THE TIMARU BAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3108, 19 March 1883, Page 2

THE TIMARU BAND.

On Saturday last the Artillery Band favored Mr T. O’Driscoll with a series of selections, a crowd assembling to hear the performance. “ The Irish Bouquet ” (quadrille), serving as it did to introduce most of the favorite Irish airs, seemed to give satisfaction. Among others the principal selections played were “ In Memoriam ” (overture) ; “LaFavourita ” (opera), concluding with the National Anthem. • The Band will proceed at the latter end of this week to Invercargill, under tho able leadership of Mr Rowles, for the purpose of taking part in tho Review, which takes place in that district. Wc think tho home band has no slight task before them, and that all available time should be taken advantage of in preparation. “ Judas Maccabeus ” has been selected for the occasion, the music for which only arrived from England on Monday last. The first practice took place on Thursday, Yesterday afternoon the familiar music of this grandly martial oratorio proceeding from the drill-shed, excited general speculation. The stylo in which some of the features of this work were executed argued well for the success of the Band at Invercargill. Among these may be mentioned the bass recitative, “ 1 feel tho Diety within ” ; “ Arm, Arm, ye Bravo ” (bass solo) ; “ Why are men flattering ” (treble solo) ; *• 0 Lovely Peace ”

(fluei) ; and the choruses, “See the Conquering Hero Cornea ” ; “0 Futlier wh<<se Almighty Power”; “ We never will bow down ” ; and the “ Allelulia." The grand music was listened t) with pleasure by many. The short lime at the disposal of the Band necessitated their taking advantage of Sunday afternoon for this purpose. This is an innovation, so far asTimaru is concerned, but is by no means uncommon at Horne, the Albert Hall, at Kensington, during the summer months being utilised for the gratuitous production of sacred oratorio (instrumental). We admire the plucky ambition of our Band in undertaking this difficult task at so short a notice, and upon their arrival at Invercargill we wish them success. It is the intention of Mr Bowles to keep his men at work every night this week, and be will endeavor to procure a suitable place for that purpose.