THE BAND CONTEST

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3826, 28 October 1936, Page 5

THE BAND CONTEST

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP AT WHANGAREI. TE AWAMUTU BAND SUCCESSFUL (Contributed.) Friday, October 23rd. Te Awamutu railway station is certainly a scene of activity to-night. Why? The Te Awamutu Municipal Band is about to embark for Whangarei, tile locale of the 1936 provincial brass bands’ contest. At 7.35 we commence our journey, faces set and stern, minds with but one thought: We must do cur best to win the C grade championship. One cannot help noticing the absence of that jovial air usually associated with a party c.i men folk leaving for a contest. So we commence our journey to Nirthl iml. arriving at Auckland shortly before midnight, still that appearance of determination and business intent predominates. Our carriage is shunted on to the Whangarei special, a train totalling sixteen carriages, drawn by two engines. The city bands embark here. Saturday.—Shortly after midnight we commence the second —and last—stage of‘the northward journey. Two o’clock sees many weary heads; but sleep will not claim many, for there is too much tense excitement. Four Te Awamutu bandsmen are playing cards; but they do not seem very interested in the game—no, it is just a means of passing the time. Their innermost thoughts are obviously and definitely on what the morrow will bring forth. One cannot help noting how keyed-up the men are; they certainly have their minds on their mission. Four a.m. and still that uncanny quietness; yet only two of the men are really asleep. Six o'clock, and our destination is sighted. Excitement is intense, though almost inaudible. Still that air ot determination persists; but there is a sugges- ' tion of wonderment, too. Where are we going for breakfast? Where do we stay? What time do we commence the contest? These are the most frequent questions at the moment. Six-ten a.m. finds us awaiting instruction on the station platform at Whangarei. Seven a.m. and breakfast —boiled eggs, scones, sandwiches, tea and coffee —is served outside the > railway refreshment rooms. Breakfast over, and we form band and march off to the Settlers’ Hotel—our quarters being bunks arranged in the sample rooms attached to the hotel. But several members go to private billets. Instructions are to parade at the Town Hall for a civic welcome at 9 o’clock. The visiting bands are welcomed to Whangarei by his Worship the Mayor. Having had luncheon, at 1.30 we march through the streets to Kensington Park. The bandsmen say it seems like a five mile march, but actually the distance is only two miles. Ours is the only band to play during the street march, and the residents are certainly giving us a great hand of welcome. This cheers up the Te Awamutu boys considerably, but the ordeal of an all-night journey, with no sleep, and that two mile march, is beginning to tell on the bandsmen. Fortunately our drum major has drawn fourth -place in the quickstep competition, thus giving us a spell of half an hour or so. The first to participate is the Balmoral Boys Band; then follow Kaikohe Maori and Mt. Eden, and fourth is the Te Awamutu Municipal. The order to assemble at point A is given —and weariness disappears as if by magic. All are alert—we have got to do the job 100 per cent—but no doubt the sleepless night is inwardly having its effect. "Carry on, drum major!" says the marshal—and now for it! Inspection over, and we march to point B; paces correct; counter march, left turn, right turn, right wheel, and halt before the judge’s tent. Have we made it? Onlookers say we have put up a wonderful performance, and what applause from the crowd! We certainly have made a good job of the quickstep. But, alas, only the judge can enlighten us as to the result. The Whangarei Junior Band, the last of the C graders, are now on the parade ground, so we should soon know the result. The judge mounts the platform, result sheets in his hands; silence prevails. The result of the quickstep competition is given as follows: Mt. Eden first, Te Awamutu second; the former win by a margin of 1J points! But there is some solace. Our points for the music portion are 133, against Mt. Eden’s 132, thus giving us a one point lead for the Aggregate Shield. Saturday, 7 p.m., finds us assembling at the Triangle in readiness to march to Jubilee Park for the test selection. Having drawn No. 1, we mount the platform determined to win. Our selection is the same that the B grade bands are to play. The judge is ready! One, two, three, four. We commence “Don Sebastiano” selection. A perfect opening, and a nice accompaniment. Assuredly we are playing very well. Having completed it, we can hear our conductor’s sigh of relief. But what are his thoughts? The crowd and other bandsmen have enjoyed our rendition; their applause it: wonderfully heartening. We cannot help feeling moved at the reception we are getting from the Whangarei people. One member of a B grade band remarks in our hearing that he wishes his own combination could play the selection as well as we have done. The judge announces the result: Whangarei Juniors first, Te Awamutu second. Surely this is incorrect! Our playing certainly seemed definitely superior. However, the boys are taking the decision well. But, lo! There's a change—and we’ve won the Shield, for most musical points in the quickstep and selection, beating the Mt Eden Band by one point! On Sunday morning a surprise awaits us. The results announced last night wore incorrect. Our band won the selection by three points, with Mt. Eden second—thus increasing our points win for the Shield! Sunday afternoon. —We assemble at the Town Hall for the hymn test. There were nine bands, comprising both B and C grades, competing as one class. . . . Well, we have certainly played the hymn much better at home than we played it to-day; but we should be in a place. The result is: Onehunga first, Te Awamutu second. The major portion of the contest over, we now begin to relax. There only remains a march through the streets, and back to our quarters. Again we are well received by the people, who make it plain that we are the most popular of all the visiting bands. After tea we proceed to the Methodist Church to render

