BRASS BAND NOTES.

Southland Times, Issue 17003, 29 March 1912, Page 7

BRASS BAND NOTES.

(By “ Eupho.") In opening. this column for the benefit and interest of bands and bandsmen in Southland, I appeal to the secretaries of all the bands in the district to contribute items of news. The success and continuance of the column largely depends on the support received, and as there is nothing like the press for infusing enthusiasm into any sport or pastime, it is to be hoped the bands will look after their own interests by assisting to keep the column open and make it a success. Band notes will appear on Friday mornings, and contributions, addressed “ Eupho,” care Times Office, must be in not later than Wednesday. The Regimental Band played the Territorials to tho railway station on Tuesday evening, en route for Gore camp, where they remain till next Wednesday. The Dominion Band have been without a conductor fey- some weeks, Mr Slddall having severed his connection with them. Arrangements have now been made with Mr A. R. Wills, conductor of the Hibernian Band, to take charge until a permanent appointment is made. The band will now be able to complete its municipal engagement. The Hibernian Band held a very successful social last Tuesday evening. I understand this is the first of a series they intend holding drurlng- the winter months. The Dunedin Contest Committee are making a move with arrangements for their big fixture in October, which promises to be a much larger affair than their 1310 contest, when only six bands competed. Lieut. Bently, of Sydney, who has been appointed judge, adjudicated nt the big contest held in Christchurch during the Exhibition in 1907, when 29 bands competed, all in one grade. There will be two grades in Dunedin, so that any of our district bands should be capable of having a try. I hear that the Mataura Band has decided to go. Well, good luck to them. There is nothing like contesting for making a band efficient. .. It is rumoured that the three Invercargill bands will be among the competitors. If so, local excitement will be pretty high during contest week. All the solos., trios, and quaratttes will be test music this time, and so It should be. Own choice music is not a success for contests. It must be much easier and more satisfactory to the judge when all the performers are playing the same music. Mr John Gladney, the father of brass bands in England, died recently at the age of 72. He was conductor of the famous Meltham Mills Band frorii 1872 till the time of his death. He was also professional conductor of numerous other bands. Mr W. Rlmmer, one of t£e leading conductors in England at present, In writing to a Home band journal, says : “ Dear Mr Editor, The ’ gfand old man ’ of the brass band world has gone, and we mourn his loss. He was indeed a great conductor, and achieved wonderful results,; earning the respect and admiration of all true musicians. In my younger days 1 played under his conductorshlp frequently, and although a little estrangement came between us later op, he was kindness itself In recent years, and did all he possibly could to help me. The record of his deeds will long live in our memories, and his name be revered In every place where brass bands are represented.” Up to 1904 Mr Gladney had conducted 110 bands at Belle Vue contest, and won , sixty-nine prizes', nineteen firsts, nineteen seconds, eight thirds, eight fourths, seven fifths, and eight sixths. He was the only conductor who has ever won first at Belle Vue three times In succession, and lie did this twice. Quickstep contests at Home in the Old Country are almost unknown, with a result that when bands have to play on the march they make a very poolshowing. An Australian who -went Home to .the Coronation sent the following to the Band News : —I should like to say that I went Home for the Coronation, and hoard and saw many bands, and although some played well, none looked well. I saw seventeen bands in one procession, and not a single member in the whole lot seemed to know what to do .with his legs. After all I have read of the hands of the Old Country it was a great disappointment. I can hear better march playing here, and, so far as marching goes, the English bands are tho greatest duffers I have ever struck. They ■were a positive eyesore. In regard to' the above, there is no doubt that quickstep contests in New Zealand and Australia have improved the colonial bands' marching, and I don't think it would be possible to see finer marching than was seen at the recent Christchurch contest. Not one of the twelve bands did a poor performance, while the marching of tho four prize-winners was a treat to witness. Eighteen bands faced the judge at Waverley Market recently to fight for the championship of Scotland. Tbe test piece was W. Short’s arrangement of Liszt, the same, by the way, that was played at Christchurch. The result was : Clydebank first, Kelty and Blairadam second, Glasgow Co-opera-tive third, Broxburn fourth. They, Say That— Local interest in the coming contest will he very keen. Nothing less than an earthquake would wake some bandsmen from their lethargy. The three local bands have very large membership rolls at present. Some bandsmen would be more useful to their bands if they icmyined ” tacit ” than they are by playing. There Is not much hope for tho bandsman who is too lazy to practice at home. Musical education is the highest form of investment. Bandsman Bartlett gives promise of developing into a good cornetnt. Bandsman Ear.smun is improving as a soloist. The Dominion Bund has a now trombone player from Potone Municipal Band, The power of imagination is very strong in some bandsmen. They can imagine almost anything except 'that their band has been beaten by another band. Percy Code. Australian champion cornelist, who wont Horne with Besses, has returned to Australia. We had better have a few bars rest till next week.