THE REGIMENTAL BAND

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18190, 11 September 1933, Page 3

THE REGIMENTAL BAND

TRAINING FOR CONTEST LAST NIGHT’S CONCERT Much improvement has been noted in the W.E.C.M.R. Regimental Band since it began working seriously in expectation of going to the band contest at Palmerston North in February. This was realised by the large audience at the. Majestic Theatre last night, when a concert was held by the band in *an effort to augment its contest fund. In last night’s concert, the band, under the baton of Lieut. A. Wood, Has assisted by well known talent of the town, and’ the programme was of such merit and the encores were so numerous that the concert was unusually late in finishing, and even then some of the items set down for the evening could not be staged. Musicians could detect weaknesses in certain points of the band, but it was agreed that there had been a distinct improvement recently, this being mainly noted in the quality of tone.

The attitude of the band was explained during the evening by Captain S. Bongard, who spoke on behalf of the regiment and also on the part of the band in thanking the performers for their valuable assistance and the public for their patronage. The bandsmen, in deciding to go to the contest, did so mainly to gain experience, but alter hearing their excellent performance that night Captain Bongard firmly believed that the band would return with something more than experience. After the concert, the bandsmen gathered to make presentations to Miss Reid Norton for her assistance in playing the accompaniments at the various concerts, and Mrs. Phil Barry for her valuable efforts on the organisation side. Another presentation was made in the morning when the band assembled tor a preliminary practice, Mr. Bishop, the caretaker of the band room, being asked to accept a pipe as a token of the bandsmen’s appreciation of ttie assistance he. was always so willing to give.

Misses Reid Norton and I. Lette and Mr. W. Kohn played the accompaniments for the artists on last night’s programme, which was as follows : —Hymn, “Deep Harmony”; selection, “William Tell”; song, “Love’s a Merchant,” Mrs. Dunne; duet, “Day is Done, Air. S. Lette and Miss I. Lette; selection, “Dnv in Coonland”; song, “Danny Boy'” Master W. Dunsmore; humorous recitation, “Cinderella,” Miss Stella Bradfield; song, “Tankerton Inn,” Mr. Stan. Vincent; violin solo, “Allegro and Fassionata,” Master Barnes; song Alisa Dorothy Sharpe; song, “Good-night,” Mr. S." Vincent ; instrumental duet. Air. K. Rosie (saxophone) and Sergeant .1. Davis (cornet) \.ith Miss Davis accompanist; ventriloquial item, Air. J. Blair ; bagpipe solo (with band), Mr J. Purvis; musical monologue. “Playmates,” Miss Sheila Munro.