BAND CONTEST CONCLUDED.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20965, 3 March 1930, Page 5

BAND CONTEST CONCLUDED.

HUGE CROWD AT CARISBROOK. QUICKSTEPS TO ST. KILDA AND HASTINGS. OWN CHOICE SELECTION. WON BY QUEEN ALEXANDRA’S OWN

The military display and the quickstep competitions at Carisbrook on Saturday really proved the event of what mav br termed band week," so far as popu-. larity with the public is concerned The ground held a great crowd—probably over 17 ; 0q0,as 16,249 people actually paid for ?i™o BSlo mt the gate receipts amounting to ?• £" ere was also a thousand or two on the 'presbyterian" stand The success of such an outside demonstration rests, of course, on the weather, and on baturday it could hardly have beeD improle ', P arti cularly from about 2 o'clock to 4 o clock. It was then indeed really perfect for such a display. As a matter ot tact the visiting bandsmen can have had no fault to find with the weather during the whole week. A start was made at 2 o'clock, and the various events vrent off with the greatest despatch, the programme being .concluded shortly after 5 p clock: As the bands marched alone in the quicksteps they were loudly an-' piauded by the crowd, and it was noticefu '"P on tlae P rev ious Saturday, that those bands singled out for particular acclaim were the prize winners. It was rather remarkable that both the Hastings, and St Kilda Bands, who were selected by the public, taking public applause as a guide, as the straight out winners, were'the last to compete in their respective grades. St. Kilda was the last r.and to play in the set programme of the day, and gave a truly outstanding uertormance, both m marching and music Ihe decision in favour of the seaside band was received with tremendous cheering. Major Mead and Lieutenant Shuttleworth and sergeant-majors from the Defence Force judged the marching, and Mr •i-- if. Williamson acted as time-keeper—-so many paces in 100 yards in 60 seconds. Ine results are as follow: B GRADE MILITARY AND QUICKSTEP. Test march, "Colonel Bogey" (Alford). Judge: Mr Chris. Smith. First prize, £3O; second prize, -£20; third prize, £10; fourth prize, £5. •s's « ■ ' .3S S frS'- a- ' .2'E?- «'K _• ■.-

A GEADE MILITARY DISPLAY AND QUICKSTEP. .11•". Test march > "Torchlight." Judge: Mr C. Smith. First prize, £SO; second prize, £3O: third prize, £ls; fourth prize, £5. Military

