FROM FAR AND NEAR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7329, 15 February 1902, Page 6

FROM FAR AND NEAR.

(By TOM TOM.) (Specially compiled for the "Star.") " Music the poor mana Parnassus." — Emerson. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. A Bandsman, Chnisbchuroh.. — No. 1. Tho l»fc& Mr Thos. Taillis Trimne'l, M.vs. -Bac, Ozcsn. JTo. 2. That 13 a matter sSriatly my cwnj and qu£be ou'tsida youi province. Masfceuttom Scribe. — Have ihad Ho rewrite your n<otss. Lead pencil motes will not again be accepted. BAND NOTES. The books found advertised above can . be had; by the owner on application. To all shades,- the rapid advance of temperance bands cannot but be satisfactory. One of the best is. undoubtedly the Richmond .Band. From ai personal comparison, I claim the last-named to be at par with the others-. Bandmaster Dunn works desperately hard 1 , and believes in music first, uniforms and etceteras being quite a secondary consideration. It is the correct order, bub is not always followed. Rich- ! mond residents should encourage their young bandsmen. ( They have good reason to, for the following programme, played on the lawn' of their president, Mr Pirie, last week, and the creditable display of ability, deserve the kindly regards of Ricamondites and the temperance people: — Valse, " Star of Love " (Rimmer) ; quickstep, " British Bandsmen " (Browne) ; slow march, " Solferino " (Marie) ; galop, " Mail Post " (Lancelot) ; valse, " Princess Beatrice" (Bray)*- marcli, "Starlit Dell" (R. Smith). A pretty polka and a sch'ottischc, " The King," were also included. The programme is not an amUitious . one, but is well within the band's reach, and Mr Dunn is to be congratulated on the stage "his pupils have reached. Their worthy president, Mr Pirie, entertained the band suitt ably. To-rao-rrow aftecaoon the Christclmroh Garrison will attend the funeral of the late Bugler John Ash-ton. It is worthy of mention that the deceased' 'bugler led away the first contingent that left here to fight alongside Imperial troops, in the late sixties, just after the Poverty Bay imassacre. " Saul," " Beethoven " aodi T. P. Boyer's " Garland of Flowers" are the marches selected, and these will be played en route to the Aldington 'Cemetery, jrt : the '* above order. ;

HAWKES AND SO^S. This old favourite firm, bids fair to run into a good! position in this colony. Owing to the recent win of a band using its instruments — "Sonorous" — in Victoria, and the local victory of Lyttelton Marine Band, many questions are being asked re. garding the " Sonorous " type. Those interested I refer to Mr G. E. Collins, bandmaster of Lyttelton Marine Band, who will, no doubfc, answer them on all points as regards th€ir. instruments and theirvvirtues. I received 'from the firm's musical department an acceptable budget of music, violin, clarionet, etc., the most interesting being the band parts, brass and military, of magnificent marches, gavottes, fantasias, entr'actes, waltzes, boleros, Spanish dances, overtures and a Selection. "Nell Gwyn," by Ed. German. Four of the marches to hand were those played by the massed bands of the Brigade of Guards at the trooping of the colours before King Edward, at the last Horse Guards' parade, conducted 'by Lieutenant Godfrey, Horse Guards (Blue). "The Right oVthe Line" (Walker), is a prize march; "Forward Volunteers" (Gunther), " Fighting Thro' to Victory " (Meyer), and "Les Gardes delaßeine" (Max . Fischer), are also specially good. The others include some already familiar to the public, viz., "With Sword and Lance" (Starke), "Unter Dem Freiheitsbanner " and " Silver Myrtles "j " Rose Mousse " (Bosc) is a dainty entr'acte, and " Les Echos Des Bois" (Damar), an overture from Felicien David's first opera, "La. Perk Dv Bresil." Each is of a decidedly good class. The compositions are arrangeu admirably, and are suited for capable players. Several of our local bands now use the "Journal," and those who want to know the virtues of it had better write to the ! firm, when they will find their labour not in vain. , The parts received by me only require to be known and they are sure to be .in greater demand. Evidently the " So- } norous " type of instruments will be stron* | rivals to the other ones. °

HUNTERVILLE NOTES. The HunterviUe Cosmopolitan Band has of late made great progress, and the general meeting held last week disclosed a highly satisfactory condition of affairs. Quite a 1 strong muster of members attended, and much, interest was shown by all. A long discussion took place with regard to registering under the Friendly Societies Act, but nothing definite was agreed upon, further than that the Honorary Secretary, Mr P. Marshall, should make other inquiries. Tho band's rules were passed and ordered to be printed,- and the price of honorary membens' tickets for the year was fixed at five shillings, the ticket to admit to all concerts held during the year. Last year's work is a credit to the Honorary Secretary (Mr Marshall) and Bandmaster Reed, both of whom take a strong interest in advancing the band. Th c officers of the HunterviUe Cosmopolitan Brass, Band are : Bandmaster, Mr E. Reed ; sergeant, P. New- ; man; honorary secretary, F. Marshall • honorary treasurer, W. Taylor. The abovenamed and the committee work harmonio usly together, and their good work has placed the band in a flourishing position. The number of players, twenty, shows an increase, and with bright prospects I hope soon t% record' the further advance of the Cosmopolitan. News from Mangaweka and Tapahape is meagre, but I hear' that the last-named band intends erecting a rotunda, which is, a sure sign of vigour. Bands in the district flourish and are popular. The latest appointment is that of Mr F. Petberick to the position of drum-major' He is a capital driller and his attention to details is sure to have a good effect. MASTERTON AND DISTRICT NOTES (By TE RURU.) The Wairarapa bands, speaking generally, have taken a fresh, lease of life, and each appears to be making great progress I think the arrlva,! of Mr F. M'Leod in this district, which caused a marked' improvement in tie playing of the Masterton Municipal Band, has had a- beneficial effect upon the bands of sister towns. Carterton Band has an energetic and enthusiastic leader i n Mr T. Sparks, and although its career has been of an "up and down" nature, it is now strong in membership, and all the players take an" interest in their work. Mr Sparks deserves every credit, and' the Carterton Band is a joy to the town. Greytown Band is under the able pilotage cf Mr Harry Bees, and lately has shown rare improvement. Happily, two really good comet players f rom ' Martodboraucrfe have joined, and the band is • now quite an. important institution in the. town I wish it every success, and hope Mr Rees will continue to advamce his player?. ■ Eketahuna, although it used to beast of a small bnnd, would appear now to be wanting in that line. It requires a. rekindling, which I hope will not be delayed. PaMatua Band is conducted by Mr F Holder, and it is the pluckiest lot I know' In every respect it deserves praise for its grit and determination. It is now using a. number of comparatively new instruments uurchased from the Woodville Band. In

