SECOND DAY-THURSDAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2539, 12 November 1902, Page 14

SECOND DAY-THURSDAY.

The contest for second class bands was oontinued at Mosgiel on the 30th, the weather conditions being all that could be desired. The attendance was naturally not so large as on the first day, but in the evening it was nearly sufficient to fill the Mosgiel Woollen Company's big woolshed, where during yesterday morning, afternoon, and evening the solo and quartet competitions were held. In the afternoon the attendance was large considering the circumstances, and the various performances were watched with keen interest and with an impartial ear for their merits. A start was made with the solos at 10 a.m., and despite a large number of entries very good progress was made with them throughout the day, thanks to the excellent arrangement's. The accompaniments were played by different ladies in most instances. Honours in the events were fairly well distributed, but Port Chalmers came off particularly well, the trombone, B flat cornet, and E flat cornet solo awards ~ all- going to that band, four of whose members were also successful in the quartet competition, while another of their members tied with a Queenstown bandsman for first place in the E flat boss solo competition. The tenor horn and drum competition winners were found in the Mosgiel Band. The euphonium solo went to Milton, and the baritone and B flat bass first prize medals were secured by Queenstown bandsmen. The awards appeared to give every satisfaction, ami Port Chalmers were heartily applauded for their success. The last decision was announced by 10.15 p.m. In the morning the annual meeting of the Otago and Southland Brass Baaidb' Association was held, when it was decided to hold next year's contest at Port Ohnlmers. A number of resolutions were also passed, which will be seen in the report which appears in another column. Appended are the results of the day's performances. SOLO COMPETITION. B Flat "Bass: W. Boyes (Queenstown), " Schnsucht," 37 points; James Whi f e (Mosgiel;, "Hardy Norseman,' 36 points; K. Foreman (Port Chalmers), " I Lombardi," 32 points; J. Keenan (Bluff), "Air Varie," 31 points. The judge did not comment on the playing. E Flat Bass: A. Salter (Port Chalmers), " Zenobia," and T. Tallentyre (Queenstown), " Will yo no come back again," 37 points (equal) ; T. Bryce (Milton), " Kelvin Grove," 36 points; W. King (Milton), " Zenobia,"~34 points. In comment on the playing the judge said it had given him very great satisfaction indeed. It was very closa work between the first two, so much so, that he could not separate them. If one was excellent in one department tho other was equally so in another. E Flat Tenor : E. Gibson (Mosgiel), " Scenes that are brightest," 37 points; G. Wishart (Queenstown), "Tho ash grove," 35 points; T. Kelly (Queenstown), " Tancredi," 35 points; R. M'Downll (QueenstownV " Will ye no come back again;," 83 jjoiuts. With regard to the .

