NOTES FOR BANDSMEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8681, 14 March 1914, Page 10

NOTES FOR BANDSMEN

i (By “Magenta.”)

By the death of Mr W. H. G. Foster, the 'Wanganui Garrison Band has lost a staunch supporter an<J a good friend. Mr Foster had-been a resident of > Wanganui for over forty years, and took a keen interest in musical matters. He was an onthuiastie admirer of the Garrison Bind, and championed its cause with fervour on iall occasions. The funeral took place ■last Sunday, and was largely attended. ' _ • Inquiries have been made by numbers of prominent bandsmen why tho judge’s notes on the playing of tho bands at the Auckland Exhibition conitest have not been published. It is contended that it is a general rule for such a course to be taken, and that it would bo very valuable to all the bands which engaged in the, contest. Whether it is the general rule to publish tho notes is an open question, hut there is no possible doubt as to the benefits to bo derived from such a procedure. In the present case, however," each band has been handed the original notes by the judge on its playing, and these notes are p'ead out to the band at its practice. But the educative value _of this step is practically nil; it is by comparisons that a band learns its true worth. The South street "Society (Ballarat) has decided to increase the prizemoney in tho A grade by £IOO, the prizes for ‘which will now her First, £225;, second, £100; third, £25. Messrs Bobsey and Co. have cabled to the, society, congratulating the committee on tho great success of tho last contest, and - intimating that they would again donate a shield to the value of 75. guineas, to be given to the A grade band obtaining in three years the , highest number of points in both ■ “test” and “own choice” selections. The Rozelle Band won tho shield outright at the competition hold last October. The South Street Society has also announced its willingness to give £3O as prize-money for a boys’ band contest next October.

Homeward bound! After a sojourn in New Zealand of three and a half months the “Royal Artillery Band took its departure last week'in the Ruapehui for the Old Land. On November 22nd, | 1913, the band landed at Port Ohal-| ;mers, and on its way up. to the Auckland Exhibition gave a series of con-1 certs at Dunedin, Christchurch, Wei-, lington, and Tima.ru. During its stay) in Auckland the band gave concerts 1 twice daily at the Exhibition, and. when, its engagement was drawing to al conclusion another tour through the Dominion was arranged. This was followed by a few days' rest and change at Rotorua. The members had few opportunities of hearing; hands in New Zealand, as they were on tour during the band contest at the Auckland Exhibition; but in conversation their penchant for the military stylo of hand was easily noticeable. They expressed the opinion that wood-wind instruments are required in the bands of this country, and that constant ■ practice was essential. On its way out to New Zealand the band practised on an average 1 .four hours a day, and doubtless this! 'policy will be continued on the voyage! Home, for the finest band in the British! Army must not be allowed to get| i“ stale.’’ Captain Preeston, officer in, command, was much impressed with the 1 similarity of the South, Island to parts of the Old Country, and when he came to the North Island he was charmed with its primeval forests and amazed 'at its thermal wonders. He stated that he tad the best trout-fishing in his life at Taupe. : congratulations to Potone Municipal Band, which has been enabled to clear the debt off its ; instruments A sum of over £IOO wad owing, but the bandsmen set to work with a will, and with the assistance of, some enthusiastic citzens organised a carnival, which was very successful. One hindrance to a hand’s progress—a debt oh its instruments—is thus .removed,, and,, the future looks brighter. ; Mr R. Crawley, who recently resigned from the oonductorship of the Carterton Brass Band, was presented last week by -the members with a travelling rug in recognition of the valuable service’s rendered by him to the hand, and, of the esteem in which he is held by jthe members. Mr C. Woodley has Ibeen appointed conductor, and Mr W 'H Spooner,. bandmaster. The band has been making steady progress and does not lack for, .engagements nv the various festivities occurring in the The opening of the Wellington citizens’ carnival last week was’celebrated by a procession of decorated motorcars. There was a band waggon also in evidence, and some bandsmen in it, but precious littlo music. The whole of Willis street to the “Duke” corner and part of ’Manners street was traversed without. a single’ tune ’ being played, and gave the procession ’ a somewhat melancholy air,. No doubt •the bands made up for this afterwards, but a little, music at the psychological moment works wonders. That moment was when the procession was, traversing the busiest part of the town —when there was a chance o f drawing the people to the park in thousands. At the Wellington Working Men’s Club picnic at Day’s Bay last Saturday the music was provided by a band under the leadership of Mr L. McDonald, Most of the players were either members or, ex-members of the Wellington City (late Garrison) Band, so there were no misgivings, as to the quality of the music. It was a small band, as bands go —about a dozen all

told —but the balance of tone was perfect, and the playing was first-class. Another well-known bandsman and musician passed away last week in the person of Mr George E. Collins, whoso sudden death came as a great shock to a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. • He was one of the most prominent figures in musical circles in Lyttelton for nearly thirty years, and besides being invaluable in the orcehstrnl and band world ho was a good vocalist and thoroughly proficient in conducting choirs. In 1883 ho played E fiat soprano cornet for the Old Stan more Band, and was tho founder of the Lyttelton Murine Band. He conducted this body for a number 'of years, when owing to health and business reasons bo was reluctantly compelled to relinquish the baton, which was taken up by Mr W. S., King later on. who still wields it capably. Mr S. Walling, formerly a w’ellkuown trombonist of more than usual ability in New Zealand, has left tlja Rozelle (Sydney) Band, with which ho has been associated for some time, and lias become professional solo trombonist for De Green's Vico-Regal Orchestra. Mr E. P. Kerry, late of the Besses-o’-th’-Barn Band, and conductor of tho Newtown (Sydney) Baud, has been appointed conductor of th® Lidcombe Town Band.