BAND COLUMN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 65

BAND COLUMN.

Notbs bt CoayiT. B«eretari«B of bands are invited to send in intertiting paragraphs, also brisf report* oi jpmxadM and othYr function! in which their btscls take part. A!I oomm-anioKtion* mhould be addressed to " Cormrt." Ot«f o Witnew office. — - — — — Derry's Private Band (Christchurch) held its annual meeting on July 8, a full muster of members attending. The chairman's report for the year was highly satisfactory. The Exhibition caused an extra busy season, and over £200 was earned by the' band. The Managing Committee is active and keen in the best interest of the band's welfare. During the past year the library has been replenished by the addition of 40 new marches, 12 standard overtures, and several first-class selections. Instruments to the value of £100 have been purchased from Bessoh'6, London, and were paid off in the short time of* four months. " The instrumentation has been improved by the addition of alto and bass clarinets, two cornets, flute and piccolo, the complete instrumentation of the band being: hornets 5, fiugels 2, horns 4, baritones 2, euphonium 1, saxophones 5, piccolo 1, flutes 2, oboe 1, clarinets (tenor, alto, and bass) 14, trombones 3, string bass 1, bassi 6, drums and tympani 2; — total, 49. The balance sheet showed the band property valued at • £475, with cash in hand £20 ; liabilities nil. Whilst giving primary attention to the business- side, the social functious of the band are to be well looked after, and a strong committee is carrying out the annual social. The sum of three guineas was voted for a trophy for the best artender during the coming year. Prizes for best attendance were presented by Bandmaster Derry to Messrs Smith. Hurst, Jones, and Rowe. The meeting was full of enthusiasm, and looked forward to a successful year. Votes of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings. The Stanmore Band (Christchurch) has decided on a set of Hawkes and' Co.'s in- ' struments. Phis old-established band was at one time one of the best bands in Christchurch, but of late years it has been somewhat unlucky. It is hoped, with the new instruments, the Stanmose will again become *& first-cjasa band. Although retired from band' work, Mr J. O'Brien, the well-known euphonium player, does not intend to give up playing altogether. He 'just recently purchased a Boosey class A euphonium, engraved and embellished — a splendid instrument. Mr O'Brien is still euphonium soloist for the Dunedin Orchestral Society, a position he has filled with credit for the past 15 years, and I believe I am safe in saying without ever having missed a concert.- In band competitions, solo, and cvuartet competitions Mr O'Brien is well-known from Auckland to the Bluff, having made his debut with the Kaikocai Band at the Dunedin and South Seas Exhibition contest in 188990; From 1891 till 1902 he played with the Dunedin Navale, afterwards transfer ring to the Saikorai Band, and remaining with them till May of this year- Many prizes are the result of Mr O'Brien's long' career as a euphonium soloist. The Kaikorai and Citizens' Bands intentholding socials at an early date. The social side is scarcely, co well catered for in; Dunedin as in some other centres. Mr E. Schnack, solo cornet of the Dunedin Navals Band, has definitely resigned the position. He will probably play again for Port Chalmers. Lieutenant T. Herd, of the Wellington. Garrison Band, has been appointed judge of the band contest at Ashburton. By acting as judge at several of our secondclass contests, Herd has nowbecome quite a popular adjudicator, his decisions giving general satisfaction. The W*ihi Band has lost its well-known, conductor, Mr C. Trussell, he having been appointed to the Ipswich Vice-regal Band^ (Queensland). He will enter on his new duties at the end of the present month. Mr Trussell was as well known as a composer as a conductor. His arrangements., of the selection "L'Ebreo" (New Plymouth contest), "Souvenir di Opera" (played as own elioio^ ai. tke ls±e Ohrisfceliuro}i contest). grand test selection "Lombard!," and marches "Rimutaka," "Southern Cross," etc., are of exceptional merit. His departure will prove a distinct loss to the band world of New Zealand. Prizes of £150, £35, and £15 are to be 'given for the B grade band contest in connection with the musical competitions to be held next year at Albury (New South Wales). Band contests are making rapid strides in Australia. rhe Woolston (Christchurch) Band has just held its annual meeting. The band is in a splendid position, both musically and financially. Amongst other business, the proposed trip to the Bellarat -contest came up for cons -deration. The question ; of ways and means having been thoroughly J gone into, it was decided that the band , could no see its way clear to compete, j The band lias obtained a new uniform at j a cost of £180, and is now fully equipped, j with the exception of an up-to-date band- j room. The band has a freehold section i centrally situated and convenient cf access to all .he members. The committee having had plans and specifications prepared, ten- j ders were submitted, which showed that a suitable building could be erected for a . trifle over £300. The members and their supporters will combine in their endeavour to have the hall erected as soon as possible. Lieutenant W. V. Siddall wa« ananimously re-elected conductor. Mr E. Round, the retiring secretary, has held the position for 15 years. His successor is Mr F. L. | Woledge. Woolstou's bass drum bears the j following Maori: — "Aotea-roa ! ake, ake, ■ ake!"' (Xew Zealand for ever and ever), then "I strike," "Tohe. Kia Kaha," again. The above was painted by Boosey and Co. The popular band of the Ist Life Guards, under the direction of Mr Fred Haines, L.R.A.M., played a most pleasing programme of music at Windsor Castle recently, which was highly appreciated. Good music was supplied at the New South Wales v. New Zealand football matches by the Newton Band, under Conductor T. Mellor, and the State Band, under Lieutenant Bentley. To a bandsman those few lines, amongst the columns and pages of football matter shone out bright and clear. The Dunedin Garrison Band headed the troops on their route march parade on Monday night, 19th inst. There was a good nruster, and the plas-ing without lights was distinctly creditable. The parade made | a good impression, a large number of the j public \uiucsaing the departure Lota the '

