THE BAND CONTEST.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12686, 13 February 1912, Page 7

THE BAND CONTEST.

SUCCESSFUL OPENING. If the opening day is any criterion the success of the fifteenth annual contest m connection with the North Island Brass Band Association is assured. Although favored by superb weather the turn-out at yesterday's function at the Park exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine. It is estimated that there were at least 1500 people at the official reception, which far and away exceeded tho attendance 'at the opening day of the last contest at Palmerston North. The proceedings passed off most successfully, and one and all appeared to enjoy the outing, to say nothing of the music which was provided by the bands. "A musical treat," was the general expression uttered, when tho massed bands had completed tho rendering of "Conqueror," under tho baton of Lieut. Herd. The individual bands received well-merited applause for their selections, whilst the Whangarei Municipal Band, who are making their first appearance at a contest,, had to respond to an encore m playing ''The Lost Chord." One of the chief events m connection with the contest, .the quick-step competition, to take ,placo next Thursday afternoon, Avill also be held at the Park, and even a larger gathering than yesterday's is expected to assemble. LAST NIGHTS COMPETITIONS. His Majesty's Theatre was more than comfortably filled m most parts last night, when a most successful opening day of the band contest was brought to a close. The competitions for the evening were the E flat soprano, cornet solos and the euphonium solos. In the former the test piece was the rather intricate "Bravo, Bravo, Don Pasquale," from Donizette's opera, and m the latter the solo was the better-known "Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Winds." In the soprano cornet competition all six entrants took part, and some good playing was heard. The judge, Lieut. Herd, was accommodated m a screened-off enclosure m the back! left-hand corner of the dress circle, and eventually he gave his decision, placing the competitors m the following order: — W. Summers (Wanganui City), 43pts. 1 W. Combie (Waihi Federal), 42pts. ... 2 F. C Wilkinson (Gis. City), 40pts. ... 3 L. Neighbours (Westport Gar.), 39pts. 4 B. Bowater (Palmerston North), 37pts 5 A, lv9-*thei*6y (Whangarei M.), 36pts. 6 Tlie euphonium solo attracted perhaps even more attention, and the playing ail round was of a fairly high order' of merit, although one or two stood out above their fellow competitors. As m the soprano solo competition, each player was greeted with a hearty round of applause on commencing and completing his performance. Tlie judge's decision placed the men as follows: — W. Harris (Gisborne C), 45pts. ... 1 C. Mills" (Waihi Federal), 44pts. ... 2 A. E. Fulljames (Whangarei), 43pts. 3 W. T. Gray (Wanganui City), 39pt5... 4 H. McCaskill (Westport G.), 37pt5.... b A. A. Whiting (Wanganui G), 37pts. 5 J. Harvey (Palmerston N.), 36pt5.... 6 R. Leader (Gisborne City), 36pts. ... 6 J. Elder (Masterton M.), 35pts. ... 7 Both decisions were announced by the judge at the conclusion of the euphonium solo, and they were well received by the large audience present. In commenting on the eqphonium playing, Lieutenant Herd said that it had given him a great deal of pleasure and enjoyment to listen to at least three of the players./ It had, indeed, been, a labor of love to adjudicate upon the playing. The general arrangements were m the capable hands of Messrs E. R. B. Holben (sec. of the N. 1.8.13.. 8. 13. Association) and J. D. Hunter (supervisor and timekeeper), and reflected much credit upon the organising abilities of these officials. The accompanists during the evening were Mrs Hamlin, Miss Shearfby, Messrs Sidebottom, Russell, and Strong.