BANDSMEN'S COLUMN.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 698, 6 May 1916, Page 3

BANDSMEN'S COLUMN.

(By "MAESTRO.") Little comment was made on the musical part of the Coronation ceremony which concluded the Queen Election, yet the event would have lost much of its effect without the music, and therefore it demands! some attention. At least three different musical bodies were represented, and each had its special! part to perform; they were the Musi-! cal Society, which formed the chorus ' of voices, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, which assisted the choir and also performed the processional march, and the Lyttelton Marine Band, which played various! items before the commencement of the ceremony and also played a j march for the soldiers as they parad-i ed on the stage. This particular march was very appropriate, as it contained a number of national airs. The band did its part very well on the whole, but one thing which had a bad effect,' and somewhat spoiled that part of] the display, was the alteration of the tempo in playing the Russian Hymn, j The altered time threw the soldiers out of step, and the error was repeated each time this hymn was played. This was disconcerting to the men as they were marching and counter-marching, as it was absolutely necessary that strict tempo should be kept. When this ceremony was repeated on Monday night the band gave the correct time when it first played the hymn, but in each successive playing the time was slow. The conductor, however, was trying his best to keep the band up to time, but the bandsmen did not follow his beat. Considering the size of the chorus and orchestra and the vast amount of work they had to do everything went off very well, especially when it is considered that the whole combination had but one full rehearsal. The Sullivan Benefit. To-morrow afternoon the various bands taking part in the Sullivan benefit will meet at the different points as notified in this column last week. They will march towards Cathedral Square, reaching there not later than 2.45 p.m., thence to the Domain, where - a concert will be held and a collection, will be taken at the gates. In the evening another concert will be given in the Colosseum in aid of the same cause. The Lyttelton Band will open this concert with a selection, and in addition a cornet solo by Mr Sullivan, with hand accompaniment, will be given. The Woolston Band and the Tramways Band will each contribute a brass quartet. Other instrumental and vocal items will be given, and the public may be assured of a good programme. Brass Bands' Association. The annual meeting of the South Island Brass Bands' Association was held on Thursday night last, when there were present:—Dr Thacker (president), Captain McGee, T. F. Hall, 11. Sweeney, W. Newton, L. Smith, Mr Larcombe, and delegates from the different bands. Dr Thacker was re-elected president, and an executive committee was elected consisting of Captain McGee, Lieut. Samson, Messrs H. Burson, J. McCullough, W. Newton, H. Sweeney, W. Oliver, and G. Wells. It was decided to amalgamate the office of secretary and treasurer and Mr T. F. Hall was unanimously appointed to the position. Mr W. H. Cheesman was appointed hon. auditor. The following were elected and added to the list of vice-presidents:— G. Armstrong (Mayor of Akaroa), James Coop, Little River, R. Gal braith (Mayor of Ashburton), and Mr C. W. Hervey. The credit balance in the bank is £l6 4/1, which, considering the state of affairs amongst the bands in New Zealand, is very good. News and Notes. The C.Y.C. Band has lost another member through enlistment. This time it is one of the bass players. F. Landery, the second baritone player of the Woolston Band, will be going into hospital soon to have a slight defect remedied before proceeding to camp. The Ashburton Band has been doing excellent work of late for various patriotic causes. It played the major part of the musical programme in connection with the Ashburton celebration of Anzac Day, besides heading the procession of Soldiers, cadets, and citizens through the town. Another valued member of this band, Mr C. Toney, the B flat bass, has enlisted, and is now in Trentham camp. The conductor, Mr Dennis, still has room for cornet players in his band. Mr G. Jenner has resigned the position as secretary of the South Island Brass Bands' Association. Mr T. F. Hall is acting secretary till the annual meeting, which takes place this week. The Wanganui Band gave the first of its winter recitals last Sunday before a vrry large audience. Band delegates are requested to meet at the C.D.C. rooms to-night to discuss and arrange to-morrow's programme for the Sullivan Benefit.