MUSIC JUDGE'S COMMENTS. Mr Smith comments as follows on the musical part of the programme:th^ aS^ Dgß, 7 E f at - h ? r rou S h t 0 "Pen, and P £° Ceed rly wel1 ' counter-fairly then 5 ™ f en - d l fairly J good ' als ° tables, then some fairly good work, with good ?vel lS^i. trlo arly r good ' count « ™?k well done; repeat of march a littla imter^or^ weil ° ne; basa «* «* ■ Dunedm Tramways.—Fairly good to opening and proceeds with good precision Imi f - rou S h s trebles fairly good, then some fair work; trio fairly good ivith repeu O P%%S, blemishes 'notedrepeat of march tairly well done; precision good, trebles good, followed by general good work; trio (?ood. , Uamaru.—Good tone and style; counter melody.well done, bass end well done wth some nice band work to follow; trio fairly SlL P . layed '- ;,ust ? - little <«rt'of tu ne n places; precision fairly good; repeat of s r\r th SI wdf ; p £ e e b d. eS a lltt,e ° Ut in ces: - Invercargill Civic—Fair playinc to •tart; rather slow tempo, a little untune fo W?,lV nd + l ubjec -* fairf y we » Plaved, MWd by rather nice work; trio rather yell played; second time through a littk (tempo about 108) better playing- W end good, strain, following; S [£ Sy ™ n CoS little; counter melody only moderate bass end fairly good; trebles o"? with a blemish or two, then better playing fo* lows; trio only moderate in style and ifttle T™ d - PlaCeC; repeat ot mar " iL-i ? ' , any ' improvement; bass end section only moderate, also trebles- trio an improvement but kill not good' + Carterton -Only fair, style a little out &I! 0t C i° Se - ? aSs end fair only a of IL h g it d * ff? <aß, °? a , ntl tune "not £„? w x l * lo onl y fair in style and tone. Repeat of march shows no im?ow em Tr o ° R r y , mo^ ate bass end * rii--.*i 0 B t U lr ,n tune and style. Chnstchurch Municipal,—Fair tone and fairfv wW enOU & h > counterpart JS " A d ° Qe - - ? ass end fairly good, trebles good, precision better now. Trio peat of march only fair playinc Bass ££ th£ W and trebles a A GRADE QUICKSTEP. > Woolston.— Good tone and style to open ill good, horns good, a few passaged a httle rough, and a little untuneful in °" Municipal.—Again tone ii.rl style good; then good work? al S m art an bright marks well observed. Trio fafrly well played horns good. On turning back or \Z noS inß T Co . ntlOTe ?' i«st a bfemish or two noted Trio again well played good horns. Good tone and style Y ' •Kaikorai.—Good tone and style followed by some fairly good All smart and bright. Trio good but a' lirtli imtuneful horns fairly food.' on turning back good playing marks fairly well observed. Little blemishes noted and a httle untunefulness. Trio fairly "00l horns fair. Trio now gets good treatment on the whole. Palmerston North.—Fair tone and style to open, then some fairly good playin-* with nice swinging tempo. Trio fairly well, horns fairly good, but a little wild and some blemishes are noted, tone and tune remain good. A bad patch in the trumpeting passage, and playin" falls away somewhat. Trio fairly good." Trumpeting again not at all good. TrfcJ gets fairly good treatment, last time through

