BANDSMEN'S NOTES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6861, 3 July 1909, Page 6

BANDSMEN'S NOTES.

(By '''Magenta.'") Correspondents an> requited to address their communications to "Magenta," core "New Zealand Times." Wellington. All communications for insertion in the current Saturdnv's issue of the "New Zealand Times" mtist reach this offioe not later than Wednesday r.'Oon of the same week. The co-oppra.tion of conductors and secretaries of bands is solicited, in order that this column'may be made as farreaching in interest as possible. COMING CONTESTS. Invercargill.—November 2nd, 3rd, and Blenheim.—November sth and 6th. Wanganui.—February, 1910 (about). MUNICIPAL FIXTURES. Ju'y B—Mission. Town Hall, 8 p.m. July 15—Newtown. Twivn llall,\B p.m. ' July 22-damson, TownHTall, 8 p.m. July 29—Jupp's,: Town Ball, 8 p.m. SUNDAY PROGRAMMES

While jealous of the rights -which belong -to brass bands, and keenly alive to any attempts which may be made to curtail their liberty, it yet seems necessary to speak somewhat plainly on the subject, of Sunday prosrammes. Without being at all Puritanical, the writer considers it high time sohie sort of supervision was exercised over the, class of music supplied to the public on Sundays. There is a tendency to irreverence in these degenerate days that, if pandered to, would very <iuickly usher in the Continental Sunday which so many sober-minded people stand in horror of. Especially is this the case, where music is AVhen-so much has been said about the elevating tendency of good music, and the. public are asked to support 01113 - combinations that strive to furnish ,tho public with' the, best in that line, it seems absurd * to allow trashy programmes to be played on Sunday without raising a voice of protest. Aa far as open-air music is concerned, much is loft to the discretion of individual conductors; but where that discretion is faulty, or non-existent, then •it. is time some provision was made to •surmount the difficulty. Brass bands should be educators, and they should •have an ideal towards which they could •always lead the public taste. It is the poor man's music, but he wants it as •good as he can get it, and on Sunday ho certainly should be supplied with all that is best and noblest of the Divine art. This aspect evidently does not •strike some brass bands within the •writer's knowledge, and it is to be regretted. If the concert is a. inunicipaj one, then the programme should be submitted beforehand to the Town Clerk, or the official censor (whoever he may •be). As much care should he exercised over a concert in the open-air on a Sunday as one in the Town Hall, but there is a great doubt as to whether such caro is exercised. Again, whether the Sunday open-air concert is a municipal one or not really does not matter. All music that is purveyed to the publio on Sundays should certainly be subject to' a certain amount of supervision. Waltz music is very nice in the proper place and nt the proper time, but is decidedly out of place on a Sunday •afternoon. There is plenty. of bright •and attractive music available for Sun-

day performances without descending to "I owe ten shillings to O'Grady," and others of that ilk, and if conductors •will not set a high standard themselves then that standard'should bo set for them. Popular music does not necessarily mean trashy stuff, and the sooner this is understood the better. As in 'books, so in music, the taste can be improved or depreciated. A close attention to trashy novels will in time 'permanently ingrain the taste as far as igood reading is concerned, and the same argument applies to music. Whatever is played during the week, we. should certainly look for something superior on. a Sunday, and it is the duty of conductors to realise their position and act up to the' requirements. *

