BANDSMEN'S COLUMN

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 187, 12 September 1914, Page 5

BANDSMEN'S COLUMN

(By "MAESTRO.")

The smoke concert held at the King Edward Barracks last Saturday night was a success. The Woolston Band was again in evidence, and played no less than four different items on the programme. It seems rather remarkable that on such an occasion, where it was whoHy a matter of. military interest, that a private band should be engaged to supply the music, when there are at V;ast two military bands in this city, and both of them in playing form. It speaks well for the band in question that they should be asked by those in authority to do duty, in preference to those bands who should have performed on this occasion. There is one thing certain—that is, the Woolston Band was •engaged on its merits. A pleasing feature of the evening was the playing of a couple o " marches by the , Expeditionary Force Band, under Bandmaster W. H. OsbOTne. There are some very good" coraettists in the band, which, by the way, is the best part of tiiis combination. The two items played were Tendered very creditably, considering the band has had very little practice. I ■understand the majority of the instruments were supplied at a very cheap rate by the Lyttelton Marines Band. No doubt the men will have a chance to improve in their playing before they reach the other side, and the Force will be kept cheerful with the strains of music, and pass many a pleasant hour on their voyage out. There is nothing like music to break the monotony of a ride on the water.

Last Sunday the Oamaru Regimental Band gave a programme of music in the Public Gardens. The Gardens are always very attractive, but on this occasion it was doubly so, and the huge crowd of people gathered there was not slow in showing its appreciation of the efforts of the band, which was, ably led by Sergeant Dale (in the absence of the conductor). A collection was taken up, resulting in the sum of £9 10/- being handed over to the Patriotic Fund. The band deserves praise for its generous aid towards adding to the amount Of the fund.

There are signs of progress in the ranks of the Federated Musicians' Union.of Australia. In Hobart alone there are about 80 musicians of all ranks who have enrolled under the banner of Secretary Ward. The head office is in Sydney, New South Wales. Orchestral music is booming in Hobart, and bands generally are looking up, and are kept fairly busy.

Sumner Band has had its ranks depleted since the war began, many of the members having volunteered for service. But they are undaunted, and are trying their best to keep the remainder together, and to fill up the vacant places. They still continue the weekly rehearsals. The Woo'.ston Baud made a small but serviceable presentation last Saturday

to Mr G. Williams, their second trombone player, who is now in camp with the Expeditionary Force. The articles presented will be something more than mementoes —they will be of more than ordinary use when the recipient is absent from home. The bandsmen all wish him God speed and a safe return. Mr Fred Fox, the cornettist, who has been away in Australia, has now returned to the Dominion, and is in Christchurch. I have to thank Mr A. Wade for sending me a programme o? the famous Wanganui Band's last recital, given on the 6th inst. This was a brilliant success, and the various items were rendered in such a way that the large audience did not hesitate in the least in showing its appreciation. The following is the programme:—Hymn, '' Solomon'' (Handel) ; overture, '' Taneredi'' (Eossini); baritone solo, '' Land of Hope and Glory" (Elgar), soloist Mr G. Jensen; vocal duet, "I Heard a "Voice in the Tranquil Night" (Glover), vocalists, Mrs Taft and Mr T. Slipper; nautical fantasia, "Hearts of Oak" (Douglas); grand selection, "Preciosa" (Weber); "Song of Thanksgiving" (Albitson), vocalist, Mr E. Bell; "Patriotic Overture, 1911" (J. Ord Hume); chorus, "Hallelujah" (Handel); and the National Anthem., The above certainly is a credit to Mr Wade, the conductor Every piece is most appropriate, and to be able to perform such a number of difficult pieces of high-class music .speaks volumes for the ability of the band and its conductor. TO A COEEESPONDENT.

"Bandsman," Christchurch: —Ee Mr A. Owen.—No, he is undoubtedly one of the best band teachers of the day, and prior to Mr W. Rimmer and Mr Halliwell coming to the front as star teachers, he was considered one of the great trio, viz., the late Mr John Gladney, the late Mr Edwin Swift, and Mr Owen. These three gentlemen were recognised in England as the first three great brass band teachers in England, and in the order named. A short account was given in the Bandsmen's Column of THE SUN in last Saturday's issue of the first-named gentleman. Mr Rimmer sprang into fame when he won the championship of the United Kingdom with the famous Irwell Springs Band, at the Crystal Palace, and this band has won twice since, while the Wingates Temperance Band also won it twice under his baton. Mr Rimmer does not professionally coach brass bands now. Some few years back he was offered a good position with the Southport Municipal Band, which he accepted, and the brass bands were then deprived of his valuable services, but he is still doing his share in other ways for the benefit of the bands. He is musical supervisor to the "Champion Journal," and composes a large quantity of good music, and arranges and scores the music for that particular organ.