Queen Alexandra’s Own.—Tone and style fairly good, following by some good playing a little rough here, and precision not perfect. Trio fair only, balance not good, and on the rough side. On turning back good work, trumpeting fairly good, marks are now well observed. Trio fairly good, though uneven in quality, horns fairly good. Trio goes well last time, and some good playing follows. Port Nicholson,—-Tone and style right, then some nice bright playing, but precision might be closef, trumpeting good, ino fairly good, not 'a nice blend, trumping again good; again precision is a little out. Trios only fair playing, horns good. Gets rough. Trumpeting passage not so good. Trio good. Tiraaru.—Good tone and style and good to follow; all marks well observed; trumpeting very good; all very tuneful. Trio well played and of good quality. On turning back, all very good and compact. A little weakness noted in trombones, trumpeting agaiji good. Trio again good, horns fair. All keep in good tune, and ot good quality, ,®t. ?'* da - —Excellent tone and style, aU .1 t £ e ,“ est <3«ality. Trumpeting very good. Trio excellent playing, horns very good. Trumpeting good, with just a blemish or two, soon right, and good stylish playing follows. Trio excellent in all respects. A stylish performance. SATURDAY EVENING. V TOWN HALL PACKED. EIGHT 'BANDS COMPETE IN OWN CHOICE. The Town Hall was thronged in all parts on Saturday night by a delighted crowd, who were anxious to hear the final programme of’ music and the closing speeches. _ Eight bands competed in the Own Choice Selection (open to A and B Grade brass bands). The following was the result of the “ Own Choice ” contest in which the possible was 150— ’ OWN CHOICE SELECTION. (Open to A and B Grade brass bands.) Judge: Mr C. Smith. First prize. £4O; second prize, £2O; third prize, £lO. Queen Alexandra’s Own (Wa- P ° lntS ‘ nganui) 145 x Invercargill Civic 140 2 Port Nickolson 124 3 Woolston ; 122 4 Kaikorai 114 k St. Hilda .. ill -g Christchurch Municipal .. .. 105 7 Dunedin City Tramways .. ~ 91 , 3 The Wellington Municipal ’Tramways Band played the selection “ William Tell.” i-t was the, first band to appear, but it was not a participant in the competition. JUDGE’S COMMENTS. The following are the judge’s comments on the various selections;— Nilda.- Selection “ Lohengrin ” (Wagner): An interesting selection, traversing most of the well-known themes of the opera. Introduction to Act 111 is the opening number. A fairly good, though rather boisterous start is. made; good on the whole. “Heaven, in prayer thme aid I seek,” gets good treatment ny band and euphonium solo, with quite commendable style. “Lonely, amid my sorrow, given as a cornet solo, is quite nicely played; coppogratina in first bar not rightly treated, a fairly effective movement, though lacking in the requisite tender sentiment. “We hail Thee” gets good firm and tuneful treatment. “Hail! Jtlsa of Brabant,” .as a soprano cornet solo, is not effective; gets untuneful in n Ces «™J°? Andante somewhat untune1 1 j ’ Vr a t new-felt ecstasies ”is well played. Rest of selection gets fairly good vigorous treatment, some excellent basses m evidence. ;; Christchurch Tramways. Selection , (Wagner); Selection opens with the themes on which the prelude is built. Good tone is soon in evidence, and proceeds tunefully; tone might be brighter. Lord s Supper theme is untunelui, and not in good character. Cornet soU, -fairly well played. Letter D gets good treatment, and then falls away in tune; from E some fairly good playing here. Scene in Klingsor’s Castle, music if J 1 ® 4 well treated, gcneraly too slow. Return of, Grail theme fairly well done. Recit. The music does not carry a message taken away from its proper Jage setting. Wagner himself said that arrangers had better leave it alone. A n.ee bit of trombone playing was; some vel y untuneful work by band. Rest of selection received fair tretament; from N good; from O fairly good Wortf « Nicholson.-— Selection “ Rossni ’s / owen > : In tins fine selection band displays some excellent qualities and ~ nto t , he music. Gets a Intlß untuneful at times; beautiful in places. The soloists—cornet, trombone and euphonium—were excellent, and got thJ ery i IDS ,' vork ’ ql,ite excellent at times, and band was very smart. The letter F movement was artistic in con--500,..500,..S 00, .. 7 er y fine indeed, trombone, quite aitistic; good soprano touches were cadenza little wild. “Moses in £°° fast; cornet solo follow“Wi?l^m e Tii by botb baDd and solois tWilliam Tell music too hurried and boisterous; not at all good. Best so far Kaikorai.—Selection, “ Die Meistersmgers” (Wagner);! got some very nice r °j l . V ll3 band - The music is difficult, and takes a great deal of understanding A very creditable performance on the whole was given though there nas nothing outstanding, A bit of nice soprano work was pleasing. The “ Prize Song was rather well played. A fairlv good standard was maintained, right round the band in a performance that me considerable pleasure Invercargill Civic.-Selection “ Weber’s Works : Good tone and style were presented by this in the “Der Freischutz” music. Cornet nice and stylish, capital playing; a good soprano can be heard l ornet and euphonium cadenzas canitallv „ Uuryanthe ” music finely given Der Freischutz " music again very- well |? lajed V :^ n excellent trombone cadenza Benediction from Mass in G artistically handled, beautiful playing, lively horn, and a capital soprano. Artistic from 27 bar, finish beautiful. “Oberon” music beautiful and rich, splendid plavmg- Horn cadenza excellent boy • Storm music, finely given “ p re l emsa” music is very capably played excellent in quality and style, bravo horn’ Finale Der Freischutz” is splendidly given. An excellent performance „ Q" e ? n Alexandra’s Own.—Selection. Tristan and Isolda” (Wagner): Magnificently opened. V ivace excellent, from AA splendid indeed. Cadenza magnificent by cornet. Recit, splendid. Excellent playing and conception, all v Grv tunetnl. Lento gorgeous playing MoPe animate splendidly given. Trombone playing finely. From N excellent by all This is great playing. Molte vivo splendid Luphonuirn cadenza artistic, bravo Moderate e lento, excellent by soloist and band, from Q splendid playing, from Z splendid. A wonderful performance I did not expect 'to hear My compliments and congratulations to vou men.

