BANDSMEN’S NOTES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7451, 27 May 1911, Page 12

BANDSMEN’S NOTES.

(By "Magenta.") SOUSA IX SYDNEY. By tho last Sydney mail came news that John Philip Sousa and his famous band had arrived in Sydney and hud been accorded an enthusiastic reception. Tho visitors arrived on the 15th inst., and crowds thronged the central railway station. Alter a great deal of handshaking the “March King" was driven to the Town Hall (where a public reception had been arranged) in a carriage with outsider's dressed in scarlet, his bandsmen following in drags. The mass- j ed city bands, under tho conductorsJup ; of Mr J. Devlin (who, it will be remembered, judged the last Dunedin contest), played lively ail's. street was blocked with thousands ox people, and the Town Hall could hold no more. As Mr Sousa made his appearance at the entrance to tho hall the Professional Musicians' Band, under Mr A. O’Brien, struck up tho “Stars and Stripes" march, ono of the veteran conductor s most popular airs. Major Bennie, who presided, introduced Mr Sousa in flattering terms, and Mr Beeby (Minister for Public Instruction) welcomed the conductor and his band on behalf of the State Government, to which the latter suitably responded. In the afternoon the visitors were entertained by tho Professional Musicians' Society. The evening concert drew a great crowd, and tho programme gave immense satisfaction. The concert Lasted only two hours and ten minutes, but encores were so frequent (sometimes as many as three being given) that the band alone played two dozen pieces. Two classical numbers were included in the programme—“Tannhauser" overture and “Bide of tho Valkyries/' both Wagner's—but most of the other items were compositions by the “March King'’ himself. Tho baud played with singularly telling balance, pure tone, delicate modulations, and effective climaxes, and Mr Sousa's stylo of conducting was entirely free from tho absurd exaggerations humorous writers had prepared the public to expect. Favourite pieces were Washington Post/' “El Capitan," “Manhattan Beach/' “Hobomoko," “Yankee Shuffle/' etc. Tho second concert was equally well attended, the programme including Tschaikowsky’s “1812" overture, a “Lohengrin" fantasia, the Jarnfelt “Praedudium/’ and some of Sousas marches. The band carries with it three soloists —Miss Virginia Boot, a talented soprano; Miss Nicotine ZeoeLer, a violinist of groat abilityj and Mr Herbert L. Clark*, a brilliant cometist. A warm welcome should awajt tho visitors this sid© of the Tasman Sea.

OLLA PO'DBIDA.. Mr Grimwood, late of Napier, and a tenor-horn player, has removed to Christchurch and joined the Lanwood Band. Irwell Springs Band (Eng.), winner or the Crystal Palace i championships in 1905 and 19G8, has invested in a complete set of Hawkes’ instruments. Mr JV Pheloung, the ex-Oamaru bandsman, at present bandmaster of Manly Band (Sydney), will play cornet and trumpet for the Melba Opera Conapany b tour. It is reported that Sousa s , Band did not do too well in’ South' Africa, which is to be regretted. If the public wishes to hear the best of other bands it must be generous in its support, or they will fight shy of trips away from home. . The -ex-conductor of Lyttelton Marine Band (Mr <3. E. Collins) lias formed an orchestra at Opawa, which is run on purely musical lines. Each member (writes "Tom Tom") plays for his or her natural love for music, and the financial considerations are decidedly minor. At a meeting of the committee of the Christchurch United Bands Association, last week, a letter was received from the Mayor (Mr T. E‘. Taylor) relative to the Coronation celebrations, and_ it was decided to recommend all affiliated bands to offer their sendees for the occasion. Few New Zealand bands can go back as far as the Kaiapoi (Canterbury)'Brass Band, which existed in 1863 and assisted in the celebrations in connection with the marriage of the late King Edward. The band can be depended on to take more than usual interest in the Coronation celebrations of King George V. Messrs Boosey and Co., of London, the well-known instrument-makers, have donated a massive silver shield for competition at Ballarat. The handsome trophy, which is valued at 75 guineas, was delivered by the donors duty free to the office of Secretary Hill, through Messrs Allan 8 and Co., the Victorian agents for Boosey and Co. .. I Writing on the coming Ballarat contest "Marmion” says: —"lt is to be hoped; that New Zealand will be represented at Ballarat. Lieut. Herd and his men should give a good account of themselves if they could arrange to make the trip. The citizens of Wellington could surely manage to send their, hand to Australia, especially after its recent splendid victory.” And feo say all of us! A large audience assembled in the Town Hall last Sunday evening when Wellington Garrison Band, under Lient. T. Head, gave an excellent jjrogrammc. There was a good muster of the band, which was in fine form. The programme included "Si J’Etais Roi” (Adams), "March Merrie Men" (H. an arrangement of "Lead, Kindly Light" by Lieut. Herd, and Round's air and variations of the "Spanish Chant." The playing was well up to the hand's wellknown standard, and \ the instrumental soloists acquitted themselves well. Vocalists who lent additional attraction! I ,to the programme were Mrs A. Mitchell and Messrs C. Clarkson and Okey. Mr Hollow was accompanist. • A recent issue of Hawkes and Son's "Musical Progress" states that municipal music still grows in popularity. At tho Parks' Committee meeting of the Manchester Corporation Mr Robert Lamb, tho general superintendent, made his annual statement on the cost of music in the parks. Daring the season there were 596 performances, costing .£3530, as compared with 533 performances and £3126 in tho previous season. In 1800, 485 performances cost £1771. During the 1910 season there were 214 Sunday performances and 352 on week-days, and it was estimated that 2,360,380 people went to the parks to hear the music. Yet another band is shortly to bo added to. Wellington's list of bands (writes a correspondent). This will be a drum and mo band in connection with St. Anne's cadets. The Von. Archdeacon Devoy, who is the enthusiastic merer in the matter, is to ho congratulated on securing the services of Mr F. L. Dean as conductor. Tho boys, who were all raw material throe, weeks ago, are under his baton making good progress. It will be of interest to the musical fraternity to learn that the first public appearance of the beys will take place in St. Thomas’s Hall, Newtown, in the second week in July, when they will be heard in an overture of Irish airs, specially written and arranged by their able conductor, Mr Dean.

"Flugel” writes:—Tho Feilding Brass Band gave a municipal concert in the rotunda last Sunday, which was tho best performance the band has given for some time. Tho baton was wielded by Hr J. G. Crean, lata conductor of the IT aura hi and Marten Royal bands. Mr Crean has been appointed conductor of tho Feilding Band and should he continue to coach the band as he has done in the three weeks that ho has been in charge tho hand will not -bo long before- something is heard of from it. 'The programme included the following:—March, "The Escort (Ord Hume); selection, "Bohemian Girl” (Balfe): trombone solo, by Bandsman E. Haybittle, ‘‘The Village Blacksmith"; selection. "Eucrezia Borgia” (Donnizetti); waltz, "Queen of Jewels’’ (Bourne); march, "Magnetic” (Haines). I shall inform yon from time to time of the programmes played.