BAND CONTEST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20964, 1 March 1930, Page 9

BAND CONTEST.

SOLOS, TRIOS, QUARTETS. B FLAT CORNET CHAMPIONSHIP. WON BY W. STEVENSON. The New Zealand championship band contest was continued yesterday. In the morning the sight tests for side drums and bass drums were decided, and the recalls in the trombone trio were announced. The afternoon was occupied with the tenor trombone solo. In the evening there was another large attendance. The programme was made up of the finals in the B flat cornet championship, the B flat cornet solo, the quartet, and the trombone trio. Selections were also given by the Oamaru Municipal and Woolston Bands and Dr Price, cn.y organist, played “ Evening Meditation ” (Johnston) and “Rigaudon” (Raff). RESULTS. The following are the results:— SIDE DRUMS SIGHT TEST. Jndge: Mr A. Scbnack. First prize, gold medal; .second prize, silver medal. W. H. Carmichael (Palmerston North Garrison), 17i points 1 J. Lees (St. Kilda), 16i points .... 2 Also competed; W. Brown (Wellington Municipal) 15, D. H. Baldock (Kaikorai) 14,_H. Biggs (Woolston) 13, S. Chittock (Timaru Municipal) 13, P. Watson (Queen Alexandra’s Own, Wanganui) 11, W. Derbie (Invercargill Civic). 10. SIGHT TEST BASS DRUM SOLO. Judge:,Mr A. Schnack. First prize, gold medal; second prize, silver medal. W. Wallace (St. Kilda), 17 points .. 1 A. Gallop (Wanganui), 16J points .. 2 Also competed: ,E„ .Thurlow (Queen Alexandra’s Own, Wanganui) 16, g” Lee (Timaru Municipal) ’ 15, T, Stevenson (Kaikorai) 15, H. ■ Sayer (Carterton Municipal Silver) 15, .E, Riggs (Port Nicholson Silver)’ 7. TENOR TROMBONE SOLO—“Phantasy” (Cyril Jenkins). Judge: Mr A. Schnack. First prize, gold medal; second prize, silver medal. E. Williams (Woolston), 97 points .. 1 J. Marshall (St. Kilda), 96 points 2 Also competed: G. Buckley (Timaru Municipal) • 89, A. Willis (Invercargill Civic) 89, W, O’Hara (Palmerston North Garrison) 88, L. Carruthers (Palmerston North Garrison) 88, R. I. Frew (Woolston) 88, D. M. Kirk (Christchurch Municipal) 87, D, G. Stribling (Christchurch Municipal) 87, G. Handley (Queen Alexandra’s Own, Wanganui) 86, E. Davies .(Queen Alexandra’s Own) 81,. T. Stalker (St.-Kilda) 81, R. Hall (St. Kilda) SI, H. Guy (Invercargill Civic) 81, W. Campbell (Timaru Municipal) 80, W. Matson (Port Nicholson Silver) 80.The jiidge commented as follows on the place winners:— ' E. Williams.- * Splendid opening, splendid tone, lovely colourings, intonation splendid; playing like an artist, great restraint; finish lovely; moderate beautiful; bar ,10 and on. beautiful, suoh variety. \°H are urost artistic, and are painting a picture; tone colouring lovely; double torte and onwards most artistic; bar 22 and on great playing.” , *l’ shall. “ Splendid opening and style; slight slip at bar 6; beautiful tone and variety of style; all marks attended to, really fine playing, beautiful tunemoderate, much better than previous players; beautiful Tone and expression; beautiful at bar 11; playing lovely and so well in tune; really a treat; a really good finish, well in tune and great character.”

