THE SALVATION ARMY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23331, 25 October 1937, Page 4

THE SALVATION ARMY

WEEK-END MUSICAL FESTIVAL SEVEN BANDS PARTICIPATE The musical festival, organised by the Salvation Army authorities for the purpose of improving the work of the bands in the South Island was commenced in Dunedin on Saturday, and was continued yesterday. Bands from Christchurch, Ashburton, Waimate and Invercargill, as well as the three Dunedin bands, paraded at the Railway Station on Saturday afternoon and proceeded to the Early Settlers’ Hall, where the visitors were entertained at afternoon tea, the proceedings being presided over by Lieutenant-commissioner and Mrs Adams, the leaders of the Salvation Army in New Zealand, With whom were associated Lieutenantcolonel Scotney, Lieutenant-colonel Church, the divisional headquarters staff, and Adjutant Chandler, of Christchurch. In the evening a musical .festival, which was attended by a large audience, was held in the Salvation Army Citadel, Dowling street, a long programme of band, choral and instrumental items being presented. After the opening song, “ Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven,” the massed bands gave fine renderings of the hymn tunes, “ Duke Street ” and “ St. Helens.” The Invercargill Band, under Bandmaster R. Richards, played “ Good-bye Pharaoh,” and the Waimate Songsters, conducted by Leader E. Rive, sang “Praise Ye the Lord.” The selection, “ Great and Glorious,” was presented by the Ashburton Band, under Bandsman G. Argyle, and Bandsman R. Raper, of Invercargill, played the piano-accordion solo, “Army Melodies.” The Dunedin South Band, conducted by Bandsman M. Carey, gave a vigorous interpretation of “Pressing Onward,” and the Invercargill Songsters, under Leader E. Chisholm, sang “I Need Thee Now,” and the Christchurch City Band, under the conductoi’ship of Bandsman N. Goffin, presented “Songs of the Morning.” The elocutionary number, “ The Leper,” was given by Sister M. Thorne, of Invercargill, and the Dunedin North Band, conducted by Bandsman Henderson, played the selection, “ The Fighting Line,” while the Dunedin South Songsters, under Leader E. Daniels, were heard in “ Sound Forth the Praises.” The selection, “Exodus,” was played by the Dunedin City Band, conducted by Bandsman A. Millard, and a male quartet from Dunedin North sang “What a Friend.” The Waimate Band, under Bandsman T. Rive, presented the selection “My Fortress,” Bandsman E. Danholt, of Christchurch, played the violin solo “Thais,” and the Invercargill Band was herd in the selection “Eventide.” Under the conductorship of Leader W. Baylis, the Dunedin City Songsters sang “ Liberators,” the Ashburton Band played the march “Steadily Forward,” Bandsman H. 'Hayward, of Ashburton, presented the xylophone solo “A Miniature March.” and the Christchurch City Band played the selection “Scandinavian Melodies.” Tie playing of the doxology by the massed bands and the pronouncing of the benediction brought the entertainment to a close.

BAND AND SONGSTER COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING HELD The Salvation Army Bands and Songster Bridages visiting, the city from Waimate, Invercargill, Ashburton, and Christchurch, together with the Dunedin combinations, united for a council at the fortress in Dowling street yesterday morning. Commissioner F. Adams presided. Those assembled numbered about 250. The commissioner briefly reviewed the progress made in recent years by the Army’s musical forces in the Dominion. He stated that there were now 60 Salvation Army Bands in New Zealand, _ with a membership of 954. In addition, there were nine Young People’s Bands, and no fewer than 250 boys were playing instruments or learning. The Songster Brigades numbered 27, with a membership of 511. There were also eight Young People’s Songster Brigades, with a membership of 121.

The Army had high standards for its bandsmen and songsters, stated the commissioner, and these must be maintained. Some valuable «and practical counsel on h« w to keep up the standard and on the life and work of Army musicians and singers was given by the commissioner. Undoubtedly the council would help much to improve the various bands and songsters.

In the afternoon a programme of great merit was given by the various combinations in the fortress. The items were as follows:

Selection, “The Blood and Fire Flag,” Ashburton Band; song, “Where Dwellest Thou,” Waimate Songsters; selection, “ Boundless Love,” Dunedin South Band; xylophone solo, “The Ransomed Army,” Bandsman S. Mason (Dunedin South); march, “Mighty to Save.” Waimate Band; song, “For Me,” Invercargill Songsters; cornet solo, “Maoriland,” Dunedin City Band; song. “The Mills of God,” Dunedin South Songsters; selection, “A Sunbeam.” Christchurch City Band; selection. " My Redeemer,” Dunedin North Band; piano accordion duet, “My Jesus,” Y.P. Songster Leader Mrs Lemin and Bandsman Raper (Invercargill); selection, “A Divine Call,” Invercargill Band; hymn tune, “Rutherford,” massed bands.

The visiting bands and songsters were at various corps at night. The Christchurch Band was at the Dowling street fortress, Commissioner Adams conducting the service. The Ashburton Band was at Dunedin North, Major Parkinson leading. The Invercargill Band and Songsters were at Dunedin South, Adjutant Chandler being in charge. The Waimate Band and Songsters were at Roslyn, Captain Stone leading.

To-day a field day will be held at Tahuna Park. The bands will assemble at 9.30 a.m., and there will be a flag history ceremony, with Adjutant Dick in charge, and a marching display, under the direction of Adjutant Chandler. A programme will be given by the visiting bands during the afternoon, and there will be a united parade and an open-air meeting conducted by the commissioner at 3.30. To-night a united musical meeting will be held in the fortress, the com-, missioner acting as chairman.