A CHAT WITH THE PLAYERS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10962, 3 May 1907, Page 2

A CHAT WITH THE PLAYERS.

The Besses, who bring to a close this evening their wonderfully successful tour of New Zealand, are the topic of the day. Their figures are becoming a familiar sight m our streets, as tney mingle sociably with colonial admirers and colonialised compatriots who are anxious to exchange greetings with the Lancashire boys. N The broad dialect claims many kinsmen m this far-off link m the Empire chain. Messrs Bogle (secretary) and Jackson (treasurer) are men who have had over twenty years' connection with the Besses o' th' Barn. A reporter managed to get them together this morning, and found them keenly desirous of thanking the people of New Zealand for the universal hospitality the Band 1 had, received. Tbe Band's committee wished to convey their heartfelt thanks to New Zealanders for. the generous -manner m which they had been received. "Members of ; bands and bowling' clubs have done all they could for us," remarked Mr Jackson, "and the people have treated us m a way that makes us think we are m Lancashire again." After the rush of the United States, wliere they spent a busy five months playing twice a day and training it at night from one place to another, the bandsmen enjoyed the change to tlie quieter life in^this colony. From the moment they landed at Wellington they felt at home, and the warmth of Uieir reception from all classes had added greatly to the pleasure the tour had given them. The Premier, members of Parliament, and all ranks seemed to join, m makiug their stay a pleasant one. As Gisborne was the lasil town they would play at m the colony they wished to make public acknowledgment of their appreciation. In response to enquiries as to the Band's constitution and methods, Mr Bogle said that m 1892 their members all belonged, Svith-bufc a' single exception, to the village arid neighborhood whence > the Band liad taken their name. Mr Owen, 'the- conductor, has been twenty-three years with the Band, and the majority of the members have been from twelve to thirty years. With such long experience and training, joined to the men's aptitude for music, comes their * success. A strong!.* point m the Band's advancement has been their devotion to its. needs. It has been . their constant aim to keep as near perfecj tion as possible the work of the accompanying instruments, the second cornets, ■ basses; horns,- e.fcr With the "inner | parts," the foundation of tHe Band, hp to a high standard, the rest : was easier of acliievement. To this end a player who started wi.th the "inher parts" or on the accompanying instruments, ' stuck to this portion of the work. When a vacancy amonor tlie soloists' occurred it was not filled uji by 'otic' fro : in the ranks Of tlie accompanying players. Those "who provided the 'groundwork of 'the music were leff," intact, and ' another pfejer was obtained to act ap soloisj,. ' Although he might not be so effective a_s his predecessor, with the accompaniments ii_. sijch n'rst-class hands, any (Jefect-s weiie jninimised by the remainder of tlie band playing up to him and covering any blemishes, "I have not played a solo for twenty years," remarked one of the Besses, a tenor horn instrumentalist, "but have just stuck to my parte.'' Another bandsman made a similar statement, and to this must be accountable no small measure of the Band's success. "Every man to lias trade," is the well-worn saying, and the Besses liave adopted it m the world of music to apply to "every man to his part." Ten tio twenty years of constant praotice together have given them that inimitable combination, the 6ure knowledge of what the other players can and will do, which have placed them m their present unrivalled position. The organ-like effects which are so generally admired m selections and sacred music have been obtained by long training m sustained blowing, which makes them capable of hanging on to notes an extraordinary length of time. Tliis side of a band's work, and one which enables them to interpret, tlie finest music, is : neglected by many professional and military bands, who do not give the necessary tjme to it. Another important gssienfciaj iii thp B^ssgs-' s|icej.ss is thfe great control exercised over them by tjjejr "conductor, Mr •; Alexander Owen, himself a champion, bornetist, and one who can yet take Up the instrument and 6how the way to the best of players. Tlie bandsmen follow liis baton unquestioningly, and it is to Ids superb direction that t-ljey acknowledge their indebtedness m interpreting the conceptions and ideals of the com-

Since their Royal command to Windsor two years ago the bandsmen state they have been continuously touring m England, France, America, and New Zealand. They anticipate another tour of the Old Country, after their return from Australia, before settling down m their homes. There is : no intention of disbanding at tlie completion of their long tour, and the famous organisation will still be carried on. Tlie Band leave m the morning for Sydney, where they open to-morrow week.