THE KILTIES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10042, 9 January 1909, Page 4

THE KILTIES.

Everywhere the Kilties Band goes enthusiasm runs riot during the whole time, and towards evenings "the spirit catches on high the souls of men," and as the "Kilties" paraded by the massed bands of the city march, to the theatre, enthusiasm literally reaches elation. Thousands of people line the streets, and in vicinity of the theatre the crowds aTe so great that extreme difficulty is experienced in reaching the doors. . Mnch comment and questioning is rife whether or not the "Kilties" have fulfilled all expectations. Previous to the " Kilties' " visit "The Besses o' the Barn" held the laurels as the greatest musical body that had visited us; but the Kilties came and conquered. As a harmony-pro4ucing organisation, "The Besses o' the Barn" do not bear comparison with the- famous "Kilties." J.'he performance of the former was marked by excellence certainly, but the music rendered was "brass—bold," brazen "brass"—in every note, every chord, every ttme._ Instead of this, the "Kilties" Band, with its combination of brass and reed instruments, produces harmony, soul-stirring, soul-filling, and soulsatisfying; for beneath the brazen brass, the soft sweet notes and chords of the reed instruments wail out all the plaintive tender tones of soft pathetic human, nature. This combination of brass and reed instruments produces an effect 6uch as conveves that which is absolutely complete, perfectly soul-satiating, and grandly eloquent of all that is harmonic, high and iholy in the realms of music. The "Kilties" have a way of growing on their audiences; the last performance Teaches a climax of enthusiasm and appreciation. To say they 6imply lift the audience and carry them away on an unfaltering faithful tour of the world of harmony •xpresses lightly the pure-toned buoyant rhvthm and harmony produced. The "Kilties" will make their re-appear-ancc in Oamaru. on January 12th, when they will give an. afternoon and- an evening performance, the former on the Show Ground and the latter in the Opera House. The box plan and day sales tickets are at Meldrum's.