Triangle about 8 p.m. and the return to th\ Garrison Hall a little after 10 p.m. Th«£ band, as usual," was in charge of Lieutenant George. - St. Augustine's Orphanage .Band is now known as "The Little Besses." Mr W. Mansel], writing from Christ-* church, and sending best wkhes for the "Band Column," would like to hear occasionally about' hisf old band (Tuapeka), -of v.hich he was. a member many years ago. Bandsmen who toolc part in the Christchurch contest in 1893 will perhaps haje pleasant .recollections of Mr Mansell, he being the first secretary of the newlyformed South Island Brass Bands' Association, under whose, auspices many successfid contests were held. In all matters pertaining to the welfare of bands Mr Mansell is. one of the keenest enthusiasts hi New ~2ealanaV *~" r ' *.•••- A feY particulars of the contest referred to may prove of interest: — The test selections were "Verdi," from Wright and Round's Journal, and acknowledged to be the most tuneful selection yet published. "Roberto il Diavolo" (Meyerbeer), arranged by T. E. Buleh, of Victoria, is * very difficult selection. "Three- Dunediik bands, took part in the competition — Kaikopmi <Mr E. S+rattoo),.. Dunedin Naval s (J.. Coombs), Dunedin •. Engineers (Signor Squarise). Mr G. A. Marjan (now of Wan-, ganui) was -judge, "*and gave nic decision thus:— lnvJereargai- Garrison 1, Kaikora* And- Wellington 'Garrison tie for second ploee, Christohurch Garrison 3, Wellington Gky- 4>"*-tn' thereolo oomjjefraons the" eornefsdlo wis wqn,oy A. Lrthgow (Invercargjiy, r p&yi«ff •>■ E. Derry (t'AlexaT) taking -Becond 'place. W. W. Bird -(D»edin;.NioValß), beat all competitors in the ijTomboae eection, and; played 'Senshuct." The .hern solo was taken' by H. Daviei (Kaifcpr'iuj. -In the judge's noteson *ftobertqs" it is said tha* Davie was the only horn soloist that played the horn solo correctly in the selection. The perform-, •nee of- "Roberto" by the Naval Band was, and ;s; s acknowledged aa»- the beat rendition" of a selection ever put up by the band.* The Mornington, the only one of our leeolr bands to play out during the printer, again, occupied the Gardens rotunda. Although doing a "freeze," the pu-blio listened patiently and enjoyed a good programme well played. The best piece— * selection, '•Gems of Chopin"— was really 'wet! dofce, the opening four bars of crescendo, forzando, and dim/ being nicely played. The solos for soprano (duet), cornet, euphonium,' and trombone showed .. steady, rehearsal. A 'little more, breadth and "*teclWmation in the trombone recit. and soio is needed. Amongst other numbers the :b*ndi played a capital .. march,', one Jtf.ther best «yey iheardeinithe ■Gardens. ►.. There was a good. muster — about' 's4, — and as usuaf CJondujetor,' Smith" was in. charged 'Good attendance «t" r rehWrsals' has? evidently been '9»erule with Morningtoh^Band. My . Cromwell correspondent writes:-?: John Gordon, late of Taranaki Gj*rj rjson and Waihi Bands, is now conducting the Cromwell Band, . and is working • upsome very goo 4 programmes.' The pubhc Here, as elsewhere, do not care 'for heavy selections, and to eater well for all classes we play mostly lighter pieces, fantasias,, waltzes* and operatic selections, varied occasionally with a good classical selection. Mr T. Marshall, gold medallist at Port Chalmers arid Gore contests, and one of wof best bandsmen, is now playing second bjwatone in the Wellington Garrison Band, and in a letter from Mr T. Herd, ha speaks very highly of Mr Marshall *s a player. As there" "is no better man in TSew Zealand- -to t^=»t » b*ndsff»«»»V ability thaa Mr Bferd f > rthe' Cromwell Baud, deservea credit Jot turnings out such a good man » i %, Marshall has proved himself to me.