The Kilties’ Band

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4379, 27 February 1909, Page 2

The Kilties’ Band

Long will the visit of the famous Kilties’ Band to Te Aroha be remembered by those'

privileged to listen to it. Those who visited the Recreation Ground in the afternoon and

the Public Hall at night, went expecting to hear something extra special in the music line, and they were not disappointed—no not one. From first to last the programme was faithfully gone through. The fore-running notices were not exaggerated in the least. Now that we have heard them we are satisfied that they are musicians in every sense of the word. Mr Albert Cook, the genial and accomplished conductor, is most obliging and anxious to please the people. Encores are complied with in a most liberal manner and cheerfully. There is no waste of time between the items. The performers are always quite ready for an extra call. They do not angle for encores, but, as soon as the call is found to represent the wish of the audience, they respond without any ado and without

the show of granting a grudged favour. The stage arrangements are also well thought out, 1 and the tone of the show, in short, is admirable. Everything is so done as to make ' for a good feeling as between the people and the performers, and each item seems to as thoroughly interest those who for the moment are occupying the stage as though they were presenting it for the first time. A more masterly example of stirring playing than that which was afforded in the ‘ International Patrol,’ given as an encore to the ‘ Tannhauser ’ overture, it would be impossible to wish for or imagine. This is, we helieve, a piece of American origin, to which Mr Cook has added a verse of ‘ The Maple Leaf” • (Canada’s national anthem) to be snng by the bandsmen. The piece was marvellously well played, rousing the hearers to enthusiasm, , and the fine effect produced by the five trombones as they eame to the front and gave the melody in ‘ The red, white and blue ’ will long ! linger in the memory as a warming and ex- | alting experience. The audience was also delighted with ‘ Gems of Scotland. ’ Heralded simply by a roll of the drum, the band presented a series of well known Scottish airs in beautiful style, the tunes being given quite simply and without any unnecessary overlaying of accompaniment or so-called adornment. It was great pleasure to hear the uncomplicated harmonies of ‘ Scots wha hae,’ I ‘ Auld Robin Gray,’ ‘The Campbell’s are Coining,’ ‘ John Hielandman,’ ‘John Anderson,’ 1 Logie o’ Buchan,’ and so forth, really sung by instruments. Other attractions on the programme were the neat dancing of the Johnson Troupe, in which the sword dance by Master Willie was a prominent item ; the masterly bagpiping of Pipe-major Albert Johnson ; and the part singing of the Kilties’ choir. Everything was encored. Everything was enjoyed. Before the programme started at the afternoon’s performance, the Mayor (R. L. Somers, Esq.), welcomed the members of the Band in a few well-chosen remarks. At the conclusion of the evening’s programme throe cheers were' given the Band by the crowded audience.