CHAMPIONSHIP B PLAT CORNET s °LO—“Alpine Echoes” For the Bud Wills memorial challenge shield. Judge: Mr Christopher Smith, hirst prize, gold medal; second prize, silver medal. W. Stevenson (Wellington Municipal), - 93 points j G. Christie (St. Hilda), 88 points !! 2 W. Bowmen (Wellington Municipal), 84 points g E. Kerr, x jun. (Kaikorai), 82 points !! 4 Also competed: C. Bergerson (Queen Alexandra’s Own) 84, H. Osborne (Ashburton Silver) 83. W. H. ' Osborne. Uimaru Municipal) 82, S. Teale (Ashburton Municipal) 81, J. Wills (Invercargill Civic) 80, V. Aldridge (St.Hilda) 79, M. H. P. Vincent ((Waimate Silver) 78, A. Taylor (Timaru Municipal) 77, R. Wills (Invercargill Civic) 73, W. J. Kay (Port Nicholson Silver) 72, R. A. L.Taylor (Hastings Citizens’) 71, A. j' Perryman (Palmerston North Garrison) - N '- D ’ Arth (Queen Alexandra’s Own)

The judge’s comments on the playing of the four recalls are as. follow: J. Christie.—lntroductive excellent; theme moderate, excellent; from bar 25 very good; slight blur on top C; variation, raoderato, good and clear; from 25 again very good, slight blur on top C; lento minore excellent; 16, 17, excellent; cadenza excellent; lento majore excellent; allegretto very good; from 25 excellent; piu mosso very good; tonal quality good* style good.

E. Kerr, jun.—lntroductive, good; fair style, slip; theme moderate, good; from 25 very good, little blur noted: variation moderate, very good and clear; from 25 again very good; lento minore very good; 10, 17, not too good; cadenza fairly good - lento majore, very nicely done, a wave out of tune; allegretto very good; from 25 good; piu mosso fair, missed C; tonal quality fairly good; style fairly good. * Ste\ enson. Introduction excellent, and of good quality; theme moderate good, but a few faults noted; from 25 excellent; variation moderate, excellent' from 25 very excellent; lento minore artistic; 16, 17, very good; cadenza very excellent; lento majore, again artistic; allegretto, excellent; from 25 very brilliant; tonal quality excellent; style of the best.

B. Bowmen.—lntroduction very goodtheme moderate, excellent, but slips noted irom 20, miss on top C; variation moderate, excellent; from 25 fair only, slips; lento minore very good; 16, 17, very goodcadenza good, not quite clear; lento ■najore, good, gets a little untuneful; allegretto, very good, from 25 fairly goodpresto good; tonal quality good; style fairly good. * B FLAT CORNET SOLO-“ Lucclle.” Judge: Mr A. Schnack. First prize, gold medal; second prize, silver medal. E - L ; (Hastings Citizens’) 91 points j W Stevenson (Wellington Municipal')', 89 points 2 - H - ? sl,ornß (Timaru Municipal)’ o 8 points 2 G Bergerson (Queen" Alexandra’s Own, Wanganui). 87 points .. 4 W Bowmen (Wellington Municipal) 8G points - Also competed: G. Christie (St. Hilda) 93, J. Wills (Invercargill Civic) 93 R. Wills (Invercargill Civic) 93, H, F. Vincent (Waimate Silver) 03, A. Taylor (Timaru Municipal) 92, E. Kerr, jun. (Kaikorai) 92, H. Osborne (Ashburton Silver) 92. N. Aldridge (St. Kildal 92, W r . I. Kay (Port Nicholson Silver) 02’ L. J. Bruce (Christchurch Municipal) 87’. C. H. Hutchison (Timaru Municipal) 86. F. White (Timaru Municipal) 86. B. Register (Palmerston North Garrison) 86. L. Simenson (Hastings Citizens) 80, J. Bassett (Lnvercaigill Civic) 85, A. Ben-

son (Christchurch Municipal) 85, N. D’arth (Queen Alexandra’s Own) 85, A N. Deer (Green Island Municipal) 81 W. MtKay (Dunedin City Tramways) 81, C. Flood (Port Nicholson Silver) 81, S. Teale (Ashburton Silver) 80, G. Le’wer (Christchurch Municipal) 80, M. M'Donald (Waimate Silver) 80. The judge’s comments on the performances of the prize-winners were as follow:

R- A. L. Taylor.—“ Moderate excellent, tone and style good, cadenza excellent; allegretto very good and clear; gracioso excellent and brilliant; moderate excellent; allegretto excellent; cadenza brilliant.”

Stevenson. —“Moderate fairly good, with nice tone, much improved as he proceeds; cadenza excellent; gracioso good, nice style; moderate excellent; allegretto excellent; cadenza brilliant.”