player of the "Tancredi" selection the"ju3g# stated that his performance was very goodjrftimes, showing good tone and also very faijjr execution indeed, but in his judgment the soli* was too much for him. It was a very.'fine- solo> which lie well knew, having himself trained^ one of their champion players in it, and if tha present player, whoever he was 2 would talku more care, or, in plain English, not "rush." 5 it so much, he would do very well with it. ( Baritone: G. M'Dowall (Queenstownfj, "British Grenadiers," 36 points; S. Ferguson (Bluff), " Schnsucht," 34 points; W. Honeybone (Port Chalmers), "Schnsucht," 33 points ;j F. Beasley (Milton), " Wiederkehr," 32 points;] W. Newman (Bluff), " Thaa you'll remember;me," 32 points. In commenting on the performance the judge said the execution of the* winner was very fair indeed, but he was somewhat lacking in the slower movements, ancl" should cultivate a greater rfrecdoai of. style, and tone also. He had great difficulty in deciding the eecond place. Drums: The teat quickstep selection to ba played— John Smith and James Wingfield (Mosgiel), 38 points ; J. W. Gardiner and P. Rattigan (Queenstown), ' 36 points; T. M'Callumt and F. Grant (Milton), 35 points; H. J. Norxii and H. Z. Chapman (Bluff), 34 points. Ther judge said the side-drum of the band taking!, the second place was evidently very good, butt all the parts were not accurately read. Euphonium: Andrew Bryce (Milton), ""Mjt pretty Jane," 88 points ; G-. M'Dowall (Queensv town), "British Grenadiers," 37 points; Si Ferguson (Bluff), " Sohnsucht,"\3s points. Im comment the judge stated that, there waa not, much to choose between the first *nd second players, but Jdie. former yrs& 'superior in- tone; which' was more sonorous than withKth'e'winneir of secolid" place, while there .w*s -also '.more* freedom in -his .play. Speaking generally;, however, anost of tho slow movements. -were draggecl , out "after the manner of. a funeral- inarch J There was a medium in all things. . It was better to use a little. give and take, .and it was very wearying for the judge; tp^hav.o: to. listeni to- • theße "continual see^saw- movements. Ha hoped what he said would be .taken in tha spirit in which -it wo 3 spoken, and that theg would try and improve in this respect. Tha greatest living authorities in band work in the* Old Country would tell them precisely tha same — that there was a tendency, to'drag out? these slow movements. Trombone: C. MConnell XJPort Chalmers?, "Mia," 39 points; Thomas Williamspn (Mos* giel), "Grand fantas'a. obligato," . 37 points; J". Fraser (Queenatown), " Send forth' the call,'* 36 points ; Archie Bryce (Milton)) " Schjo^ sucht," 35 points. The judge stated that that last and winning performance had given himj great pleasure' indeed. The solo was a very difficult one indeed, tor the instrument, anct one in which in 1834 he had himself taken second prize for All England. In the present; case the player had shown great, freedom o£ style, and played very .-well considering ther difficulty of ttte solo. There was .also something good in the performance of the playet taking eecond place — he played with a. fails amount of freedom at times, hut he should advise him to cultivate a warmer tode, hisr present tone being rather hard and thin. Tha third performance wag also good .in parts, its player getting a very good tone. If .he ha<B been more careful in his work he would probably have taken second place. n B Flat Cornets: E, Schnack(Port Cha!mers)v " Nordische," 38 points; 'W. Waters- (Porti Chalmers)., •' Edelweiss," -85 points; -C. 'Kerff (Tuapeka), " Eocked in the, cradle. of ths.deep,','' 33 points-; H. Brooke (Milton), 32 points; A*. Beasley (Miltonf, 32 points; W. "Wurr (Tuapeka), 32 points; W.. Taylor (Gore), 31pointsr W. King (Milton), 30 points. Tha judge..statecl that until he hearJ the last player to perform! he thought he should have' a difficulty in" selecting a -winner. A good many of the, 'performers were not -up to expectations, but that of tha winner ha had no hesitation in classing as byr far the best. Tho win waa evidently a veryj popular one. Quartet Competition: Selection, "Faust/* for first and second cornets, tenoc horn, and euphonium — Port Chalmers - (A. Schnack, E. Schnack, C. Campbe!!, J. Wilmott), 34 points; Milton (A. Beasley, G. Littlejohn, T. Lockhart, A. Bryce), 33 points; Miltsu (H. Brooke, W. King, J. "Wilson, a/tid "F. Beaaley), 32 points ; Queenstown (A. Anderson, C. Fraser, T. Kellv, and! G. M'Dowall), 30 points; Port Chalmers CR?. Montgomery, C. Gifford, R. Wilknott, and C. M'Connell), 25 points. Mosgiel entered, but withdrew. The judge said the playing had not come up to liis expectations, but was creditable nevertheless, . considering the difficulties of the harmonies of the well-known ppcra. E Flat Cornets: F. Buckley (Port Chalmers)', " Tancredi," 38 point*; C. E. Keen (Gore), " The ash grove," 33 points; A. Hancock (Milton), " Will ye no come back again," 35 points. The winnei's performance was commented on by the judge as a very creditable rendering or a difficult solo. The Mayor of Mosgiel (Mr T. Aitken) then presented the medals and special prizes won during the contest. Bandmaster A. Schnack (Port Chalmers) securing the medal presented by C. Beg? p.nd Co." 'tq the bandmaster of the baud winning thg test selection, likewise the' best . bell "metroj nbms presented by the Dresden Company for the bandmaster of the band makings the highest aggregate points in the test aelee* tion and quickstep competition, and also the ivory .and ebony baton -presented -by the London Organ and Piano Company to the bandmaster of tho band scoring highest points for music in the quickstep. Begg and Co.'s medal to the drummer of the quirtcstep winners went .to the Bluff. Mr Aitken then moved a hearty vote o£ thanks to Lieutenant Herd for the able manner in which he had carried out his duties as judge as evinced in the fact thafc his decisions had been received without a word of dissent. He hoped Lient&nant Herd would be able to show people in the Old Country what thU colony could produce inf the way of bandsmen, and had no doubts those under his charge would acquit themselvea nobly. — (Applause.) Lieutenant Herd replied, thanking those present for their approbation. His duties had been arduous, ho said, but had nevertheless been rendered pleasant by the splendid manner in which the audience had conducted themselves. He had attended numerous band contests in this colony, Australia; and Great Britain, and he found that the behaviour both of audience and bandsmen was infinitely better in New Zealand and Australia than at similar funotiona in the Old Country. Cheers for Lieutenant Herd brought s well-managed and thoroughly successful contest to a close.

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