'Woolston. Selection, “Mignon” (Thomas): Opens with bright tone and fine style. Andante, very well played,

euphonium excellent and band fine, a capital movement. ■ Gavotte too quick, otherwise very well played, soprano good; gets a little untuneful. Euphonium cadenza good. “ Know’st Thou the Land " soloist and band not in close tune, fair only, from letter I much improvement. Polacca, cornet plays exceedingly well, but the breaks in the time are not called f Q1 '. Cadenza good. Moderate displays a splendid trombone quite artietic, an excellent movement. Cadenza artietic to a degree. Allegro vivace well played, from Maestoso very flue and rich. A very nicely played little selection, but it will not stand against some of the others unless it is superlatively well played, and your playing lias not reached that decree Dunedin City Tramways—“ Stiflclio ” (Verdi): Tone and style only fair and untuneful in places, from B fairly good, style and executive ability not up 'to previous bands. Allegro brilliante only moderate playing,, style not good, letter E only fair, gets very untuneful, Only moderate playing from F, wild and out or tune at letter G. Rest of performance calls for no further comment; it palpably falls behind the standard the previous bands have set. Plenty of promising material in your band.

THE CLOSING SPEECHES. DR THACKER'S TRIBUTE. BEST CONTEST FOR 25 YEARS, , After the judge had announced his decision, Dr H. T. J. Thacker, of Christchurch (president of the South- Island Bands’ Asoeiation), Mr J. 11, Walker (president of the local executive), thcMayor (Mr R. S. Black), and other members of the executive took seats on the stage, and the closing speeches were made. Mr Walker introduced to the audience Dr Thacker, president of the South Island Bands' Association, saying that Dr Thacker had for many years tak«-n a keen interest in and given substantial support to the Bands’ Association.— (Applause.) Dr Thacker, who was greeted very warmly, expressed his pleasure at the reception accorded to him. “ I think you Dunedm'- people are wonderful,” he said. “ When you make up your minds to do something you do it, and you have done two things in the last 10 days— you have opened this magnificent Town Hall, which is a utility hall, and you have given it a splendid house warming in the way you have patronised the bands’ contest. As for the audience to-night it is the finest I have ever seen in New Zealand.— (Applause.) The bands’ contest is the best held in New Zealand in the last 25 years. (Applause.) Over 17,000 people paid for admission at the Carisbrook gates today.— (Applause.) On behalf of the bands, I thank you for your support. 1 wish to congratulate you on the splendid performance of the St. Hilda Band this afternoon.”—(Loud applause.) Dr Thacker went on to say that during the afternoon a silent judging had been goinnon on the ground—the judging of the best class on the part of the bands in the march. A number of ladies and gentlemen, who had acted as the judges, bad reported their findings to him, and fourfifths of them had selected the same band —tile Hastings Band.—(Applause.) Drum-major Duunett, on behalf of the Hastings Band, received Dr Thacker’s trophy amid the heartiest plaudits of the audience. The A Grade Championship Shield (presented by Dr Thacker) went to the Woolston Band, and the bandmaster (Mr Estall), on taking it over from the donor, was the recipient of vociferous applause and cheers. To the bandmaster’s wife Dr Thacker presented a silver teapot. Mi Estall expressed his pleasure at the fact that his band had won the shield, and also thanked Dr Thacker for the gift to his wife.

The presentation of other special prizes followed, the list being as under;—

Silver medals to members of champion band. A tirade (Woolstonj. Gobi medals, with special bar to Band master install (winner in A Grade), Bandmaster Phelomi" (B Grade 1, and Bandmaster Clarkson (C. Grade).