QUARTETS—“ Sunshine and Shade.” Judge: Mr Christopher Smith.

First prize, gold medal; second prize, silver medal.

Port Nicholson Silver No. 1 (T. Goodall, W. Barke, L. Ormrod, A. O. Kaye), 93 points Invercargill Civic No. 1 (J. E. Wills, R. B. Wills, W. M. Wills, and J. M‘Kay), 91 points Quoen Alexandra’s Own, Wanganui (G. Bergerson, C. Wilson, B. Green-

field, and H. Bovey), 90 points .. 3 Hastings Citizens’ No, 1, 80 points .. 4 Also competed: Oamaru Municipal 76, Wellington Municipal Tramways (IV. Stevenson, J. H. Mitchell, E. O’Brien, F. Clayton) 74, Woolston No. 1 74, Timaru Municipal (W. H. Osborne, R. Thomas, R. Williams, and E. Osborne) 71, St, Kilda Municipal No. 3 (A. Aldridge, G. Lowry, A. Chatterton, and C. Oben) 70, Dunedin City Tramways (A. Russell, W. M‘Kay, Reader, and J. Turner) 69, St. Kilda No. 1 (6. Christie, J. Logan, W. Smith, and C. Millar) 69, Woolston No. 2 69, Christchurch Municipal (J. W, Barsley, E. Watson, —. De la Mare, and Barsley) 67, Palmerston North Garrison 66, Invercargill Civic (J- Bassett, E. Lawrence, C. Lemin, and F. Beadle) 65, St. Kilda Municipal No. 2 (W, Tait, C. Smith, D. Anderson; and A. Winslade) 63.

The judge’s comments on the playing of the two placed performances read as follow:

Port. Nicholson. —Andante moderate; All clearly defined and very tuneful, bars 25 and 26 excellent. Andante moderator Excellent, neat and good. Andante pastorale: Fine conception, well carried out, brilliant and good quality. Allegro moderator Excellent, all capable and confident. Invercargill Civic.—Andante moderator A good blend and good playing by each performer; tonal colour nicely varied, 25, 26 very good; all tuneful. Andante moderator ,A well played section. Andante pastorale; Too loud, otherwise very good playing; four competent players; tuneful. Allegro moderator Capital playing, from 15 very good; a very good section. TROMBONE TRIO—“ Three Trombones." Judge; Mr C. Smith. First prize, gold medal; second prize, silver modal. Woolston (E. Williams, W. Lauhain, and W. Steere), 97 points 1 St- Kilda No. 1 (J. Marshall, T. Stalker, and R. Munro), 91 points 2 st - Kilda No. 2 (B. Raymond, R. _ Coughlin, and A. Newall), 87 points 3 Timaru Municipal (L. Collins, G. Buckley, and F. Brown), 86 points .... 4 Also competed: Christchurch Municipal I®* Kirk, D. E. Stribling, and Sutton) 84, Wellington Municipal (J. Glennie, E, Tallantire, and J. Cummings) 82, Queen Alexandra’s Own (G. Handley G Humphrey, and R. Davis) 81, Invercargill Civic (A. M. Wills, H. Guy/ and T A. Anderson) 80, Carterton Municipal (a! Banks, A. Kay, and D. Irwin) 76. The judge's comments read as follow: Woolston, Beautiful opening, from artistic by all, very sonorous; tempo di polka, excellent, fine executant on first part; trio, very rich to open, repeating strain excellent in every respect; coda, splendid, glissandos capitally done. St. Kilda No. I.—Well opened, then fairly good playing; very nice in places; tempo di polka, very well played, second time very good; trio, very good, a few blurs noted, the second time improved; coda good; glissandos very well managed. A number of the prizes won during the contest were presented at the conclusion of the performance. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMME. , llc and ® Grade quickstep contest, to be held at Carisbrook this jifcernoon. should attract a record attendance. The displays by the band and bugle baud should provide a fine spectacle. The contest will be brought to a conclusion with . e A B £ rade °' vn choice selection in the Town Hall in the evening The programme will commence at 7.30 n.m. The bands will draw for places at 7 p.m. Ihe box plan arrangements are advertised, SOCIAL GATHERING. PRESENTATION TO MR WALKER. RECOGNITION OF PAST SERVICES. After the day’s proceedings in connection with the contest bad been completed the local executive entertained the bandmasters, the judges, the Mayor and City Council, and members of the North anil South Island Bands’ Association at a social gathering, which was held in the supper room ‘in the Town Hall. Mr J. H. Walker (chairman of the local executive) presided. After extending a cordial welcome to the visiting bandmasters, Mr Walker proposed the toast of the Mayor, city councillors, and town clerk. He mentioned , that they were naturally very proud of the hall in which they had met, and be was sure that the visitors from north and south were of the samp opinion. The executive was very much indebted to the Mayor, city councillors, and town, clerk for the efforts they had made to get the hall ready in time for the contest. The City Council was recognised as a body of strong business men, who were anxious to do their best for the welfare of the city. The Mayor was an old bandsman, and was president of one of the bauds competing at the contest.

