BAND GOSSIP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5427, 30 November 1895, Page 6

BAND GOSSIP.

FROM FAR AND NEAB. [by tomtoh.J An ex-Maorilander, now in Hobart, expresses his satisfaction because the Wellington Garrißon won this year. It is worthy of mention that the Eame writer in a former letter gave it as his opinion that W.(j B. would be victorious— it came o€. Mr Trussall, mentioned in this column some time back, is— so report says— about to leave for Auckland. I am informed he will take charge of a crack northern band. It isa pity hiß services could not be retained here. Mr Trußiell's ability as a player, and his recently composed spirited marches, stamp him as being an excellent musician. Whilst regretting his departure Auokland is to be congratulated on itß good luck, and I wish Mr Trussell luck ad lii.

tfr Tom Tankard has finally settled down in Christohuroh, and wields the bfiton .Inthe Oity Band. Somehow old Chrißtchnrch fellows wander back again— they feel at home here, and they are wont to say, " Yoa cannot beat Christohurch go where you will." Mr Tankard's old friends have rallied round him, and amongst his numerous pupils are young aspirants who- wish to excel in cornet playing, au accomplishment for whioh their tutor's name is well known through the colonies, Another wanderer retnrned this week. An ex-Stanmore trombbnißt, and one who was ever willing to put hia shoulder to the wheel and help along bands in tha "eighties," During his absence the exStanmore boy has visited America, the Old Country, We_tern Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Africa, &c— an account of his wanderings is interesting— ahd he has met' with varied experiences.' Those who remember Willie Smith will extend him a hearty welcome, for ho had no enemies but • legion of well-wishers. Woolston Band has not been content with * back seat. So far it has been frequently before the public. Amongst future engagements is Lyttelton Begatta. That musfbe mighty consoling to the Woolston, but not so Voider band* The borough band evidently -means busineßS; it intends to score all jjosßible points, and up to date hae done so. Aa to. whether it is an associated body I know not, but they do o»g in. Mr E. Derry, the champion cornet player of Maoriland,is the band-master; Mr Chegwin, late soprano in the Engineers, has joined their number, therefore one can safely predict farther successes for the Woolston Brass Band. These boys possess one unique advantage : they have a bandcoom of their own. # To-morrow (Sunday) the Garrison, under Mr & Trist Searell. will play a programme of mußioin the Hoßpital grounds. "•Moses in Egypt," " Samson," " Worthy fo the Lamb," and other sacred items will be rendered. Mr Trussell's local march, *'The Garrison," will be included in s programme, whioh, as usual, will consist of high-class music. _ j To-morrow afternoon the Engineers' j Sand (under Mr John Pooley) will be in , 3amp at Brighton, and attend church parade during the afternoon. Brighton •ill wear a military aspect, seeing thatthe E Battery and Engineers' Corps will be ancamp-d together, and the band will certainly enliven the camp with some well- 1 leleoted military music. Farther evidence of the high esteem in Whioh Bandmaster S. Wolf ia held by hia men was shown at a recent practice. He was the proud recipient of a particularly handsome baton, presented to him by the tolo players of the Timaru Garrison. Sidney Wolf took infinite pains with his soloists } he has had rare sucoesß, and has famished the winner of the euphonium Srize for three consecutive years, viz., [r Harry Necklin; besides Hattpn, Bezzant, Griffiths and Eogers. The presentation came with infinite grace from those who owe so muoh to the able tuition and assistance given by Mr Wolf, and was Accepted jast as graciously by the popular gouth Canterbury band-master. The Emaru Garrison Band intends having a _tew set of instruments from the Eegent Btreet firm of Boosey and Co., and will no ioubt be on hand, splendidly equipped, at Dnnedin in 1896. Napier now boasts of a drum and fife sand. Impey'a band, in Auokland, still continues to be in great demand. . The Burnham Band, under Mr Frank Craze, is as good as ever, and is a credit to the institution, " Mandolin Bands," • by CapoD' Astro, Part IL, is to hand. It is at the disposal of Mr Arenas and members of the local band, and, like Part I, is of extra interest to those -who play mandolins", mandols, InteS or guitars. Early last September there *died at Bordeaux Signor Pietro Armamni, the greatest of Milanese mandolinißts ; the author of a comprehensive treatise on the mandolin, and a figure of note in the mimical world. i A resident of Oamaru has promised to furnish me with an account of the Oamaru Garrison Band, which will appear immediately the copy comes to hand. The band's past has been of such a brilliant character that its history will be genuinely welcome. <<

" Old Auoklander" asks for a list of the bands that were in the North Island during the Maori war. lam indebted to an old member of the 58th Begiment for the following:—The 80th, 96th, 99th, 58th, 65th, •70th, 14th and 18th. I will, if possible, give the question mora attention in a later iesue. The gentleman referred to in the letter was for years employed in the Bailway department, ahd, at one time, was stationed at Kaiapoi.

Here in Christchurch the piano is being taught for 10b per quarter. That fact is saddening; but in au English paper there appeared an advertisement notifying the face that "Violin taught, 6d per lesson; pupil supplied with a cup of milk." The following appeared in an Edinburgh paper no,t long since, as a two-line advertisement: " Pianoforte Instruction.—Beginners, 3d per lesson. Houxb, 4 till 10, evening." New Zealand is not yet down quite so low aB this.

TheEstudiantina Band's trip to Dunedin was highly successful in every respect. The members of the band met with a hearty reception ; their music was highly spoken of, and the "Yacht Club's" coffers were considerably replenished by the concerts held in the Garrison Hall, Mr Arenas was there, and looked after the members in a style that is peculiar to him;. the Dunediuites, too, laid themselves out to entertain, whilst Messrs Charloa and James Coombs eslipsed themselves by assisting and making the trip pleasant. Members of the band voted the trip just splendid. The fame ot the Estudiantina Band has gone afar, and possibly there will be a mild rush for mandolins and guitars.

Some little time ago a meeting was held in Wanganui. in connection with the formation of a Brass Bands Association. Eepresentatives were present from northern nnd southern centres, and all present wore of the opinion that the formation of such an institution would be of marked benefit to the various bands joining it. The only point in dispute was' whether a West Coast or North Island Association should be formed. . Those present were divided on the question, and the meeting terminated without anything . definite being done. Since then, the various delegates have been in communication with 'eaoh other, and have agreed to support the formation of a North Island Association. In consequence of the attitude taken up' at'the meeting held in Wanganui, the Napier and East Coast bandß, who were also moving inthe matter, deoided to form an East Coast Association. It ia understood, however, that correspondence is passing between the Weßt Coast and Napier with the objeot ot amalgamating and forming a North Island Association.

New Zealanders are inordinately fond of music, aad occupy a creditable position indeed. From the " London Music Beview " t eztt act the following from " The Tear's Trade in Musical Instruments ":— " It is satisfactory to find that although there waa a seriouß drop in 1893 in regard to »*P 9|fe fe^lfd***. »$ thftt the tailing

off has not increased, and, indeed, that there was in 1894 a slight increaoe in our exportß to our principal colony. Our total exports to Australasia in 189 i wore .£29,455. There wss a slight increase in the exports to South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, but in the exports to New South Wales there was a falling off. The decrease in exports of foreign and colonial made goods waß, however, even more marked, and in Queensland onty JE7737 worth of foreign and colonial musical instruments were sent last year, as against nearly £10,000 worth in iBBI. New Zealand appears now to be by far our best customer*" The above is conclusive proof enough. The number of musical organisations of various kinds in this little colony is surprising ; there is hardly a spot worthy of mention that does' not run one or more.