streets. 1

At a concert hold in the Town Hall on tile 3rd Bust, in aid of the Eastbourne Church of England building fund, Wellington damson Band contributed the in't.c part of the programme, as follows: ALarcli, “Howitzer 1 f\\ kite; ", sacred air, with variations, “Sandon" (dimmer); overture, “Poet and Peasant" (von Supye); nir, ‘‘A Welsh Melody” (Kirnirior). The items were well played, and met with much appreciation. ~Lieut. T. Herd conducted.

Judging by remarks of the “Otago Witness” baud scribe, the question of a municipal braes baud for Dunedin will be decided on tho return of Kaikorai Band from Ballarat contest. The boots city, I lire its sisters, finds that a multioi brass bands docs not necessarily indicate a high standard of playing, and when Mr Laidlnw and his men return from their tour, th© pick of the Kaikorai players probably will form the nucleus of tho municipal band.

Petono Brass Band gave an open-air performance in the recreation ground on Sunday _ afternoon, under Conductor Jones. Owing to the unpropitious state of the weather the attendance of the public was not all that could bo desired, but th© band got through tho following programme very criditably March, “Kulgoorlie"; selection, ‘‘Memories of Oil Ireland"; cornet solo, “The Lost Chord' ; glco, VHohenliuden"; euphonium solo, “Kocked in th© Cradle of the Deep"; march, “Western Boom."

Hastings Town Bond is holding a living whist and ‘'kirniees" entertainment during tho last week of this month, in aid of its instrument fund. Th© services of Major O, O. -Sheets hav© been secured in order to carry out th© entertainment in its entirety, and as he has conducted similar exhibitions throughout Canada, and in New Plymouth, Wanganui, Nelson, Tinaaru, and Dunedin, th© band s funds promise to be increased by a substantial amount thereby.

A contemporary remarks;—-' Things do not appear too rosy in the theatrical’ iniß—either here or in Australia—what ■With poor houses and abandonment of vaudeville in favour of picture shows. wonder the Eoyal Artillery Band have cut New Zealand out of their programmer According to an exchange at a bandsmen's dinner in Sydney reMr Henry Gee, manager of Wests Pictures, urged the Eoyal Artillery Band to visit New Zealand befora returning to Great Britain. Hia experienoo was such that through the efforts ot the late Mr Seddton and the stillliving Sir Joseph Ward, the had no hesitetion in saying that in many respects JNew Zealand was miles ahead of the Commonwealth of Australia—a statement that was received with applause. At a recent meeting of members and supporters of Te Aroha Band, the chairman (Mr T. Donovan) said they had been plodding along for a good while to get cud band reorganised, and, it was time something definite was done. It was no S w t for a settlement being effected between the trustees and the Council, or there would be no band for next season. What was wanted was a contest band, which would act ns a goon advertising medium for the town, and aiso_ tend towards the advancement of music. It was necessary to elect officials and arrange for commencing practices. Officers were elected os follower—Patron, Captain Montgomery; prescient, Mr Somers; conductor, Mr T. Donovan; bandmaster, Mr Buchan; secretary and treasurer, Mr Atkinson; committee Mersrs Fawcett, Firth, McCartney, Boles Bygrave Donovan, Buchan, Atkinson! <xnd Jim. It was decided to distribute th© instruments the following Monday night. J

The editor of the "Australian Bandsman thinks it a tremendous waste of time and energy and money for a band to travel from New Zealand to Ballarat tD compete in one contest only. In citing instances in the visits of former bands to New South Wales and Victoria, of the Wellington Garrison to Bathurst in 1899, Oamaru and Invercargill Garrison Bands to Melbourne, he contrasts the outlay of the bands for one contest only, with the visits of football teams that play perhaps a score of matches at perhaps the same expenditure. The editor's remarks (adds "Cornet" in

"Otago Witness") suggest a feasible project that would certainly give more return for the outlay incurred by the visiting band. The difficulty would be on the score of time, as competing at oven, say, half-a-dozen contests within easy radius would mean at least another fortnight before or after the big competition at Ballarat. Mr Gartrcll suggests that Victorian Band Association should get to

work and arrange a contest at Bendigo, Geelong, and one or two other suitable centres. A committee in each town could im got together and each committee could give a guarantee of a sum of, say, £SO or £GO to Kaikorai Band. This would probably ensure the acceptance from the visitors, wiio could meet local bands in contest, tho latter to have any profit after expenses had been met. If steps arc to bo taken to adopt these proposals it will, of course, be necessary to act at once. ' Hastings Town Band (writes a correspondent.) is at present in want of a bandmaster—one who would bo able to teach members something, as they have had none for the past fifteen years or so) They've had peorde who stood in the ring and waved a stick, and at times shouted out and turned handsprings. Mr Schnack, of Port band, has Eomc notion of moving up Hastings way, should circumstances prove favourable. Tho band is in -a good financial position, and would pay a fair salary to a good teacher —say .£75. The secretary would be glad to hear of anyone capable and available. The baud recently loot a fine player in the late Mr Prank Oaulton, who died suddenly, and a concert was held on August SOth, on the racecourse, in aid of his widow and family. It is hoped to raise .£250 or £3OO, and donations aro coming in well so far. , Waipukurau now has a brass band, which is before the public pretty often. “This is an example (says a contributor) that all country bands should follow, as the public like a lot and like it often, and don't oar© a d about a lot of high-flown stuff, which is only suitable for big cities, where they, have the players to do it and the population large enough to appreciate it." There is a good deal in what this contributor says, but at th© same time there is no need for a brass band to stultify itself, simply because it is a country band, by leaving “high-flown stuff” strictly alone. It must b© born© in mind that a band hm an educative duty to perform, and it is not sufficient to merely tickle tho ears of the public with coon songs and two-steps, etc. Even in remote country districts lovere of good music can be found, not necessarily high-class music, but a shad© above that of th© tum-ti-tum variety. Success, Waipukurau I t On Thursday, 24th September, Wellington Professional Orchestra will give its first popular concert in the Opera House. Three sacred concerts have been given in the Town Hall on different Sunday evenings, and the public have testified by their numbers the estimation in which the Orchestra is held. In order to add to its musical repertoire, a series of popular concerts has been arranged for, and it is hoped the public will generously support the Orchestra in its laudable endeavours to provide up-to-date music, “The Forge in the Forest," a comparatively new descriptive piece, will form a main feature of the programme. All the adjuncts so necessary to effective production will b© presented; and as the orchestra has been very diligent in its .-practices, the public have a genuine treat in store. Other compositions to be presented at this concert include the “Sizielletta" morceau, “Fortune Teller" selection, and “The Grasshopper" descriptive selection.