WANTED: A BAND.

Thames Star, Volume LX, Issue 16855, 4 August 1926, Page 5

WANTED: A BAND.

LACK OF ENTHUSIASM. SIXTY PLAYERS AVAILABLE. URGENT ACTION NEEDED. Time was when Thames boasted two brass bands, of which any city might well be proud. To-day, she hasn’t even the remnants of a band, and is being left hopelessly behind, as far as the provision of music for the masses is concerned, by no less a place than Turua, where twelve players attend the weekly practices of the Turua Brass Band. . Days of Old. There is many an old-time miner who can pridefully recall the days when the Thames Scottish Battalion Band, with it’s scarlet and gold uniforms, and magnificently arrayed drummer, was truly the pride of the Goldfields. Those days are gone, and, with them, went a healthy enthusiasm for posibly a very best form of mental recreation open to the working man at a cost well within his reach. Those old resident of Thames, whose young hearts beat faster at the blare of martial music betokening the triumphant return of the Scotish Battalion Band from many contests, will readily recall the smart trappings of the Naval Brigade Band, which followed in the wake of the doughty Scottish Battalion players.' Then came the Hauraki Town Band, and the Second Auckland Battalion Band. Immediately prior to the outbreak of war, enthusiasm had flagged somewhat, but was revived by the appearance of a Drum and Fife Band of 60 players, drawn from 160 pupils. On the outbreak of the Great War, the 2nd. Battalion Band was called up foi service, some 35 players responding. This sounded the death knell to band music locally, to all intents and purposes. Since the War, the 2nd. Battalion Band has struggled manfully along under the name of the 6th. Hauraki Regimental Band, but it has been a losing fight, and unless some definite move for re-establishment is shortly (inaugurated, Thames stands a very good I change of losing a Band for all time, 'as a very fine set of instruments, own* |ed by the Defence Department, may bd (removed to another district where enthusiasm is keener. Past Contests. i The leading local authority on Band music is probably Mr A. Clarke, who has conducted Bands at Thames for oyer 20 years. Other prominent bandsmen whose names will be well. and favourably known to many readers are Messrs E. Williams (recently deceased in U.S.A.), Herbert Booth, Chas. Anderson, John Gordon, Geo. Smith, and Walter Hunter. There appears to have been a revival of interest in Band music in 1922. when a contest was promoted at Thames. The local Band, on that occasion, secured a second in the test j selection, and carried off the quickstep, j At that time there were two Banda j at Thames, and such was the high j standard of playing, Inspired by a healthy rivalry, that they usually divided the prize-money at the provincial contests. In 1924, the Thames Band returned from the N.1.8.8.A. contest at Palmerston North with the coveted Boosey Shield for B grade bands. Since that time enthusiasm seems to have sadly flagged. Lack of Enthusiasm. The practises have not been attends ed, and little or no interest has been manifested in Mr Clarke’s efforts to keep the Band together. This is all the more surprising when it is known that there are at least 60 bandsmen in Thames, out of which a very creditable combination of musicians could bo obtained, if the necessary keenness could be worked up. v. Waihi’s Good Example. At the last New Zealand contest at Auckland, the Waihi Federal Band secured third place in the aggregate, and second in one of the test selections, against Bands from all parts of the Dominion. In 1924, there was a possibility of the Band’s progress being hampered by lack' of money for instruments, etc. On the first hint of this reaching the public ear, bazaars were organised, concerts were promoted, with the result that in a comparatively short time a highly-qualified conductor in Mr Fred.- Russell had been brought from England, and it was under his able tuition that the Federal Band reached a high playing standard. In addition to practising for contests, pleasure was afforded the townspeople by Sunday and week-day recitals which, not infrequently, included operatic selections and the works of acknowledged masters of Band music. Need for Action. Surely such an accomplishment is not beyond the bandsmen and people of Thames? The players are here, the instruments (a particularly fine set) are available, and a conductor is at hand. What is wanted is a conference of bandsmen to appoint' half a dozen enthusiasts to report on the prospects of establishing and maintaining an efficient combination of players ready to devote their time and energy to the certain provision of a popular and profitable form of entertainment for their fellows.