BANDSMEN'S COLUMN

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 97, 30 May 1914, Page 5

BANDSMEN'S COLUMN

'■ BAND CONTEST. Everv member of our local bauds in and^ar^und:Ch ; rMcllUTch ; every supporter' of those both directly and indirectly interested m the brass band movement, should make a point of being at the Council Chambers on-Juno'4. His Worship the Mayor (Mr H. Holland) will preside over a ~ public meeting which has beeoi fixed as above-' stated to discuss matters in connection with the approaching contest. The place and date .must be at once decided upon, a judge must be appointed, and music chosen; and various other matters incidental to the whole affair must be dealt -with at once.. It behoves every interested person to be there so that ho further time may be lost in dealing with this important subject.

STRAY NOTES. , Mr J. W. Beswick, of Manchester, England, lias been specially engaged by the authorities in Australia to act as adjudicator at the BalJarat contest to be' held there this year. .It would be most desirable to see this gentleman acting as judge here. Mr Beswick is a verv fine brass band judge. He has officiated at the very best and largest band contests in England, is extremely popular, and one whose decision is seldom queried. He has acted as adjudicator for several years. The band that can give an ideal performance in the true brass band style will get a good hearing from him. He knows as well as any man the attributes of a first-class band, and to secure his services on this occasion would be the best thing that could happen. I hope some effort will be made to get him before it is too late. The C.Y.C. Band, is not often heard of now, but they were on duty last Sunday at a parade. I was not favourably impressed by the playing. It was a little untuneful, and lacked body and spirit. Perhaps the long rest from public engagements has in a sense something to do with this. There are signs of progress in the Addington Band, and things seem to be going on well, but official information is, hard to get. Why do you not send us along some news of your band, Mr Secretary 1 ? "s?our band cannot be too well known, and the best wav is to see that it is well represented in THE SUN Band Column. The same can be said of one or two other bands in and around Christchurch. Woolston Band held their animal meeting on Tuesday last, the 26th. So far I have no report.

DERBY'S PRIVATE BAND. The second annual smoke concert of Berry's Band was held at the band \ room in Armagh Street on the 21st inst. I-ani indebted to the energetic and genial secretary," Mr A. E. Bristowe, for the following report and details of the evening's entertainment: Orchestral item, Sailor's chorus from Wagner's ''Flying Dutchman"; toast, "The King, "proposed by Mr J. Colton, the band's president; vocal solo, "The Wreck,"' Mr L. Croft; serio comic, / "Ching, Ching, Ching," Mr C. Oakes; violin solo, Mr Cullen; toast, "Kindred Bands," Mr H. Savage; song, "Maid of Athens," (encore "Thora") MiEdwards; guitar duet, Mr C. Kenna and Professor Thomas; response to toast of kindred bands, Messrs Norman, G. Williams and T. Tankard; song, " When the Ebb Tide Plows," Mr D. Burns; vocal solo "Mv Sweetest Cherry," (encore "Melinda's Wedding Day") Mr C. Kenna; ventriloquist and musical act, "Professor" Thomas; song "My Old Shakoo" (encore "Ringers"), Mr Bert Cooper; imitation of Hon. W. F. Massey's address to his constituents (encore "Minister's address to his parishioners") Mr Shanner; mouth organ solo, Mr liobson; patter item, Messrs Bell and Miller; toast, "The Visitors," Mr A. Bristowe. Messrs O. Liddiard and "W. Mansel responded, duel. " Kxcel-

(By v " MAESTRO.")

sior,'' (encore '' Larboard "Watch'') Messrs Cooper and Edwards. A presentation was made to the exchairman of the band.(Mr W. Eowe) by the present-chairman. In making the presentation Mr Colton referred to the long and valuable work Mr Rowe had accomplished for the band, both as bandsman and officer, and expressed regretr'.at Mr Rowe finding it necessary to resign his positioli as chairman. Mr Rowe, in accepting the memento, referred to his many years of band work, and considered that the younger blood should come forward and carry on the work on progressive He felt that a rest was well earned. In conclusion he said he would still take an interest in the welfare of the band and thanked them for the beautiful present.

, Other items were as follow: —Orchestra "Polonaise" (Chopin); toast, "The Press,'' with musical honours. Mr F. Woledge and Mr W. Mansel responded. Stump speech, Mr A. Norman; illusion act,," Professor'' Thomas; violin solo Mr Colgin; musical monologue "The Watchman's Story," Mr J. Greenwood; piccolo: solo, "Love's Serenade" (encore "Carnival di Venice") Mr A. Hutton; recitation, "Kissing Cups Race," Mr R. Burns; ragtime song, Mr Bell; song with guitar accompaniment, Mr C. Kenna; farce: Messrs Kenna, B. Willyiams and "Professor" Thomas. Accompanists were as follow: —Messrs Bert-Willyiams, R. Kirk, J. Greenwood, and F. Woledge. The band had bought a few new instruments during the year, namely, a piano, two tenor cornets, tubular bells, and gloekenspeel on order. The band's annual meeting is fixed for Monday, July 6. • ; Mr A. E. Bristowe, the present secretaiy, who has so ably filled the position of hon. secretary and treasurer, informs me that he will not seek re-elec-tion this year. -THE NEXT TEST SELECTIONS. Various questions are being asked as to what they will be like and from what firm will they be ordered. It is only four or five months before the event takes place, and then it will take at least three months to get them out. This will only leave about one month for rehearsals and that will not be sufficient time to work the numbers up. No one seems to be able to solve the problem of the music and what it will be, but let me add here that as soon as everything else is definitely settled, the music will receive prompt attention by those who are in authority. It is patent to all that the music cannot be ordered until a place and date are decided upou. If rumour is correct there is no doubt that the test pieces will be all that the best bands could wish for, and something that will test the skill of the best in the Dominion.