MUSIC AND BANDS

Southland Times, Issue 17655, 12 February 1916, Page 8

MUSIC AND BANDS

Notes by ‘‘Eupho.’ 4 Tne Regimental Band gave their third Municipal concert on the rctunda last Saturday evening, when a light but popular programme was capably rendered. The band also assisted at the send-off to the Thirteenth Reinforcements in the Theatre on AVednesday evening and also at the station on Thursday morning first express. The action of the members in turning out so early to those send-offs is worthy of commendation. The Hibernian Band gave a concert in Rugby rkrk last Sunday evening, when the public wore treated to a good programme, and they signified their appreciation by loudly applauding the hand’s efforts, particularly the selection “Sonnambula” and the cornet solo “Australis.” Many complaints were heard iu regard to the want of a suitable rotunda for the hand to play from and the absence of proper lighting arrangements, one gentleman informed me that he nearly broke his neck getting out of the grounds, for the want of a little illumination. Several of the district bands are again showing signs of life. Winton, harn. Bluff and Nightcaps are again live institutions. It will interest New Zealand bandsmen to loam that Mr AV. Fenton, the veteran 88-flat bass player of the AVoolston Band, has throe sons on duty against the common enemy. Two of the sons are serving with British regiments in Flanders and Prance and the third is in a dominion training camp. Five nephews of Mr Fenton are also serving with the Home forces. A fine record this. We woul«S (ike to impress on bandmasters that much good music is lost to brass bands because players are not well grounded in rhythms, and arrangers know It (remarks the Brass Band News). Consequently, they give a wide berth to much good music because its rhythmic structure would be difficult to the players. Not that it is really difficult; the difficulty does not lay in the music, hut with the uninitiated player. If the brass band is to extend its musical territory, more attenton must be given to instruction iu rhythms. Rhythm is so essential a part and characterises music so much that arrangers cannot alter it to fit it in with the only few rhythms some players can read; consequently they have to pass by many fine pieces which would be a pleasure for them to arrange for brass bands. There is much to learn in this direction, and band-masters who have blackboards could spend a few profitable quarterhours, now and again, in writing out rhythmic figures which are unfamiliar to the players, and which make some call on their powers to analyse musical measures.

The Hibernian Band was the recipient of a pretty compliment, paid to them by a northern bandmaster after one of their recent concerts, at which ’‘Raymond’’ overture and “Faust” selection were included. The gentleman referred to met several of the members after the conert and complimented them on their playing, and said, “although he had travelled all the way from Auckland and heard all the .loading bands, this was the finest performance ho had heard,” and remarked; “We only expect to hear playing like this at contest time.”

Air Roland Foster, who came to Australia with Madame Clara Butt and Mr Kennerley Rum ford on their last tour, and has since become well known as a vocal teacher in Sydney, has been appointed professor of singing at the New South AVales State Conservatorium of Music. Sydney’, under the directorship of Mr Henri Vcrbrugghen.

The "Western Hally Press recalls the fact that the Wedding March from Mendelssohn's “.Midsummer Night’s Dream" music was first used at a wedding in 1 847. One of the letters of the late Samuel Tteay, of Newark, says;—"At the foot of an organ arrangement I made of the March from a pianofore duet copy of the ‘‘.Midsummer Night's Dream" music, just then published by Messrs Ewer ami Co., and within a day or two of the date mentioned, is the following record; Arranged for the organ by Samuel Re.ay, and played for the first time on such an occasion at the marriage of Mr Tom Daniel and Miss Dorothy Carew, at St. Peter's Church, Tiverton, June 2, 1847.”

Tt is carious how the taste of the average soldier runs, when it comes to the music which is to supply him inspiration hy which to fight and, perhaps, die. In the Spanish-Amerktan war none of the more or less stately "national hymns" were in vogue. Instead, that rollicking bit of "rug” "There’ll be a Hot Time in the Old Town To-night," furnished the "pepper” for most of the tights of consequence. Tn the licit ish-Roer war they used tn Irrim, while ramming down cannon ball, "Here’s Another Hump of Sugar for tiic Bird,” nr "A Idttle Rit Off the Top.” It is said that in the far eastern war the Russians did some of their best lighting to the tunes of a nondescript ballad, the substance of which was a constant reiteration of "Ivan’s in the Garden Picking Cabbages." What the. Japs chose wo dii not know, but we may well imagine that when they went into battle it was to the lilt of some saucy tune rather than a dignified national “anthem.” The "Tipperary” of the present war is, of course, familiar to everyone. --Atlanta Constitution. Tin-; svnxKV con.skuvatoi rr. K’ very musical person in New Rea land will be ini crested to see the lollowing appointments to the first Government Conservatoire of Music established in this part of the world. Of the mimes included several are well known in New Zealand. Mr Alfred Hill is Wellingtonhorn and bred. Mr Frank Hutchens hails from llawera, and Mr Orchard was at Palmerston North before he, left for Sydney. Mr William Holman, professor of elocution, is the father of the Premie’.' of New South Wales. The list Is as follows; — Hist A, —Madame l.ily Slapoffski, Professor of Singing; Mr Roland Foster, Professor of Singing; M. Albert Gnns-

sens. Professor of Singing: Mr Nelson Illingworth, Professor of Singing; Mr Stephen J. Mavrogordato, Professor of Singing: Mr J. Philip Wilson, Professor of Singing; Madame Yvonne Charvin, Professor of Pianoforte; Miss Jane Lewis, Professor of Pianoforte; Mr .1. Carlton Fay, Professor of Pianoforte; Mr Frank Hutchens, Professor of Pianoforte; Mr Henry Penn, Professor of Pianoforte: Mr W. .1. Coad, Professor of Violin: Mr Cyril Monk, Professor of Violin: Mr Hr yen Carter, Professor of ’Cello: Miss Rose Heaton, Professor of Diction; Mr.William Holman, senr., Professor of elocution; Miss Jenny Cullen, Professor of Violin; Mr David E. Nichols, Professor of Violin; Mr James Messens, Professor of ’Cello.

Hist H.—Mr Walter Brown, Professor of Double Bass; Miss Winifred Carter, Professor of the Harp; Mr J. Brinkman, Professor of Oboe and Cor. Anglais; Mr A. W. Arlom, Professor of Flute and Piccalo; Mr F. Eabicci, Professor of Clarinet; Mr C. A. Wood, Professor of Bassoon; Mr G. Gervasoni, Professor of Horn: Mr C. F. Bowles, Professor of Trumpet and Cornet; Mr D. W. Caten, Professor of Trombone; Mr A. Ward, Professor of Tuba; Mr C. S. Palmer, Professor of Percussion Instruments.

List C. —Mr W. Arlom, Assistant Professor of Flute and Piccalo; Mr D. Hughes, Assistant Professor of Oboe ; Mr F. Haines, Assistant Professor of Clarinet; Mr L. Hchiava, Assistant Professor of Bassoon: Mr A. Caletti, Assistant Professor of Horn; Mr Jerome Pheloung. Assistant,. Professor of Trumpet and Cornet: Mr Bennett Smith, Assistant Professor of Double B-ass.

List D.— Miss Lottie Dearn, Assistant Professor for Preparatory Pianoforte ; Miss Iris do Cairos-Rego, Assistant Professor for Preparatory Pianoforte. List K—Mr Joseph Bradley, Professor of the Theory of Miisic; Mr W. Arundel Orchard, Conductor of Ensemble Hinging Class and Lecturer on the History of Music, ami Musical Literature. Lust F. —Mrs Margaret Bristow, Professor of Elementary Theory; Mr Alfred Hill, Professor of Harmony, Counterpoint, Composition, etc.