MUNICIPAL BANDS. Dear Magenta,—l am sorry that our friend, Mr W. Mansell, lias taken mj "par" in your issue of "June 12th,' so sorely. I regret that I should lave placed a wrong interpretation on it. .1 oertainly read it that he suggested' certain players (mentioned) as suitable' for his munioipal band; and I am" not the only one, who erred in so reading, as three of those named, (and the only three I have happened to meet since his no'.e n :ip&a rod) are all under the impression that he referred to them. With regard to the advisability or otherwise of a. municipal band, I am quite prepared to allow Mr Mansell to enjoy.; his own opinion, and of course.expect him in return to:allow o.iir; City Council and the general public pay. th& piper)'; to enjoy theirs. Myi:"par" referred mostly to the '.injustice Imeted out to the five local bands, by ' his assertion that the music provided, last season was'"trash." Mr Mansell-now says, "I disclaim any injustice to any ChristclrUrch -band. . . but I assert fearlessly, that an intolerable amount', of .musical 'trash' was piayed, and challenge your correspondent to gainsay the fact, Possibly our friend's definition of. "musical ■ trash" may differ from my own, but I v cannot understand how Mr Mansell, 'after devoting no small amount of space to_ praising up some of the; poorest concerts of the season, now turns round and refers to the concerts as containing a "high percentage of musical trash." If Mr Mansell is a friend of our amateur bands, left him state the ■ items played during tho past season, that'he takes e&r caption to. Most, if not nil, of the programmes have been published in your columns. I have already • stated that last' season's programmes were happily conspicuous' for their almost entire absence of "coon music," arid I fancy that is the class of inusic usually ro-' ferred to as;"trash." I am quite willing to admit that one band did not play up to the form of previous years, and yet that same band. ivohld, if possible, undertake- to supply all the : concerts given by tho five bands; but rill bands have their uns and downs, and possibly the band referred may be in better form before November. My contention ■_ is that our amateur bands should .receive every encouragement. We have five very fair bands,- not all up to contest form I admit, but it is impossible for anyone to "wipe out" even one of those bands, let alone two. till the band itself decides to disband; therefore, what is the good of talking about such, a thing? If a municipal band is formed, it nyu6t of necessity become a sixth band, and will, as a consequence, affect existing bands. I think I have made_ my position clear. I like to.be. fair and encourage all bands.—l -arm etc., • "HARMONY:" WANGANUI NOTES. (By "Trotter."). . * : During Industries' and Boat Bace week the Garrison band was out on Monday and Thursday, evenings, and the City band on Tuesday: evening.■• The programmes -were rendered from. -the Kutlaud Hotel balcony. On Monday evening, after its performance, the Gar-

risen members were entertained at .Du - tine's Ltd., by Mr Sheriff, a visitor from Gisborne. I had a call Last week from Mr James CWrove, master of the Manaia municipal band. The band is sticking well together and looking forward to tne Wanganui contest. , . Another visitor was Mr A. Stokes, second horn of the Federal band, Ujfiborne, and late of the Xaikoura brass Through the representations of Mr Wade, the Wanganui. Jockey Club has consented to erect a band rountdaon. the lawn, to replace the one ic™|ed some two years ago. The Garrison has not been able to do itself 'justice at the ?°ccs on account of having no rotunda and being placed to near the rwo to Vone bar Vone's." The Garrison band gave a concert last Sunday at the Hospital in aid of.ground improvement, and will also assist at tne Museum concert next FTiday. _ An English paper states that the Besses are arranging a tour of boutn. Africa. Mr Bogle the auuer, instructed to engage Mr John Pales, the celebrated cornet, player (formerly of Black Dike), as principal cornet. Fftlej, when quite a lad, played in America under the direction of i\ S. Gilmore, of Gihnore's famous band.. His playing even then was a revelation, and a. challenge was issued for him to p ay anyone in the United States, a challenge that was never accepted. He returned to England and has remained there «ei since.

