The Federal Band.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3463, 8 July 1899, Page 3

The Federal Band.

The Federal Band, one of the organisations of the Salvation Army, gave a miscellaneous concert on Tuesday evening in the Volunteer Hall, Tcmuka. The band numbers 20 performers, with Eusigu Cater as conductor. The members are representatives of the various Australian colonies, hence their title, and have been selected for their proficiency in instrumental and vocal music, They arrived in this colony iu April last, and attended the various meetings of General Booth. Since then they have been touring the colony in the interests of vaiious local corps, simply retaining enough to pay their travelling expenses. The band has earned a capital reputation, aud they were greeted by a very good audience. Prior to the concert they paraded the town, playing a lively and inspiriting march. This performance of itself was sulficieut to induce many to attend who, perhaps, had no thought of it before. The performance in the hail commenced with a selection which the conductor humorously described as “The Baby Frighteuer,” its introductory movement being of a somewhat pronounced order. This was received with applause. The conductor then introduced a number a performers by the nicknames m use amongst themselves, “ Lord Raudolxih Gbur filil, ■■ Sir Garuet Wolseley.” “ Lord Nelson, his brother Bill, “ Captain Cook/’ “ Tom the Piper’s Son,” ami so forth. ♦He aho int'mated that their performance would include humourous as well as serious items, and said that while they appreciated a hearty laugh, yet they hoped the aulieiico would make uo noisy interruptions ; they were w elcome to clap their hands anil stamp their feet if they were cold, but only ladies were allowed to whistle. Brother Obadiah then essayed a_ verse of “The f rmy has come to stay, " to which a good chorus was given. Inc singer retired, however, owing to hia having a bad cold, “ Lord Nelson ” I hen gave an organ reci'.al. Tiiis was a clever pcrloi manee on a mouth organ. A chorus by the singing members u£ tbo company to the familiar air of the glee, Ye shepnerds tell me,” was very good indeed, showing ihut the members poshes* good voices and have been eaieiully trained, i'he bass parts were particularly 7 good. selection by the baud, “ ihe Young Leeruit,” was of a ..eacriptive character, In its intioJuctjry passages were introduced the faint crowing of a ehauth.de j r, the reveille, and the general noises incidental to the awakening of a eansp. ft concluded with that inspiriting march indicated by the title. Brother Obadiah, the humourous member of the company, in the character of a colonial Chimin-n, held an amusing conversation with the conductor ot ho.v he became -possersel of an instrument described as “a snake charmer.” and he played a solo cu this instrument, which was not remarkable for harmony, bub may perhaps be appreciated by celestials. It served 10 make the audience laugh heartily, us did also another item on “ The kitchen piano ’ —a small pair of bellows. A member of the company 7 recited “ the old man goes to town ” very well indeed, after wh ch another company song, " Born King of ihe Jews,” was well sung. The march ‘teenveut bells” served to introduce the players on the big and kettle drums, and their performance was also worthy of the applause with which it was greeted. Another item by the band, “The Holy City/’ was well played, the ccraet solo bring very good indeed. An instrumental duct, mouth-organ and bones, was a elever performance, and the final company song, “Jesus, lover of my soul,” again displayed the cateful training of the vocalist-, in the course of the evening representatives from the various colonies gave their testimonies, and the proceedings terminated witutbe benediction.

The Federal Band appeared for the second time in the Volunteer Bull, Geraldine, on Wednesday night, when there was a j ull house, and fully maintained the reputation that had preceded them, their instrumental music being greatly admired by an enthusiasticaudieuce. The programme was not confined solely to baua music, but comprised a variety of novel items which made a most interesting evening’s entertain meat. The first part consisted of variety items. The company’s singing was excellent, and the comicalities of “ Obadiah ” and “ Lord Nelson ” earned great amusement. “ Obadiah ” gave a most amming performance on a comb aud piece ol paper, the tuue being " Alter the Ball,” and one member of the baud proved himself to be an able reciter, hia recitation of “ The Old Man W. nt to Town ” being exceptio ally good.

"lord Nelson ' gave several clever performances on a mouth organ, and he and "Obadiah” gave a duet with the mouth organ and bones. .Between the items the band played a number of pleasing selections in a brilliant style. The second part of toe programme toolr the form of a Service of Song called “ A Storm at Sea,” illustrating the disastrous wreck of the 'Vairarapa on the Barrier reef. The story in verse was nicelv read by a member of the baud, and the number of songs, ducts, and band pieces between the readings were extremely good, one piece being particularly cltective with the sound of breakers cashing on the rocks and the whistling of the wind at the back of the- stage. The audience might have thought that they were actually on tho wreck, rite Service of Song pieces also gave the band plenty of sco; e to exhibit their powers, and their playing of " Peace be Still ” was fall of effect and elicited rapturous applause. They also played the " The Bead March in Saul ” very effectively, nnd an item which met with great succees was Captaiu Flavell’s song, with which she cheered the hearts of the ship-wrecked before she went to her watery grave. The song was “My Father, God is at the Helm.” At the close of the performance tho leader of the band thanked the public of Geraldine for their kindness in billettiu'g out the members, and thus saving them the expense of board and lodging.

The wet weather prevailing last night spoilt the band’s second entertainment at Temuka. Despite the heavy rain, a cold wind from the south, and the darkness about fifty persons aa-embled. The following items were given and much appreeited : —“Pardon through the Blood.” “Alas, those Chimes,” Baud ; company song. " Silver Bells”; Lord Nelson, mouth-organ solo; recitation, " How Lucy was promoted,” G. Hill ; “Peace bo Still,” baud. Ensign Cater returned thanks to those who had kindly billeted members of the band and expressed the hope that if they paid a, return visit they would be favored with fine weather. The money charged for admission was returuc I, and the proceedings closed with prayer.