BALLARAT BAND CONTEST

Otago Witness, Issue 2955, 2 November 1910, Page 29

BALLARAT BAND CONTEST

BALLARAT, October 2b. It is estimated that 15,000 persons were present on the City Oval for -the final band contests. Twenty-one bands, representing 600 bandsmen, competed in the ' various events. The principal interest centred in the first-class grade contest, wherein the premier Victorian bands met the crack New Zealand combination. A notable fact was that Wanganui was allotted 174 points only in' the test selection from Weber's works, against 208 scored by Prahan, 198 by Collingwood, and 191 by Ballarat City. This- test was played late at night in a bitter cold wind-, making it necessary for the players to run about in their overcoats to keep the blood in circulation, while it was difficult to get their instruments warmed up to the work. This is suggested as a probable cause for Wangahui'e comparatively poor display. The judge, in his remarks, eaid he considered that Wanganui's test came close to a well-rendered selection, skill and artistic temperament being shown in its interpretation. It was in their own eelection, "The Valkyrie," that the Wanganui Band took the judge by storm. He declared it to be an extraordinary performance and a treat to listen to. Wanganui's success was greeted with great cheering. MELBOURNE, October 25. The King's Trumpeter, reviewing the ■work of the bands at the recent contest, >says that the euphonium playing was generally weak in tone and style, but the cornet contests were splendid. He had never heard better phrasing and tone. The solo tenor horns had made cent, per cent, strides, while the middle and inner parts of the Australian bands had increased in expression and tone by leaps and bounds during the past two years.

The Wanganui Band has arrived here. It will leave for Sydney on November 2, arid will give a concert at Albury on Friday. October 26. Mr Short, the adjudicator at the Ballarat band contest, says the leadingbands in the competition would have won against any band in Britain. He had never heard the playing of Code (the champion cornetist) equalled.. The Lord Mayor officially received the .Wanganui Band at the Town Hall at noon to-day, and extended, on behalf of the citizens of Melbourne, a cordial welcome. He congratulated them on their great honour in winning the Australasian championship, and he was delighted to think that a small town in the sister Dominion had displayed such pluck and enterprise in sending its band a long distance and at such expense. They might feel proud of the honour in New Zealand. The band had an unbeaten record for eight yeans, and it had now added .fresh and greater laurels, not only in music but in marching. This was most creditable to New Zealand and to Wanganui in particular. The visit of the New Z-ealandors was another evidence of .the fine spirit which had prompted the Dominion to take a prominent part in the past in important Imperial questions. Mr Muir (the manager of the band) replied on behalf of the band. An organ recital was specially arranged for the band in the Town Hall this afternoon. SYDNEY, October 29. The Wanganui Band has arrived here from Melbourne. They gave a successful concert at Albury, where they were accorded a civic reception. They leave for honie via Auckland on Wednesday.