DOMINION BAND CONTEST

Patea Mail, Volume L, 4 March 1929, Page 2

DOMINION BAND CONTEST

k DIGIT STL id GOMDDTITiUN. A AiLMUItAHLH HA A. The Dominion Hand Contest ai Wan ganui drew to a close on Saturday a (.’- t raoun lust in Cook’s Guldens, with the holding of the A and B grtide lauds’ quick step competition, (he n ost popular of all the events. Those who were fortunate enough to be pre-M-nt were treated to some oi tne lines!, marching and baud music they had ■, er .-een and heard, in fact, in the opinion of it local resident who was piesent, ami who can speak with im.ux h.-ui the average authority, the exhibition of the A grade bands was one of the Jinesl ever seen in New Zealand. Tlf-re was not one weak performance, either in the A or B grades, the marching being a treat to watch, particularly when tin- diliicuir turns ami other movements wore carried out without a hitch of any kind. The several thousand spectators were most impartial in their applause, and were quick to appreciate a well executed movement, or the different treatment of the subject of the march. The bandsmen’s energy 'must liave been severely taxed, for besides marching along the Avenue to the gardens between If ami 1, it was approximately an hour from the lime each band fell in for its tost until the final word of dismissal was given. That the strain wits felt was shown at the conclusion of the contest, when the bands were in massed formation :awaiting- the results. To the huge amusement of the crowd. “How Dry We Arc’’ was rendered feelingly by the weary bandsmen. When the results had been made known the B grade bauds gave a splendid rendering of their test march, under the able -baton of ML James Crichton, of Wanganui, who then conducted the whole of the IS bands, of approximately 500 players, in a stirring rendering of the old favourite, “Colonel Bogey.’’ The recent contest was undoubtedly one that will be memorable in the history of New Zealand bands.