BANDSMEN'S COLUMN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8315, 13 May 1905, Page 7

BANDSMEN'S COLUMN.

(By TROMBONE.)

KAIAPOI BRASS BAND

At the invitation of the members of Jhe Kaiapoi Worjnng Men's Club, the (vaiapoi Brass Band gave its second performance on the lawn in front of the club premises on Saturday evening, May p. The grounds were thrown open, to the public, and ample seating accommodation was provided for lady visitors, a large number being_ present. The musical programme was. similar to that rendered by the band on the previous Saturday evening, but, in response to a suecial request, the descriptive fantasia, "The Smithy in the Wood," was added. This item was rendered . with good effect, and was heartily applauded by the large, audience. At the conclusion of the programme the band was hospitably entertained by the club* and Mr H. Farrer (chairman of the Entertainment Committee of the institution) thanked: the members for the programme, which, he laid, was heartily appreciated by his blub and also by the large audience present. . Mr W. Knight, Kaiapoi Brass Band's solo B-flat cornetist, was uriable to be in his place during the rendering of the above programme, he hiving been "compelled to take to his bed owing to -a sudden attack of wat fashionable though serious complaint appendicitis. In all probability an operation will have to be performed, io. that it may be weeks before this popular bandsman is able to resume his place in the ranks of the Kaiapoi Band) The members of the band deeply sympathise with Mr Knight, in his serious illness. Owing to the absence of Bandsman Knight, Mr W. Harman, the popular bandmaster of the Rangiora Brass Band, unhesitatingly consented to play solo cornet for the programme above-mentioned. Mr .Harman lr a capable eornetist, and bis ajsist-? arice at a critical moment is highly appreciated by Bandmaster Hoskin and the members of Kaiapoi Brass Band. Mr A. Prestney, another member of the Rangiora Band, also .lent valuable assistance on the 88-flat bast, Kaiapoi 1 s representative _ being unable to be present. Acts of consideration such aa these are indicative of the cordiality existing -between th two North Canterbury bands.

PASSING NOTES. , 'Bandsmen will regret to learn that Mr James Chapman, of the Elite Band, died at his residence, Linwood, on Thursday. Mr Chapman, who was sixty-three years of age, came to iNeisr Zealand about 1857, in the same vessel as Mr Painter, the pioneer bandsman, and his family. The deceased gentleman took up his residence fat the Temuka district, and he was actively interested in Volunteering and musical matters in his early days. His parents continued to reside in Temuka, and they predeceased their son by some four years only. Mr Chapman removed to Ohristchurch about thirty years ago, and when the Salvation Army opened in Ohristchurch, in 1883, he was one of the first to join its rank* and became a bandsman. He was an enthusiastic soldier, bandsman 4nd bandmaster in the Army up till 1901, when he joined the Elite Band, of which his son and pupil, Mr Fred Ohapman, was a member. Mr Chapman was elected treasurer of the band

about two years ago, a position he held up to the timo of his death. He took an active' interest in the band's pupils, and ■was ~in charge of the learners' class last winter. Mr Chapman was always of a cheerful disposition, and made himself popular with both young and old.. He leaves a widow, three sons and five (Slaughters. The funeral will be held to-morrow afternoon, the cortege leaving the residence, 63, Tuam Street, Lin wood, at 1.45 o'clock for the Barbadoes Street Cemetery.

Ghrifitohurch bandsmen will be interested to learn that Miss Freda Brandon, the lady cornetist, who is playing i on the Fuller circuit, is the wife of Mr Fred. Brandon, at one time a member of the Christchurch Garrison Band. Mr Brandon graduated with the band, and played at the contest held in the Colosseum Building in 1889, when the Oamaru Garrison won, with the local Garrison second. Mr Brandon, then a lad, left Christchurch about fourteen years ago, for Sydney ; later he went to London, and was accepted as a member of the band of the Scots Guards, under Mr Henry Woods, besides engaging in orchestral playing. Mr Brandon and his wife, who is a Brighton girl, and who became enamoured with cornet playing a few years ago, went to Sydney about eleven months ago. At present Mr Brandon is training the Grafton (New South Wales) City and Drum and Fife Bands. It is not improbable that Mr Brandon will pay a visit to Christchurch shortly. j Miss Freda Brandon, who quite a& j tonisbes an audience by her executive I ability, was well received at a concert I given at the Steinway Hall, London, on. March 27, 1904, for her rendering of j Barnard's song "Bid me to Love,"

j Mr Duggan, conductor of the Elite ■Band, is confined to his bed wjth a severe attack of rheumatism. His bandsmen are very kindly helping to nurse hiift. It is to her hoped that Mr Duggan will soon be able to resume his duties at the head of his popular mueical organisation. j The Ashburtori County Sand, at » meeting held recently, decided to suspend the active members' subscription payment: for twelve months. . The. band's first popular concert of the ■ season will be held on May 24.

