Band Contest

Southland Times, Issue 18063, 5 February 1903, Page 2

Band Contest

United Press Association

WELLINGTON, Feb. 4

Following are the result of ihe solo contests this forenoon :.— B flat tuss solo : C. Gallop (Woolston), l>o points ; 11. lTolben /Palmerston), 58 ; F. Albrecht (Ruahine).. 54; 11. Wellington (Masterton), 50.

Flugel horn solo :> J. Flea (Kaikoria). 94 points ; Drury (Wellington), Sii ; E. Gold (Wanganui), 78; J. Morrison (Waihi), 05; W. Cooper ('Denniston), iX* , A. Robins (Masterton), v.

This afternoon the E flat cornet solo competition took place. There were 15 entries, but only seven faced ihe judge. The winner was A. Schnack (Kaikorai), with 97 points ; J. McGrath (Southland), being second with 96 points, and McAra (N.E. Y^Hey) 90 points, tliird. The judge spoke very highly of the playing, nnd said all the competitors were worthy of a place in any band. The total number of marks he awarded in this competition was the highest ho had ever awarded in a similar competition.

This evening 15 bands took part in the first of the two test selections—

"Le Domino Noir." The results 'vill be announced when the two pieces and the quickstep competition are concluded on Friday night. It is considered that the championship rests between Wanganui, Wellington, North-East Valley, Kaikorai, and Denniston.

(From Our Special Correspondent.)

MASTERTON. Feb. 4

"I must congratulate this young player, and I must also congratulate the band which possesses his pervic.s." This was tho comment of Mr Ord Hume when ho was explaining to a J.arge audience what he thought of the performance of J. McGrath, of tho Southland Battalion Band, in the E flat cornet ?010 competition. McGrath was the first player to face the critical judge, and he certainly set a very high standard for those who followed him. It was rather disappointing that after his fine exhibition he should just lose first place by <.ne point. However, you may be sure that his comrades were highly delighted at hfs sucress in such splendid company, and he was the recipient of many congratulations when the marks were announced.

Following js Mr Ord Hume's note on McGrath's playing :— "Recitative alia cadenza. A confident player, sure and neat. A splendid opening oi.dante. Still playing with all confidence. Testeful and very fine Indeed for a soprano. Capitally rendered recitative : uicely given allegretto ; artistic in every phrase. Certainly a splendid example to set the soloists who have to follow. Most pleasing variations ; a most excellently played movement. Grace notes are missed on top of page 3, but all the other is of the very bestsplendidly played. The andante expression is brought out in every way us well as can bo desired from the most severe critic. An artist on this small instrument. A splendid performance, and as safe as a rock from oeginntng to end. I congratulate this excellent voprano soloist." Tho tost piece was 'loch's "Edelwciz von Sonunering." lt may interest your readers to know that at the conclusion of each competition the judge who has a ready tongue us well as a facile pen, conies out on the platform and reads his notes to the audience, with humorous quotations thrown in. Referring to this contest, he told the audience that the marks in that competition were lhe highest he had ever given, and it was a pity there were not more prizes on that occasion. Those that had not obtained prizes were worthy of a respectable place in any band. There was usually at least one bad failure ln such competitions, but It had rot been so in this case. The judge's praise was warmly appreciated. Schnack, the winner, was born in Dunedin, but received his musical training in the Oamaru Garrison Band, of which he was a. member until after last year's contest, when he joined Kaikorai. He is not now to solo competitions, having won a number of prizes at various contests. He <\on the soprano solo at the exhibition at Christchurch last year, and took a first prize at the South Island Band contest at the Bluff in 1901. He was also a winner at. the contest at New Plymouth.

This evening 15 bands went through the first test piece, and did not conclude until nearly midnight. The Southland Battalion was No. 12 on the stage", and thoy gave a very nii*o rendering of **Le Domino Noir," which met with much appreciation from the large audience. Public opinion associates the names of Wellington, Wanganui, and Southland as being in the front rank after to-night's performance, Lut the chances of Denniston and Kaikorai must not bo ignored. Bandmasters whom 1 have spoken to say that Mr Hume's placing will be a surprise to all the bands. They say they don't know exactly what he wants. He talks a lot about "fU|ll tone," and yet in his comments upon some of the Australian contests he has referred to the fact that bands apparently forgot thoy were in hall and not out in the open. The consequence of his advise here , to "keep the instruments full of wind" is that many bands are playing in a manner which they have never attempted I ofore ; that is to sny, very heavily. The finer points of expression have been ignored, or at any rate subordinated to heaviness of tone, and the effect in a crowded hall was at times somewhat oppressing. We will not know the result of' to-night's performance till tho other tests are finished on Friday night.