THE BANDSMAN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7871, 5 August 1911, Page 10

THE BANDSMAN

From Messrs C. Begg and Co., Ltd., comes the latest number of the ‘'Musical Times,” and as usual it is replete with the latest happenings in the musical world, besides being well supplied with informative articles on all subjects of a musical nature. Bandsman J. Contessa, who has resigned from Jupp’s Band, was presented at the last practice by the members with a pretty gold memento in recognition of his long service with the band. Acknowledgment is hero made of the receipt of tho latest two numbers of “Musical Progress” (Haw-kee and . Son), from the Dresden Co. They are well up to the mark of previous issues, and contain a wealth of reading matter, dear to the heart of every bandsman. On tho subject of contest judges a writer iu a Homo journal says: Xt is not too much to say that cheap jack judges are killing contesting. The butcher, and baker, and. candlestick mater, and particularly tho cheap professor of the pianoforte style of judge, who can talk by the yard, havo it all their own way. I invito all such judges to fill in this seasou at the foot of their notes a list of the great things they havo done on the contest field. Let them foot their notes with their credentials. Not E-A.M. nor A.S.S. Letters of that kind mean nothing to contostore. Mr Gladney, Mr Owen, Mr Rimmer, Mr Halliwell, Mr Holden, and all the great men of the contest field are neither It.A-iI.S- nor A.&.5.8.5. But they are the kind of men we want as adjudicators, and wo shall not get them until wo do a bit of kicking, of that I am positive. IMncy a judge with a reputation to keep up having to judge a largo gathering of bands whore probably seven or eight arc almost on a deadlevel. All reasonable bandsmen will agree that tho position is a difficult one for any judge (.says a Home band writer)- Judges are human; their desire is to do that, which is right, hut it must be evident to every light-minded person that the lino of demarcation is extremely difficult to draw sometimes. Personally, I am always sorry for tho hand which ,is branded with tho “Nest in order of merit.” So near and yet so far off. There may ho tho least posable difference between it and the last prize-win-ner, hut what a different thing it is. not only to the band itself, but also to the outside public. A correspondent, in a letter be Wright and Hound's . “Brass Band News," voices a complaint:—“Side drumming is becoming a lost art. Because there have been fools of drummers iu the past. it is no reason whydrums should bo driven out of bands. But as a rule a band thinks that any fool will do for a drummer, and, as it is a thanklesstask, few except fools tackle tho job. No wonder good drumming is seldom met with, and no wonder that good drummers are scarce. If tho rule “drums ad lib.” was added to contest rules bad drumming and good would soon be recognised. Take a selection like. “La Traviata.” Surely anyone with ears for effect must recognise how much tho bass and side drums help in tho two movements in J rhythm. , Of course if y-ou bang the bass drum in a brutal manner it. speaks back like a brute. But a good, drummer coaxes the tone out of his drum, and he can also tune his drum to a movement if he has a good oar. I havo seen it done many a time in waltzes, so that tho note of the drum was in harmony-” (Balance of Band Notes on Page 18.)