Mr T. Herd, of Wellington, who is agent for the " Champion Journal/ favours me with some sample copies of musio. There are the following selec-tions-:—"II Trovatore," arranged by Newton, with a full score for conductor; "Poliuto," arranged by the ia.te E. Swift, from Donizetti's opera of that name, with full conductor's score; and two cake-walk selections, "A Hot Time," Nos. 1 and 2 (these will be popular). There are three overtures, namely, "Crown of Merit," "The Sylvan Glade," and "Sunshine and Shade " all good numbers, and not difficult. The marches comprise one by Mr J\ Oxd-Hume, entitled, "Brilliant," an exhibition quickstep, and companion to the " Twentieth; Century" march, and "Sail Away" " The Challenger, 5 ' and " Wait at the Gate for Me," besides, a cake-walk, " Society." The marches are not difficult, with the exception, perhaps, of Mr Hume's, which may, from the cofnet part, be termed moderately diifioult.

The Hokitika Citizens' Band made £105 profit out of its recent bazaar venture. . '-„...■ ; :

The Greymouth band contest will be held next week. Seven or eight bands are expected to take part, and the playing of most of the competitors is likejy to be good and of so level a nature that an interesting contest is assured. Given fine weather, the financial result will, no doubt, Tie very satisfactory. The : officials have heeh working hard to ensure the success of the gathering, and bandsmen and public alike are promised an enjoyable musical function.

The Inveroargill Municipal Band is likely to make £600 out of its recent carnival venture. !

The people of Gore have, subscribed £135 8s Id towards the cost of a new

set of uniforms for their popular band,' which, under Mr H. Mayo, has been so successful at recent contests. "Musicus" writes to me from Wellington as follows :— Band matters are rather- quiet here at present/ The Newtown Band played a n^ce programme of music at Newtown Fark on Sunday afternoon, May 7, under Bandmaster H. Cummins. The Garrison Band, I am told, has asked two or three of its members to resign, as the;, have not been attending practice regu larly; and th« active members are, with the conductor, determined to weed out all "drones" from the " hive." This band is steadily rehearsing the programme for its nest '• subscribers' concert,' ' and it will shortly give an outdoor performance in aid or the "Home for Consumptives.'' The Nelson Citizens' Band gave a performance in the Nelson Hospital grounds on Sunday afternoon, May 7, Sergeant Mockler conducting.. Ihe music was listened to by a large number of people, and over £4 was taken at the gate in aid of . the hospital funds. Dr Mackay, resident surgeon, thanked the band for its kindness in visiting the hospital. Mr F. W. G. M'Leod, conductor of the Masterton Band, and who was a member of the New Zealand Band, has sent me the following, written under date April 29:— "Dear Trombone,— Some little time ago 1 received a large package of books from Mr J. H. lies, who was conneoted with the tour .of the "New Zealand Band in Great Britain, which are. forwarded by him to the bandsmen of that combination, as a personal memento. The books are handsomely-bound volumes of the < British Bandsman ' for 1903, containing a photograph of the band, taken in Hornsey Park, Crouch End, London, and several references to the movements of the combination while on tour. The books are somewhat bulky, and it has been suggested to me that your 'columns offered special facilities for getting at the addresses of a number of the men. Will you kindly insert a paragraph having reference to the above matter, stating that, on forwarding to me their addresses' and the necessary postage fee, Is 8d (I have ascertained that this is the amount required), I shall be happy to forward these Bouvenirs to their van- I ons destinations. It will be two years j on Thursday since we sighted England and reached Plymouth', per. R.M-S; Corinthic. I can well remember passing Eddystone Lighthouse, about 3 p.m. on May 4, and, not long after, at Plymouth, Mr J. H. lies and a number of others coming on board. Notwithstanding the financial heartburn connected with the tour, I feel I can look back with pleasure on the trip, and there is no denying the benefit we all derived."

The Gore Band, at the contest arranged by the Invercargill Municipal Band, and held in the southern metropolis last week, again proved itself to be a most consistent musical combination in taking first place in eaoh of the principal events. At Oamaru, on January 2 and 3, the band gained three seconds in the march, selection and waltz competitions. I desire to extend hearty congratulations to Mr Harry Mayo' and his bandsmen:

i The Masterton Municipal Band is, I am pleased to bear, plodding along steadily, and is maintaining a very creditable standard of efficiency. For some time fortnightly openrair concerts have been regularly given by the band, and a good class of musio has been submitted for the public's musical delectation. The band is not too strong in leading cornets, but it is hoped to improve this department before long. The judge of music at the Invercargill Municipal Band's second-grade contest, held last week at Invercargill, was Mr E. Stratton, of Dunedin, who is known as one of the most consistently successful bandmasters in New Zea- ; land. His association with bands commenced in the Old Country in his youth, and on coming to New Zealand he joined the Artillery Band in Dunedin, which was conducted by Marcus Hume, jje afterwards started the Caledonian Society's Band, which later merged into the City Guards', then to the Battalion Band, and finally became the present Dunedin Garrison Band. Mr Stratton was appointed conductor of the Kaikorai Band a few months after its formation, and for eighteen years he held that office, and was bandmaster when the Kaikorai won the Invercargill contest. He brought that band to its recognised high standard of -efficiency, but about two years ago he resigned and took over the Dunedin Nayals' Band for a time. He_ recently resigned active connection with this band, and has since followed exclusively his profession as teacher of music. ! One of the annoyances of the bandmaster (says a Home band journal) is | the trouble he has in getting two "instruments to blend as one when playing the same melody. It is a common thing I for the cornet to double the trombone in a trombone solo, or the euphonium, as the case may be. The parts move in octaves, and ought to sound as one, each/ tone enriching the . other. No matter how well in tune the band may