GREEN ISLAND BAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23514, 31 May 1938, Page 4

GREEN ISLAND BAND

SEVENTY-THIRD ANNIVERSARY LONG HISTORY REVIEWED The Green Island Municipal Band Will next, week celebrate the seventythird anniversary of its foundation by holding a reunion, a dance, a church parade and a concert. It was in 1865 that Mr J. Scott organised and conducted the first band in the village of Green Island. Under conditions vastly different to those of to-day, the enthusiasts who formed the band rehearsed regularly and attained some degree of efficiency. The earliest records of a public performance show that the Green Island Band was present at the Caledonian sports of 1866, and for its performance the band was congratulated on the progress it had made. An old player who joined the band in 1868 under Conductor Scott confirms this report. At that time there was a membership of 22 players, the majority of whom were miners, but the band later had difficulty regarding players. Most of the men followed wherever their work took them, and a good many found employment at Kaitangata and on the West Coast.

When Mr Scott relinquished the conductorship Mr D. Ellis was next to take charge. A coalminer employed at Walton Park and a fine clarinet player, he proved his efficiency as a conductor as well and achieved some success, but a good many players were noted for their absence from reihearsals. Mr Ellis was very strict regarding attendance, and because of the slackness of members he resigned his position in 1884. Another Green Island resident, Mr F. Stent, again a clarinet player, then took charge. He purchased some old brass instruments from the North Dunedin Rifles Band (later the North-East Valley Band), and carried out rehearsals in his own home, the membership at that time totalling 16 players. > Sneed’s barn was subsequently used for practices, but headquarters were again changed to the old hall opposite Mr R. Campbell’s store. Mr Stent, who was a watchmaker and jeweller, elected to try his fortune in the then growing city, and after one year’s useful conductorship resigned his position. Mr David Richardson took up the baton, and the band increased in membership and efficiency. The needs of the district were well catered for, the band being on parade on every possible occasion. Mosgiel had a band and the two amalgamated to attend a contest at Invercargill. Success did not attend the effort. Numerous Changes Mr Richardson continued as conductor until the opening of the present Town Hall, then known as the Volunteer Hall. For this event, in the year 1888. the baud was assisted by one or two members of the Dunedin Engineers’ Band under Mr T. Chapman, one of Dunedin’s leading cornet players. The numbers rendered on this occasion were the selection "Maritana" and the waltz “Beautiful Loch Lomond.” Some time later Mr Richardson resigned owing to business reasons, and Mr D. Buchanan took charge, assisted by Mr D. Somerville and Mr R. Nve. Mr Somerville is credited with being the best cornet player Green Island ever produced. Mr Nye was an excellent clarinet player and an accomplished performer on the baritone. For business reasons, 1 Mr Buchanan was later forced to resign, and the band came under the control of three members—Messrs D. Somerville, R. Nye and E. Harrison. In 1896 Mr W. Halsey was elected to take charge and remained in office for two years. The year 1898 saw the late Lieutenant S. George as conductor. He did not remain long, however, and Mr Halsey again came to the conductor’s stand. In 1911 the band was reorganised. Mr D. Buchanan was again elected conductor, and a complete new set of instruments was purchased from the London Piano Company. Rehearsals were held in Mr R, McDonald’s blacksmith shop and were later transferred to the Town Hall. Recruits were plentiful, and everything went well. In 1913 the band possessed a new naval uniform, the first public appearance in this being a parade to the Presbyterian Church. In the same year the band entered for the Balclutha contest, the selection being “ Memories of the Opera,” and the quickstep, “ For Freedom and Honour. More Recent Years The outbreak of war In 1914 caused the contest to be abandoned. In 1915 Mr W. Deer took over the conductorship, but after five years of valuable service he resigned. Mr Claude Davie, a well-known Dunedin bass player, succeeding him. Two years quickly passed by, and Mr Davie resigned, to be replaced by Mr L. Borrow, the present conductor of the Mosgiel Municipal Band. His term as conductor was for one year only, when that fine cornet player Mr B. Holland took charge. His efforts, however, were not attended by success, because of insufficient interest and poor rehearsals. Again, Mr Deer, assisted by Messrs R. Tait, J. Miller and W. Watt, reorganised the band, and most of the old players rallied round the stands, and another class of learners commenced training. The band advanced rapidly, but, owing to failing health, Mr Deer resigned in 1929. His position was taken by Mr F. Clarkson, a well-known Dunedin brass band musician, and then commenced a new era in brass band work in Green Island. Mr T. McLean, the present conductor, took charge in 1935. Contests Entered Since the new era opened in 1929 under the conductorship of Mr Clarkson, the band has endeavoured to giye members every opportunity to. gam experience under as many good judges of music as possible. Consequently, a good deal of time has been employed in preparation for contests. The following contests have been attended: 1930, Dominion contest, at Dunedin (Conductor Clarkson, Drum-major H. G. Taylor): awarded the C Grade Championship of New Zealand; winners of the C Grade Selection and Quickstep (own choice); selection, “ Mignon quickstep, “ The Flying Squadron. 1932; Dominion contest at Dunedin, B Grade (Conductor F. Clarkson, Drum-major H. Taylor). 1933: Otago and Southland bands’ conlest at Invercargill (Conductor r. Clarkson, Drum-major W. Perrin). 1935: Otago and Southland bands’ contest at Oamaru (Conductor T McLean, Drum-major J. A. R. Brown). 19oo: Otago and Southland bands’ contest at Gore. Awarded Besson Shield for Championship of Otago and Southland (Conductor T. Mel can. DrUmmajor J, A. R. Brown). 1937: Otago and Southland bands' contest at Dunedin (Conductor T. McLean, Drummajor J. A.,R. Brown). McLean Shield For the past two years the bandsmen have competed amongst themselves every three months for a shield presented to the band for solo competition. Trophies are awarded to successful competitors, and the McLean Shield is presented annually to the player with the highest aggregate for the four solos. Winners of the McLean Shield to date are:—l937, Bandsman W. Armstrong (euphonium); 1933 Bandsman D. Miller (E flat bass) Special music medals have been awarded as follows: —1937, Bandsman R. Smith (B flat cornet); 1938, Bandsman W. Armstrong (euphonium). The shield was presented by Mr F McLean, brother of the band conductor, a fine cornetist of some years ago. The present conductor df the band has on many occasions proved his worth as a soloist at championship contests. His successes have been gained on both the B flat flugel horn and soprano cornet. With an excellent record as a soloist and an experienced bandsman, he received his training under that renowned Kaikorai conductor G. B. Laidlaw, and gained a fine knowledge of the requirements of brass band playing. The drum-major, J. A. R. Brown, took over the military training of the band prior to the Oamaru contest in 1935. On all occasions he has proved himself the right man for the position

which he fills with distinct credit. Originally a trainer and drum-major of the Dunedin Highland Pipe Band, his knowledge of the requirements for quickstep contests is a distinct asset to the band.