CHRISTCHURCH DOINGS (By "Harmony.") The Christchurch Professional Band (Conductor A. G. Heath) played at the Scottish Society's concert and social on Juno 24th. ... . , . xne i\ew Brighton municipal band held an invitation "social" on July Ist. Mr F. Benjamin, of South Malvern District band, called on me during the week. Mr Benjamin reports good attendances and good practices, and t hope, to see this band represented at Kaiapoi. „ „ , Mr K. Stanteford, late of Oamaru, has taken up his residence in Chrißtckurcli, and has joined the Elite band. Mr Stanteford is a tenor horn player. On Saturday, June 19th, the,Little .River band held. a smoke concert in honour of Mr W. White, a member of the band, who is leaving for Itaikoura, possibly for some considerable tune. The chairman mentioned Mr Whites long connection with the band, and the regret that the members felt at losing him, even temporarily, as, whenever possible he was a regular attendant at practice. The band sincerely hopes that he will soon return, as bandsmen ui country districts are not easy to get, and when a man leaves, it generally means training another raw recTuit. However it wishes Mr White every success at Kaikoura. I am afraid some of our New Zealand bands, and Christchurch bands m particular, will have a very serious difficulty to face in the near future, ancl that is "Where are the future players? Ido not know of any coming 'stars in the cornet section, for instance. Where are the players to take the plaees_ of such men as B. C. Derry, F. and H. Fox, C. Dunn, G. E, Patterson, F. Taylor, and other present-day performers.-' lha younger cornet players seem to show no promise of making first-lass playors. Again, all the local bands have ceased to take in raw learners. For a time one or two bands had learners classes in the winter, but without the lookedfor success, as the lads were often induced to join bands almost as soon as they were able to play their scales. At nresent. so far as I can see, the only"recruiting ground of the future, is from Salvation Army and country bands. Thin should not be; every band, in mv opinion, should have a junior band from which to draw players, as occasion arises, .for its senior band. •

NOTES Lieut. Kemp, well-known to S.A. bandfnvn, has left for Sydney on a. fortnight's holiday. From the secretary of the Marlborough Jubilee Band contest I have received a copy of the rules and tions. Those will be dealt with in my next "Notes." , s ' The Mission band, under" Conductor Bjker, is scheduled to give a performance (municipal) in the Town Hall next Thursday night, for which a. good programme is in readiness. Wellington South S.A. band has made great progress of late, and Conductor. Lilley seems to have it well under control The band has a league membership' of something like fifty supporters. The "Australasian '■ Bandsman" ex> 'presses the hope that a Commonwealth 'band will be able to take part in the forthcoming Wanganui contest. The visit would meet with general favour in New Zealand, and be tne precursor of many v.sits , between Commonwealth" 'and Dominion. - • ~.

Under the able, conductorship of Mr Clareburt, Wellington : Tramways Band is making excellent progress,; and is likely to certainly astonish its next audience. The band has not been heard for some time, the Town Hall not being available, but much care has been bestowed on the programme for the next municipal concert. Petone brass band's recent bazaar has resulted in the. funds being augmented by JU4O. A pleasing feature.in connection with tho .function was the hearty cooperation of other bands—Petone Citizens', Wellington Garrison, and Wellington Pipe Band; and as one good turn deserves another, these three bands can rely on Petone brass band returning the conlpliment when the occasion 'arises. There is much talk among the members of Petone 8.8. of new instruments, uniforms, and contests, about which more will be hoard after the annual meeting, •which had to be postponed' until after the bazaar.

It is tho practice of some bandsmen to like variety, or there may be another reason, but the fact is that the bandsmen who is continually changing his band is becoming rather much of a nuisance. Several Wellington bands have become acquainted: with this class of gentleman, and his unreliability has aroused the exasperation of the conductors. A man who keeps chopping and changing about from J . one band to janother is of no earthly good to any band or to himself, and the suggestion has been mooted that a. Brass Band Conductors' Association be formed "to deal with this and- other matters. : There are many questions which. could be discussed amongst the conductors, of general good to tho bands, and the formation of such an association would be helpful in every way. , ' ~ ~'

On his arrival at Home, Mr "William Short was subjected to. the usual interview, and opened his mind freely on the subject of Commonwealth and Dominion bands as compared. with Old Country combinations. He considered (he tola his interviewer) that "Australian and New Zealand bands were generally below the standard'of those in tho North of Eijgmn<tyithoujfjiW;here were some excep]HoJl!2B§|GSttliM probably run at Belle Vue, Manchester-? (JilWi^or';-'in the sec-, ond section at the Crystal:Palace" contests. Near the top they certainly would be." While in Australia he told an interviewer that "the excellence of the Australian bands was a revelation to him, and' h* did not despair of seeing a Commonwealth combination oompeting.at the Crystal Palace against the best that England eould, produce. . . . The soloists were as "good as those of the EDglish." A contemporary remarks that "distance does make a difference in one's ■utterances. These two statements were made with some 16,000 miles of water between, but Mr Short would have done much better to speak out his mind when in Australia." .