The Bandsman

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7871, 5 August 1911, Page 18

The Bandsman

(By '''Magenta.”) Answers To Correspondents. “Bon Ami." —A line or two of the band's affairs would be more useful. "3.”—The article was not intended to hit. at any particular band, therefore was not inspired. Any information you ■ choose to send will, of course, be treated strictly as confidential. “Tarantara.” —The Gisborne contest will bo dealt with in good time. Veteran Bandsman Retires. Mr Tom Gray, so well and favourably known throughout the Dominion as a high-class instrumentalist, bandsman, and musician, has resigned from the Wanganui Garrison Band. Many bandsmen scattered throughout the Dominion will remember the pleasant moments Tom | has given them with humorous rocitaI tious while they have waited with bated breath for the judge to appear with his notes. Tom bos also entertained per eupho., baritone; trombone, E flat bass at solo competitions as the following splendid record shows; At the N.1.8.8.A. contest, 1899, ho won first prize in the cuf)ho. championship, also first prize in the E flat bass and third prize in the trombone solos. At the 1901 contest he put up a marvellous performance by winning first prize in trombone solo, first eupho., first B flat bass, and second prize in baritone solo. After this contest bandsmen will remember the N.1.8.8.A. made a rule that prohibited a bandsman from competing in more than solo, consequently Tom was unable to beat his 1901 record, but had this rule not been brought iu it was Tom’s intention to compete the nest year for tho cornet and horn solos as well. As a eupho. player he no doubt was at the top of his form at the Auckland contest in 1905, where the judge (Mr W. S. King) declared it to be a magnificent performance, the best he had heard in his life, and said he had no hesitation in awarding him the possible points for so grand an interpretation of such a difficult solo. Messrs Boosey and Co., of London, also presented him with a firstclass eupho. as a special prize for this event.

Tom has also been successful in quartette and trio parties at Wellington, Masterton, New Plymouth, Hawera, Christchurch, Hastings and Wanganui. He has also visited Australia with Now Zealand bands. In 1899 he was with Wellington Garrison at the Bathurst contest, N.S.W., and again last year at Ballarat (Vic.) with the Wanganui Garrison. As a hand- soloist Tom could always ho relied on to do his part well. Tom Gray on the eupho. was indeed a treat, his warm sympathetic tone and excellent expression helping his band considerably. However, of late years teeth troubles, which sooner or later assail every bandsman, have handicapped him considerably, and have no doubt been a leading factor in inducing' bim to retire from active service. It is hoped that ho will not be a total abstainer from the brass altogether, and as there are many professional engagements offering to bandsmen in orchestra, etc., it is quite likely he may be found located in one of these. ❖❖❖ OLLA PODRIDA “Crispins” formed the test piece for the Darwen (Eng.) contest held recently, Mr J. W. Bestwick, of Manchester, adjudicating. The results were: Perfection Soap Works 1, Earby 2, Burnley Temperance 3, Darwen Borough i. Tho winners also carried off the quickstep honours, besides winning tho specials for tho cornet, eupho., soprano, and trombone. Foden’s Motor Waggon Works Band (winners of last year’s Crystal Palace championship) are appearing at tho Glar>gow Exhibition. Tho "star” musical event was being provided, when this message was sent, by a well-known American organisation—the Ellery Band — which took the place formerly occupied by Sousa’s baud at tho last Exhibition.

At a social last week of the Sumner (Christchurch) hand, tho conductor (Mr Fenton) was presented with a silvermounted baton as a token of esteem and respect for his excellent work in connection with the band.

Wanganui City Band, under Conductor Geo. Buckley, is making progress, and its concerts are greatly appreciated by th 6 public. The band has the Gisborne contest "in its eye.” ' Tho Tiamways Band' met last Monday for the purpose of electing a secretary, vice Mr Tremain, who has retired from the tramway service. The president (Mr Charles Patchett) occupied the chair, and in the course of his remai'ks briefly mentioned the forthcoming contest to bo held at Gisborne in February next, exnressing the hope that ; tho band would bo represented. Mr D. Whitford was 1 elected secretary. The membership comprises 28 active members, and a strong feeling exists among the men to “have a go" at the A grade competition this year. This, of course, means practically going into training at once, and the citizens will bo able to assist in one or two schemes, to be made public shortly, for the purpose of raising the necessary funds to see tho band through. 1 The Wanganui Lyceum Theatre orchestra consists of the.following players: Messrs Edgar Collins (piano), J. L. Beck (violin), T. Wilkinson (clarionet), H„ Crysell (cornet), and If. Simmonds (bass viol). The Opera House orchestra is as follows; Mrs O’Hara (piano), Messrs B. O’Hara (violin), H. Northey (cornet), and E. Gilby (bass viol). John Philip Sousa and his famous band have every reason to fell gratified at their reception in New Zealand. Their arrival in Invercargill caused a great stir in the southern city and a civic welcome followed. In tho evening their concert was a great success. Leaving for Dunedin the next morning they had a repetition of their Invercargill experience, and tho Garrison Hall was packed at their evening concert. The band has toured the world several times, but this is its first visit to southern climes, and we trust Mr Sousa and his band will have good reason to remember their trip to tho Antipodes. There is a deal of curiosity as to Sousa's method of conducting, and it will not be long ere Wellington musicians will have an opportunity of judging for themselves. Mr George L. Peters, conductor ol Ellesmere Brass Band, died last ' week at Leeston (Canterbury). He was wellknown to the writer as a genial and capable citizen, whose loss is to be sincerely regretted.,

The writer has to' acknowledge receipt of a complimentary ticket for the first concert of St. Anne's Cadets’ drum and fife hand, held on Wednesday night, hut a prior engagement prevented him using it.