The N.Z Bands' Contest

Southland Times, Issue 18062, 4 February 1903, Page 2

The N.Z Bands' Contest

(Per United Press Association.)

MASTERTON, Feb. 3

The band contest was continued to-day in fine weather. A garden party as a welcome to the judge and visiting bandsmen was a great success and £150 was taken. Fourteen bands, massed, played

"Ex Ammo," under the baton of Mr M. Cohen, president of tho Association, with splendid effect.

Tho competitions decided this evening were the quartettes and trios Out of 17 entered for the quartettes, only six fared tho judge. The event was won by Wanganui Garrison with 97 points, Kaikorai 80 points, Wellington Garrison 08 points. Of the eleven wha entered for the trios seven competed. Denniston (92 points) was placed first ; Wellington Garrison 81, and North East Valley 66.

The annual meeting of the Association was held this evening. The report showed 29 bands affiliated, being an increase of five over last year. The receipts for the year were £108 and the expenditure £112 ; the balance in hand £33. Mr M. Cohen was re-elected president •. Mr F. J. Oakes secretary, and it was decided to pay him £30 per year. CnnsLlcrahic discussion took place as to wueia the next contest should be h*ld TiTo piacva proposed were Gisborne, Auckland and Pahnerston North, and it was neclned to hold the contest in 1904 at Pahnerston and in. 1905 at Auckland.

(Hy Telegraph.)

(From Our Special Correspondent.)

MASTERTON, Feb. 3

The members of the Southland Band are in very good form. They ure quartered in the most comfortable hcstelry in this township, which is more than can be said for some of the Jess fortunato visitors, who have to !ive picnic fashion in loftsi aiul less desirable places;. The contest authorities have, however, managed remarkably well in disposing of the great influx of bandsmen, considering the limited space at their disposnl. General opinion seems to associate the names of the Wellington Garrison and Southland Battalion bands as two who will fight out first honours. The Southlanders, from conversations 1

have had with them, seem r>''etty confident of their chances, and. if assiduous practice counts for anything, they should certainly show up very well. They have, been hard at work almost from fie time

they left home, practising the 'est piece and drilling for the quickstep daily. Some very good judges, including the general iecretary, who see the Battalion Band going through the quickstep, say there is nothing here to beat them. Of course this is saying a good deal witli such a collection of Mrst-class talent as is at present congregated in Maaterton, but many people who should know what good music is will be greatly surprised if Southland be not well up the list.

So far Southland has been represented by only one soloist, and ho has come ofT with a first prize. This wus Mr Chas. Hansen, who was swarded first lvon.ours in the moustre BB- llat bass competition. The following remarks upon his playing by the judge (Mr Ord Hume), who is, I may say, un extremely difficult musician, to please, will be read with interest ,: — "Andantino: broad and good in tone ; allegretto • just the very idea of bass-playing ; all the notes are played with equal value. A very good exhibition, tastefully rendered in every way. although I would prefer to hear this performer upon a more suitable test piece. Good lone and nicely expressed. One or two little it«>ms in phrasing and solving have Leen overlooked. However, the cadenza was very good indeed. A very creditable performance indeed. Fine tone and well tuned throughout the register. Marks 90. "' The taker of the second prize counl rot get nearer than 7X marks.

The veteran Sergt. Alex. Ferguson , although entered for the euphonium solo competition, was scratched at the last moment. Ilia lips got very sore as the result of a cold, and although anxious to face the judge, he yielded to the udvice of his beat friends, who felt he could not do hiinseUl justice If he entered with lips in that state. Judging from Mr Ord Hume's remarks on the other men, the veteran should have been able to secure first place had he been in fit condition to take part.

Mcßobie. whose name was down among the baritone soloists, was ulso scratch' cd. The band has been so continuously at work for the test pieces that McRobie has really had no time io devote to solo work, and rather than sacrifice the band he decided to Jet the baritone go. The competitors were not a strong lot.

Southland did not compete In quartettes. In trios Southland scored 40 points, the judge's note on their performance being as follows : — "Moderato : first trombone slurs from leading note to one at first of bar (bad) ; far too loud, too. Second trombone is fairly good. Bass trombone : good cadonza, very bad larghetto. Wrong reading in second bar (made crotchets instead of

quavers) : not good by bass trombone : second trombone enters fairly well ; first trombone is all right here. The stiingendo is neglected : rather rough playing in forte. This roughness is noted throughout. The trio not equally balanced in tone. Bass trombone is very noisy after last double bar. Much more attention should be given to concerted playing with equal intonation." The competitors were R. Jenkins, W. J. Brown, and J. McGregor. The marks secured ranged from 92 to 40.