EXHIBITION BAND CONTEST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16003, 20 February 1914, Page 3

EXHIBITION BAND CONTEST.

RETURN OF THE DUNEDIN BANDS.

SUCCESSFUL, BUT NOT CHAMPIONS. In an essentially music-loving community such as this is tho appeal made to tho popu lar taste by baud music is very large, and a groat deal of interest is taken in that particular form of instrumentation. For these two reasons the fortunes of the two Duncdin bands that attended the recent Exhibition contest at Auckland —the St. Kilda Municipal and tho Kaikorai —were followed very closely and their succes es—for both bands scored very heavily—gave pleasure to a great many-, of thoir friends and supporters in this city. With a view to ascertaining how the bands had viewed their trip, and in order to get some first-hand impressions of' the contest generally, a Daily Times reporter was granted two interviews by returned bandsmen yesterday. "Of course," remarked tho reporter to Mr E. Smith, conductor of tho St. Kilda Band, " tho general publio -will have seen by the papers that you have gained a very fair amount of success. However, it would bo interesting to know if you arc satisfied with the result of your trip." Mr Smith's reply was prompt and decisive. "Wo are quite satisfied with the trip; and with the judging in every way, and," he added, " all our men have come back in excellent health and spirits." Continuing, Mr Smith stated that the band was very pleased at having won the test selection on the second night. Thero were two test pieces, he explained, and by some mistake apparently one selection was a great deal simpler than the other, though both carried tlho same number of points and prize-money. Tho easier piece was won by the Timanx Band, which seemed to have devoted more attention to it than the others, but the more difficult test, which excited keener competition among the big bands of tho dominion, -was carried off by St. Kilda. The judge, concluded Mr Smith, commented very favourably upon our playing, and bestowed 'high praise upon the manner in which the accompaniments were rendered.

In the Quickstep contest points were awarded, as usual, for marching, drill, and music, and though St. Kilda gained third place for music it wont down somewhat on its drill. In reference to the disturbance fchat had taken place' at the conclusion of this event Mr Smith stated that the St. Kilda Band took no part whatever in the demonstration, and was in fact well away from tho seat of the trouble. i>lt was caused, he believed, by two wellknown bands, both of which wore dissatisfied with the result, playing some light and popular melody while the judge was conducting the massed bands through a march. The following comparative table shows tho respective points gained by the two Dunedin bands in the various events :— St. Kilda. Kaikorai. First test 142 144 Second test 149 148 Quickstep (music) ... 97 95 Quickstep (drill) ... 151 161 i Total 539 54& i A well-icnown member of the Kaikorai Band, when spoken to, ajso expressed gratification at the result of the contest, and stated that the and was sat.slicd with the judging in general, but tho marking in the Quickstep appeared to be a little inconsistent. In the first test piece tho band's playing was altogether too loud, but it rearranged its formation on the second evening, and the result was a marked improvement. In the Quickstep, the band had acquitted itself very well, and in this connection tho speaker also absolved the Kaikorai players' from any part in the unseemly demonstration against tho judge. Individual players -were very successful, two wins in solos being secured, while members of the band were also second in two solos and second in a trombone trio."

Each of the bands played on a number of the stations on the way down, and was well received, while on reaching home it was met by large crowds of its friends. THE QUICKSTEP DISTURBANCE. * TWO OFFENDING BANDS IDENTIFIED. MATTER DISCUSSED. (Pin Unhid Pnisa Association.) AUCKLAND, February 19. Two bands have been identified in an official report with the disturbance which was made at tho conclusion of the A Grado Quickstep competition in the Domain on Saturday afternoon. Tho* Wanganui Garrison band is named as one of the offenders, the other being the Wellington City Band. The matter was discussed at a meeting today of the contest committee, with the result that instructions were given to the secretary (Mr J. R. Williamson) to communicate the lacts of the incident to the North Island Brass Bands' Association.

In a letter which ho addressed to the secretary of the association, Mr Williamson describes the manner in which the bands had been arranged for a performar.ee of the march "Imporator," under the baton of the adjudicator (Captain W. G. Bentloy). When the signal to commence the performance had been given, "the two bands on the left of the conductor, instead of playing tho march music, saw fit to make noises with their instruments, and to play music other than the set piece. Captain Bentley's appeal to these bandsmen to desist was without avail, with the result that the performance had to be stopped. Upon Captain Bentley resuming his position, the members of these two bands went .through the performance which is known as 'counting out' tho judge. When order was eventually restored the march was gone on with, and, with the exception of perhaps three or four members of the two bands, tho lattej- took no part in the performance. The offending bands were the Wanganui Garrison and the Wei lington City Bands. 'This degrading and contemptible exhibition is greatly resented by the contest committee, and also by the largo audience which were present on the stand and adjacent to the spot. It is only fair to state that tho drum-major of the Wanganui Garrison did offer an apolotry to one of tho contestant committee. Mv committee believes that, personally, ho had nothing whatever to do with the* rlissrr.iooful proceedings. However, you will'quite understand that an apology of this nature is quite and my" committee trusts that the conduct of the bands in questionwill be thoroughly gone into, and punishment commensurate with the offence meted out to tho offenders."