THE MAECHING CONTEST.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11556, 17 February 1906, Page 2

THE MAECHING CONTEST.

In speaking of the march "The Challenge" performed by the winners of the marching contest, the judge reported that taken as a whole it was a very good performance of a difficult march. The body of tone and balance was not quite so good as No 2 (Denniston Band), but taking into consideration the difficulty of this march as compared with that played by No. 2, he awarded Masterton one point more in niusio— 77 points. In regard to the "Takapuna" march, played by the Nel9on Citi* zens' Band, the attaok was , fair, . though not strictly in tune. There was a fair body of tone, but net sufficient distinction was made between FF and M.F. The horns were out of tune at bars 33 and 38, and in the bass solo at bars 47 and on slightly out of tune. The bass section and trombones did good work, also the B flat cornets. The trio was, on the whole, nicely played, although the balance of tone was somewhat distributed by the overblowing of the second and third cornets, which was a great pity as the remainder were doing well. The euphonium and side drum did good work, although the latter did not always read correctly. The melody cornets played nicely in parts, but at others were slightly out of tune. On the whole the performance was very nice Points— 74. The judge devoted more space to the criticism of the maroh "The Durhams, " played by the Nelson Garrison Band, than to any of the other performances. He stated that the soprano missed G at bar 24, and also some beautiful work at bars 29 and on, at any rate it was inaudible to him. The second time through he heard a porion of it. The drums did good work, also the basses. In the trio the first six bars were very nicely played, the baritones and euphonium doing good work. The soprano was rather a weak spot as far as this march was ooncerned. . The perfomance was marred by the melody cornets being somewhat out of tune. The drums, trombones and basses did good work. In the second time through he could not hear the soprano at bars 29 and 'on, an effective part which should stand out well and be heaid distinctly. The * horns and bass did good work, the band playing much better when it had halted. The first six bars of the trio again pleased him very much, but the tone of the band might be a little warmer. The tone, however, was fairly good, though not closely in tune. The counter subject, for baritones, trombones, etc., in bars. 23 were not strictly in tune, nevertheless the playing was very fair indeed. The band would have scored

more points had it not beert for the beautfuJ work omitted by tho soprano at bars 21, 22, 29 and on, tynich. was rather a pity. The $iqip'rftno was very weak at bars 10 to 11V Mid fl?d not articulate clearly. The remainder of tee band played in a' ]iice ..crisp style, btft fitft Strictly in tune. The melody corntitS and soprano were not together at bars £(5, 37 and 38 to 41. From bar 10 on the uielody cornets were slightly out cf fyi'ne. He heard the soprano at bars »I £!nd 24, but not bars 29 to 32— he tvaa aiWg&\,h*s too bashful. On tho whole a very Hik@ , performance Points— 72. (It is only Itir to. state that the soprano cornet of this o«»;;t!; who is a first-class player, was suffering from split lips, and did not do himsolf or ths band justice at ih's marching contest).