hymns and accompaniments to the service. This was, we believe, the first occasion in Whangarei that a brass band has assisted at a church service. The church parade over, we marched to the Town Hall for presentation of prizes and a concert; but another surprise is in store for us. The official had mistakenly presented the Aggregate Shield to the Mt. Eden Band, instead of to Te Awamutu, who had been presented with the Selection Shield only. Lloyd and Allan Lee, both very popular in Te Awamutu, played a cornet duet, and received very hearty applause from the large audience. As we have to parade at 8.30 a.m. on Monday, for the street march to Kensington Park, everybody was anxious for bed. Monday morning.—Our Mr Close had early been endeavouring to get the Shield from the Mt. Eden Band, but apparently the man in possession was loth to part with it. However, we are assured that it is to be forwarded shortly to Te Awamutu. Again we draw No. 1 position, and the march is on, arriving at the Park at about 9.20. This task completed, there is full relaxation, and how the boys enjoy jp It is evident they had been keyed up to a high pitch in a determined effort to give of their best, and so win the honours; the work done, they surely were entitled to recreation. The refreshment staff was well patronised, and some of the Te Awamutus entertained a section of the crowd by jumping the brush hurdles, indulging in acrobatics and generally brightening up the surroundings. Ten-thirty is the time, and we are still awaiting the result of the march; but apparently the judge is lost in the crowd, and the officials are calling for him. We cannot wait, as our train homeward leaves at 11.45 and we still had that two miles’ march to undertake to reach the station. At the station we received the judge’s figures: Onehunga (B grade) first, Te Awamijtu second—beaten by only a quarter 6f a point; The train steamed out promptly to scheauie, but what a difference in the behaviour of the Te Awamutu bandsmen from that presented when they arrived early on Friday morning! They had truly relaxed, and felt that they could enjoy themselves to the fullest. However, it is all orderly fun, just as could be expected of them. They had behaved themselves admirably throughout the trip and at Whangarei, and all associated with them could honestly feel proud of them. One member climbed to the roof of the carriage to fix a short wire to serve as an aerial, and soon a battery wireless set was operating, to the huge enjoyment of all in the carriage. Mr T. Gray, the judge at the contest, was a fellow passenger as far as Auckland, and during the journey he gave a spirited talk on the Te Awamutu’s Band performance at the contest, and complimented the conductor (Mr R. H. Close) upon his sound work, for he had evolved ,a band to lie proud of. Mr Gray also asserted that had Te Awamutu competed in the B grade he was confident they would- have won the Test Selection with almost the possible number of points. That was high praise indeed! Speaking generally, he said the Te Awamutus had impressed him greatly, in more ways than one. Then he asked the Lee Boys to favour him with an instrumental duet, and »this Lloyd and Allan weretproud to do. Under difficulties through the swaying of the carriage, they performed very creditably indeed. The city was reached, and left, without going to Auckland railway station, being transferred from Newmarket to Otahuhu to catch a train homeward without a moment’s delay. At Huntly and Frankton the Band entertained other travellers with selections on the station platforms, and Te Awamutu was reached at 10.30 p.m. Monday. Truly, it was a trip, lasting from Friday evening till Monday night, that all participating will long remember with pleasant recollections. POINTS AWARDED. JUDGE’S COMMENT. Following are details of the judge’s awards and comments in connection with the Te Awamutu Band in each of the three tests:— Hymn test, “Silver Hill.”—First verse: Opening very nice, soprano playing nicely; harmony nicely blended; 9, 10, 11, 12 very nice. Second verse: A little out of tone at 3; Very nice tonal quality displayed; very fair; rendering. Third verse: A> little untunefulness at 3 and 4; band certainly playing lovely at 9, 10, 11, 12. Phrasing very nice; attacks and releases very good; also phrasing. Ninety points awarded. Quickstep, “On Parade.”—Opens well; band plays very nicely; good tempo. Trio not quite together; 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 very good. Second time: Excellent. Opening soprano playing very finely; but is out of tune 22 and 24; 37-38 and andante very good. Bass solo very good; trio fair. Repeat not nice at 14-15. Last strain: Baritone and epuhonium playing excellently; opening very nice. Tempo 126 (in front of my tent),, soprano doing good work. Careful attention to nuances. Band plays with good body of tone. An excellent performance. One hundred and thirty-three points awarded. Selection “Don Sebastiano.”—Allegro: Opening not together. Basses good, but thin. All placing well from A: Very good piece. Allegro: Very good. Largetto: Horns hardly smooth, bar 2 and 5 not clean release. Eupho. playing very well. Soprano nice 10 and 11. Eupho. good 12, and 16 good too. Like little more diminuendo. 19: Eupho. still playing well. 25 good. Cadenza excellent. Allegro not together 2 and 3. Band doing good work. Trombones good. Basses good. 40, 41, 42. Lentof Nicely expressive treatment. Basses claudy 8. Ensemble ve“y fair. Pause 16 good. Largetto: Nice entry bv horns. Trombones playing nicely; but I do not like his slurring; too much gliss. Comet very fair, 12-14, and cadanza a little more style wanted. Still, he is playing nicely. Cad : Very fair. Allegro: Eupho. doing his part all right. Effective crescendo. Resnonses 16, 17. 18: Good. 20: Hardly together. Cornet plays tastefully. 21, 22: Price moderato very n ; ce, accompaniments clean. Paco piri mosso: Cornet playing nicely, also eupho.: soprano not tonguing cleanly. 9-10: Nice retard. 15: Cornet cadenza very nice. Allegro nice, clean playing. Crescendo very good. Bass solo: Bass section good; also trebles. Clean and distinct. A very fine performance: which I have enjoyed very much. One hundred and forty points awarded.