The Bandsman

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7967, 25 November 1911, Page 19

The Bandsman

(Bt “Magenta.")

jisborne Contest. Tho promoters of the Gisborne contest have not met with much encouragement in tho .way of entries from North Island bands. They did not anticipate many entries from the South Island, in view of tho coming contest in Christchurch, but are disappointed at the poor support where better was expected. The date tor receiving entries has been extended in order to give dilatory bands another chance, and the committee has. decided to carry tho contest through at all costs. This is a very proper spirit, and it is to be hoped that entries will yet come in to gladden the hearts of tho secretary and his committee. Owing to the difficulty about getting away to tho Gisborne contest, a movement was afoot in Now Plymouth some months age to promote a contest in that town. .Air W. H. Southam wrote to Mr Holbcn. secretary of the North Island Brass Bands Association, asking for permission to hold a brass band contest in. January next in the recreation sports ground. Now Plymouth. Tho following reply was received; With reference to your application for a permit to hold a contest in Now Plymouth under tho auspices of tho North Island Brass Bands Association. After due consideration by tho executive they have decided that it is impossible for them to grant any fur-' tlier applications, seeing that they have already granted the request from the Gisborne contest people to bold the annual competitions there, and while it may be stated that your contest would not interfere with them, you can quite understand that if my executive were to grant such a permission it is natural that tho Gisborne people would feel sore about the matter. Furthermore our North Island Brass Bands Association's contests now make duo .provision for both first and second class bauds. This was painted out very strongly by some of. the members of tho executive, and it is quite natural that some of the bands who attended your contest could not possibly attend the Gisborne contest as well, ram extremely sorry that tho executive cannot see their way to grant your request, but I have no doubt yon will quite understand the.-circumstances if-..von reflect on the matter. - The association’s secretary took, the proper stand, but it is to be hoped that the next band contest will be held in a town a little more accessible than Gisborne. Mr Tom Morgan. "Tom Tom,” in Christchurch "Evening News,” gives tho following information about Mr Tom Morgan, the English ba<id judge, who has been appointed to adjudicate at tho contest in Christchurch in January next: Mr Morgan is but thirty-five years of age, a native of Llanelly (South AVales), and at the early age of fourteen became principal solo cornet of tho Town Band. Ho played at Belle Vue and minor contests, and at the age of sixteen won the gold medal at the National Eisteddfod of,. Wales. Under Messrs D ( wen and Gladney he made wonderful Xprogrossi and -his name as solo .cornet in the famous Coldstream. Guards is common history. His reputation was unsurpassable in the Guards, and his resignation from the Coldstreams in 1903 gave the young Welshman a much wider sphere. Orchestral and band training Was his objective. At' the Queen’s Hall and in high-class London orchestras Air Tom Morgan always scored,, and : his already brilliant • .record. 1 This, experience was’ very valuable^ 1 although he had, when only in his 'teens, ■been a member ’of Madame Patti's private orchestra at Craig y Nos Castle, .where the famous diva entertained her guests with grand opera. Air Morgan's abilities, as a teacher of bands brought him much distinction, and his time was fully . occupied. The young Welshman soon became a star of the ;first magni- : tiule. The editor of tlm “Brass Band •News" regretted his defection from- the ranks of British soloists, and voted him as the "greatest cornet player living.” Last October (1910) his hands made a bold bid for the JIIOOO Challenge Cup. and. Air Alorgan’s sterling worth with London bands has earned for him a lasting and most creditable reputation. Only a few .years ago , the bare idea of a London band presuming to challenge a Northern hand would have excited deri;.)sion, but; Air Morgan’s work’ changed that, and. his efforts with other London bands gained for him a matchless record. Yorkshire and Lancastrian bands have had the benefit of his talents, and when he piloted Batley Old (Yorkshire) at Belle .Vue, the results were a rare demand for Air Alorgan's work as a judge. Air Alorgan is the youngest, yet one of the most brilliant, judges in England, Is a Licentiate of- the’ Royal Academy , *bt Alusic, and his general 'credentials ; such that no English judge of band contests caii surpass. OLLA PODRIDA . The Inangahua Brass Band, under Conductor R. A. Sutherland, gave a successful concert in the ’Princess Theatre, Reofton, on November 15th. .The programme, which was a varied one, included items by the band as follow: Marches, "Lights Out" (McCoy) and "St. Elmo" (Keller); tenor solo, "‘Weep on,” Mr Coates; soprano solo, "Nordischo," Air W. Stevenson; baritone solo. Air James Williams; trombone trio, “We Three,” Messrs Sara, J. AA'hite, and Julyan; selections, ‘Robert Devereaux” and “Lily of Ki Harney." At tho opening of the new bowling green at AVanganui on Saturday last, the proceedings were enlivened by music contributed by the Wanganui Pipe Band under Pipe-Major Muirhead. A drum and fife band is being started in connection with tho Dargaville Boy. Scouts. Enough money has been collected to buy fifes, and the Hargaville Brass Band is lending the drums for the present. Practice will ho commenced very shortly. The Palmerston North Salvation Army Band gave a performance in the Square rotunda on Monday evening last, and the programme met with much appreciation. Word has been received in AYellington that Lieut. T. Herd has been appointed judge of the Gisborne contest. . The introduction of brass hands into politics is a move that should give general satisfaction. Music should possess enough charms to soothe the savage elector. The Alasterton South Brass Band gave a concert last Sunday afternoon in aid of the hospital funds, and on Alonday evening played at Lansdowne in aid of the band's instrument fund. AVhangarei Municipal Brass Band hold a moonlight excursion in the harbour last week and realised a fair sum. There’s nothing like enthusiasm and a generous public to help a struggling band along! ■

Ashburton Municipal Band gave its first opensair concert of the season on the 15th. lust.. and the public attended in large numbers.