DIFFERENT AGAIN

Southland Times, Issue 22770, 21 December 1935, Page 5

DIFFERENT AGAIN

BATTALION BAND CONCERT. FIRST APPEARANCE OF BOYS’ BAND. Can boys, even before they reach their ’teens, be taught in eleven weeks to play band instruments with technical accuracy and sweet tone? The public will find an affirmative answer given to this question when in the Regent Theatre to-morrow evening the Battalion Band will give a concert with a new flavour" so far as this kind of entertainment is concerned. The boys’ band, consisting of about 30 boys whose ages range from 9 to 16, who in less than three months have been trained by Mr R. J. Simpson, will open the first part of the programme, playing four numbers—a march, “Wairoa,” the hymns “Abide With Me” and “The Church’s One Foundation” and a waltz “Dream Days.” Their playing will be a revelation and keen interest will attach to the performance of the diminutive drummer, Master Noel McDermaid. Mr E. Horman will close the first part of the programme playing his own compositions on the piano-accordion. The Battalion Band’s opening of the second part will be in keeping with the day and time of the year, creating an atmosphere filled with emotion. Its programme will be: “Cathedral Chimes,” “Fierce Raged The Tempest,” “Storm Scene” from “William Tell” and “Tlie Hallelujah Chorus.” All the numbers will depict a storm scene never before attempted by a brass band. “4ie atmosphere will be filled with thunder-clashes and lightning effects, and Mr V. C. Durant will have charge of the drums and chimes. Mr Simpson will then follow, playing his own arrangement of a trumpet solo, “My Lodging is on the cold ground.” Part two closes with a reserved number. Part three will be brilliantly opened by the band playing “America Today.” The music is full of vim and explosives aranged by the bandmaster. Mr E, Harvey will follow with a trombone solo, “Drinking,” which will include novel features. The next item will be the echo feature special, “A Mother’s Heart Is Calling,” and Mr E. Henderson will take the leading part. The band will then accompany little Doris Miller playing the cornet. This little girl has only had eight weeks’ tuition. “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” “It Happened in the Moonlight” and “Vilia from the Merry Widow” will be the band’s concluding numbers and special features will be introduced by Mr E. Horman (accordian), Mr E. Henderson (comet) and Messrs C. Lemin and R. McArthur (duet). This concert will open sharp at 8.15, featuring the full Military Reveille trumpeted by Mr J. R. Cowley and drummers. It will close with the Retreat.