my next I hope to give you fuller accounts of Mr Holder's 'band. ' The Masterfcon Municipal jJand is under Mr F/. W. G. M'Lecd 1 , who formerly ' belonged to the celebrated 1 Oamaru Garrison. Band, and it is now thoroughly established, and steadily improving. Having entered for itihe impending • Norfchi Island contest (New Plymouth), the practices are frequently -held, and tie players mean business. On each of the selections the local fellows are . doing well, andl they will prove a hard nut • to^crack. : i . They^muster thirty £<trong>;but only a limited minnber play in the contest; and from the full number twenty-five creditable players will con tend" for the. honour cf the Wairamapa. district. Past bands here have been good, but they fell away, and never lasted 1 any lengtihi of time. In regard to tihe tono of the M.M.B. at present it is splendid l , and the refinement of its playing is week by week being developed. Recent additions to its ranks are Messrs R. J. Young (bass trombone), and R. Rcdgers, both. ex-meir.ibers of Oamaru Garrison Band. The trass trombone is a great acquisition. I Ifc is a most telling dnstrumeii't, and the southerner is decidedly on the young side as a contesting band, yet I think the time is at hand when it will hnsve to be reckoned amongst the "big guns." liornb year's performance at Wainganui was creditable, the b|jad being only thrown out on a, technical point. Mr F. J. Hunn -was, att tihe last arintial meeting, appointed drum-major, and if appearance, knowledge ,andi a- stentorian voice count for oughib, the M.M.B. possesses an ideal drum-major. j

NEW PLYMOUTH CONTEST NOTES. The committee has made most thorough arrangements as regards reduced fares and other conveniences for visiting bandsmen. ; For the solo prizes the competition is of exceptional interest, each section containing the names of past winners and highly promising new aspirants. The people of New Plymouth i are taking a lively interest in their contest, and 1 from, the worthy Maybr down all are working to ensure success. The North Island B^ds* Association has not slowed down since it organised. • ' '■■ ■* "Gems from Sullivan's Operas}'" No. 3, arranged by J. Ord-Hume; is one of the 1 selected pieces for the s?nior. bands. It differs in many respects from iNos. 1 and 2, and is sure to prove all 'that is required 6fit. It is divided into the, following move- ' men ts : — Me derato alia iMafqia , metronomed 132 crotchets, ("Ivanhoe"; allegro vivace, 116 crotchets, (" La Criada ") ; piu mosso, 132 crotchets, andante express 66 crotchets, (" lolawthe ") ; andn:nte moderato maestoso, 69 minims, " Chorus of Templars," (" Ivanhoe"); allegretto mystericso, 138 crotchets, •' Herne, the Hunter Music"; ("Victoria i and Menie England ") ; ardante moderate, 60 crotchets, and un poco animato, 69 crotchets, (" Ivanhoe ) ; andante no» troppo lento, 66 minims ("The Martyr of Antioch"); amdante nraestoso '0101:0 scstenuto, 8* crctchets ("Victoria and Merrie Enarland'"); allegro con brio, 138 crotchet?, "Dance and Ensemble" ("Rose of Persia"). This last malces a magnificent finish to a capital selection. With - the exception of the " lolanthe " movements, the others are fresh ground for the majority of New Zealand players. All have their share, but judging by a glance at the .score the euphonium has the show part. The tempos show that " No. 3 " will be pleasant to listen to, but the ■difficulties set contestants by the arranger are sure to give bandmasters and '' bandsmen plenty to do and no lack of scope for success or failure. The selection has not- yet been attempted by any local band, and until the contest there will nob be an opportunity of hearing it. In the general work the euphonium has the heaviest part, and the player who successfully surmounts the. 5-4 movement will score many points for his band. It is an intricate movement, and one that will need mrticular attention and hard practice forthe trombones, horns, baritone and E and B cornets. Twenty-one bars after the letter E, at the commencement of [he 5-4 movement, will. I think, prove as difficult a piece of work* as can be found, and for intricate syncopation hard to match The whole selection abounds in sweet melodies, and every bar shows that Mr Ord-Hume has outclassed his former efforts from the late Sir Arthur Sullivan's nneras I have to thank the obliging Honorary Secretary, Mr T. Morey, for the loan f'tie cornet part Those bands desirous of securing this selection, if they apply to him will be furnished: with details as to t' e tc The selection is worthy of infusion in any band's library. The other S piece, "L'Ebreo," by Giuseppe Apolloni, will be noted next week.