NOTES FOR BANDSMEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8609, 20 December 1913, Page 10

NOTES FOR BANDSMEN

(By ‘‘Magenta.")

Before the next budget of notes opneara Christmas will have come and gone, so ‘'Magenta'' takes the opportunity of wishing all his readers th« compliments of the season. Thanks ar« also extended to the many correspondents for their assistance rendered during the year now drawing to a. close, with the hope that the same cordial relations will exist in the future as fit Che past. The orchestra of- Wellington Working Men's Club has been strengthened by the addition of two 'well-known bras* Instrumentalists—Messrs ft. W- Jouee (cornet) and Bedell (trombone). Tim former was at one time a member of the old Wellington Garrison Band ami conductor ot x-etone .M unuup.u Baud, and the latter saw good service with the late Wellington Battalion band when Mr F, L. Dean was conductor. X’ne two new members made their first appearance in tiio orchestra at a practice last week (Mr John McGlashan con. ducting) and acquitted themselves very creditably‘'Brindisi" writes; —The Central Mia tdon Baud, following its usual custom, piayad at the hospital last Sunday lor the children's ward, to provide hnritU mas cheer for the children) the pubiia showed their approval’ by subscribing the sum of hid ISs fid. T'ho band was in-, good form and played a fine programm* of mimic, which was greatly enjoyed bj the public and the inmates. On Sun, dav ai«-ht a great crowd listened to the band in Qbuzneo street, and it is quit* evident that the players' efforts are appreciated by tiie number who follow down Cuba street on a Sunday night* it is an inspiring eight in Cubx streat at 6.10 p.m. to see the ppomssiou. It is surprising how the memb.Tship of the band keeps up, whilst other bands nr* complaining about lack of membership, The Mission Band has. nothing to complain of- in that respect; -at present its membership is 38, and its ranks are i«, bo further strengthened by new arrivals The band extends the compliments of the season to “Magenta” and all friend* and supporters. At the annual band contest at Bells Vu® (Manchester) the test selection this year was ‘‘A Souvenir of Gounod." arranged by Lieutenant Charles Godfrey, The judges were Lieutenant Godfrey, Mr Oarl Kiefert, and Mr J. O. Shepherd, For tho first time in the history of thacompetition the leading prize was JiUKf in cash; hitherto it has Wen .£SO. After a splendid exhibition of playing the judges’ award resulted: —Foden’s Motor Waggon Works 1, Shaw 2. Irwell Spring*, 3. Wingate's Temperance 4, Crosfield'* Soap Works S, St. Hilda's Colliery 6. Mr W. Halliwell conducted nilfo of ths bands, five of whom gained prizes, and Mr J- A. Greenwood conducted Wingate'* Temperance, which secured fourth place. The first, second, fourth, fifth and sixth prize-winners played with complete eets of Besson's enharmonic instruments, of which Messrs Chas- Begg and Co. ar» the New Zealand agents. Art has received a bitter blow, ifit Kurland* says the "Musical Courier. Asked k- Aubrey Herbert, in the House of Commons, whether it is intended, that naval bandsmen who join as musicians shall, in addition to their dutie* as , 'musicians, and, of course, then du(ies of keeping their own messet; clean, bo detailed for such work as coaling, scrubbing and keeping betweendocks clean. Dr Macnamara, in a printed reply, stated that “tfll men entered for service in ships; bands are enlisted as marines and trained as such in addition to their musical training. When embarked they are liable to perform anv duties suitable for marines, which th© commaudinc officer of tho ship may think fit to assign to'them. The Paris Municipal Band ("La Her. cheria de Paris”) recently .paid a visi, to London, and were received by tW Lord Mayor and Mayoress at the Man, sion House an<i critcrt&incd to tea. Xnfl* Mayor of Westminster wae also present, The Lord Mayor wore his official robes, and the decoration of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour. The band u composed of ex-bandsmen of the trench army in Algeria, who wear the Zouave dress. Disicipline is a fine thing. Many bandsmen are great sticklers for it s* much so amt they think, it is their duty to keep everyone else m oracr llic-j do not see that their very zeal for ths observance.of good order taiises them ifl act disorderly. If «■ bandsman trailsgross a rule of the band, or commit ;t breach of the unwritten law ot good taste and gentlemanly conduct, it is not for each and any of his fellow-bandsmen to call him to account Bv doing so (re. marks Messrs Wright and hounds band journal) they are themseives guiLy of a breach of discipline. livery bandsman should leave it to the duly appointed band officials-,.t0 rebuke offenders. They alone can do so with benefit to the banclj and they should not bv any flacknes* in doing their duty let such matters fall into the hands of tho bandsmen, it such becomes tho cage, tho last stabs will he worse than the first, and disputes and recriminations will quickly, upset, the good feeling which should exist be-, tween fellow-bandsmen.