The Mayor (Mr R. S. Black), in replying, said they had been very pleased'with the standard of the brass band playing during the past week. He referred to the absolute necessity for team work amongst the bands, and to the fact that the most unimportant instrumentalist played his part in the success of the team. Mr J. Rennie proposed the toast of the bandmasters, the toast being responded to by Messrs R. Wills (Invercargill Civic) and E. Franklin (Wellington Municipal Tramways). Mr T. Ritchie proposed the toast of “The Judges and Honorary Judges.” They had had an experience during the week of the manner in which brass bands could interpret the highest class of music, and he desired to thank Messrs Smith and Schnack for their judging and tor their help and advice during the competitions. Mr C. Smith said ho thought the gathering together of the committeemen, officials. etc., was an excellent idea. It was seven years since he had judged a band contest in Dunedin, and he must say that the improvement in the playing since then was nothing short of wonderful, His task had been an exceedingly difficult one. The playing of the A grade bands in “Victory” had been quite a revelation to him —he had never expect 'd to hear anything like it. He bail not got the same excellent playing on the Thursday night, but considering the difficulty of the piece it had been exceedingly well done. The B grade had also shown a great iriiprovement, and there was no doubt about the C grade being “ out of sight ”

since he had been here seven years ago. Some of the C grade bands were equal to the B grade bands.—(Appl a use.) Mr Schnack congratulated Dane Jin on the possession of its beautiful Town Hail. He had never seen anything like it. His most pleasant experience was with the drummers. He had enjoyed renewing acquaintances with old friends He had done his best to bring the best men out. He bad spent many pleasant times as a member of the Kaikorai Band. The speaker went on to pay a tribute to the sincere manner in which Mr Smith had carried out his duties. Speaking for himself, he had done his best to do justice to all the competitors. Mr Schnaok said lie would like to see competitors trusting each other a little better than was (lie ease at present. They were the most suspicious men in the world.

Mr Rennie said that 21 years ago Mr J. H. Walker had taken charge of the contests in Dunedin, and he controlled them in Dunedin ever since, and most successfully too.—(Applause.) Mr Walker had been chairman of the executive all that time, and the members of the executive and the bandmasters had decided to make him a presentation of a silver entree dish for Mrs Walker and a silver cigarette case for himself, both suitably inscribed, to mark the occasion.— (Applause.)

_ihe health of Mr Walker was drunk with musical honours.

Mr Walker briefly replied, thankin'* the donors for their gifts. He said he would like to make a public appreciation of the very valuable assistance given to him and the executive by their supervisor, Mr J. D. Hunter.— (Applause.) Eiery member of the executive had worked hand and harmoniously to make the contest a success out of pure love of band music. They also appreciated the assistance given them by the bandmasters and the bandsmen.—(Applause.) Mr Walker proposed the toast of “ ’Hie South Island and North Island Bands’ Associations,” responded to by Mr J G Osborne and Mr. E. Palliser, and‘Mr J. D. Hunter proposed the toast of " The Council of Scottish Societies and the Pipe Bands’ Association and Pipers', and Dancers' Association,” Messrs T. Ritchie . • Cameron, and R. Mackenzie responding.

recitation was given by Mr J. B MConnell.