Gold medals, with special bar, to best drum-majors:—Donaldson (St. Kilda), A Grade; Durnett (Hastings); B Grade; and ■Clarkson (Green Island), C Grade. Silver medals to members of Oamaru Municipal Band and Green Island Band. .besson Shield (for highest aggregate points for music in test selections and quickstep)—Woolston. Conn Shield ((or A Grade bands’ obtaining highest aggregate marks in two test hymn test and musical points in quickstep).—Woolston. Boosey Shield (for highest marks in A Grade selections) .—Woolston, Messrs Hawke and Sons’ Shield (highest aggregate marks, including drill, in A

nl^.? oscy (highest aggregate marks in B Grade selections). —Oamaru. Boosey Cup (for South Island bands, U Grade obtaining highest points in two test selections and quickstep).—Oamaru. Ihacker thanked the Dunedin Executive tor the manner in which tire contest had been carried through. He particularly thanked Mr J, D. Hunter, supervisor. ’ 1

At the call of Dr Thacker the audience accorded Mr Hunter a round of hearty applause.

Gontmuing his remarks. Dr Thacker said he was sorry that, before his return to Christchurch he had not heard the city organ. He hoped the people in this centre would demand music that was more up-to-date than some they heard.—(A ripple of laughter). He would not say that what had gone by was bad, but it ought to be m a new setting. It was always possible to reset a diamond, aud so make it better than it was 200 rears ago.

nJul , kack ° l ; added that on his return uoith he would tell the people of Christchurch they must build a town hall better applause.) 0110 “ Dmedin ‘~(Laughter and a j 55, a &“rK! ~d “■« “ F ” “»■» Mr Walker on behalf of the executive snnn^ n i e^ m '+U lan t6C tIC tolbllC for tlleiv ttof rto,, 11 ' th ,° PaSt - Week ‘ The S-iaS thi “ "■ * »• tlm rl vis& r h (M , r S ' Black > thanked ;‘l, Sltl , ns allds for-coming in large numbers to the city, and said he would plause?f Sed t 0 Se ° them ret,ll‘n.-(Ap-thanks m +n tiD fi Cl ° S< ) d .' vith a vote of Wa fleer) * tho clla]rma u (Mr J. H. GATE TAKINGS, ETC. sio^toViJ-’ 0 !? 0 ? e ° ple paid for adrais ' The K rook ground on Saturday. nhour S f t tn-i t n ' l T S ‘%u eprescntec i a sum of ™ out , fWSO. In the evening about £2OO of dav s C 'l at H iC To ’"' n Hall > exclusive or day sales and season tickets. about 5 £22o°0 Unt f ° r tke season 15 high standard attained. THE MAYOR’S APPRECIATION. «s T to mtotol/n 1 ' R - ir Black > lias asked is to publish the lollowmg message of the b F h standard attained of to take this opportunity of nm„ dn ect .expression to my aunreciation of the high standard attained by eluded™™ s n ,f the i cnntest ."’hich was concluded on Saturday evening. The whole contest was a musical treat, and it was mittoc P to mSPlr H ion - the Bands Com--mittee tq visiting bandsmen an i°f hear , in ~ our beautiful p r to ” P 5 d ’ y SUch a IT| nster as Dr

Hastings Citizens 183| Dunedin City 79 — 26251 Tramways-, .. 176J 80 ■ — 256J 2 Oamaru Municipal 168i ' 82 — 250J — 249* — 248 3 Invercargill Civic 171Q 78 - 4 Mosgiel Municipal 177 Carterton 71 5 Municipal .. 163 70 ■ — 233 g Christchurch Municipal. "".. I34J. 72 • — 2063 7

St. Kilda .. ... Queen Alexandra's Points. Music. 186 . 89 — Tl. ■ 275 1 Own Timaru Municipal Port Nicholson .. Wellington Muni1811 174* 1722 80 *- 86 — 81 — 261A 260i • 2535 2 -.3 4 Palmerston North Woolston .. 165| 167 167 157| 87 — 82 — 82 — 85 — 2521 249 v 249 • 2423 5 6 7 8