OUR BANDSMEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12088, 17 August 1917, Page 8

OUR BANDSMEN.

LOCAL NEWS AND FOREIGN NOTES. (By TROMBONE) Mr William Reid, who died at Dunedin roceutly and was accorded a bandsman's funeral, in which aJ! Dunodin and district bands were represented, was one of the well-known cornetists of the southern city, Mr Reid was a member of the old Dunedin Engineers' Band, and he engaged in contest work as a. cornet player at several old-tiino competitions. He was always a serviceable and reliable performer, but did not aspire to the cornet premiership of the Dominion, consequently he did not devoto much attention to solo competitions. His tone was clear, fiee, and of expressive quality, and for many year? he gave great pleasure to Danedin audiences by his fine cornet work in theatre orchestras. Mr Reid was very popular, and his death was deeply regretted by his musical comrades and other friends. Bandsmen will be sorry to learn that. Mr R. Cook, the well-known Dunedin band trainer and orchestral conductor, is still lying ill in Dunedin. Ho went through an operation a few months ago, but it Ls thought he may ha.ve to submit to another. Mr Cook is far from being a young man, and be naturajlVy d° os like to face a second operation- Bandsmen with mo will hops that that will not be required, and that the popular veteran will make a, good recovery and again offer bis support to the cause of music, in whiieh ho has been keenly interested for vory many years. Mr Bc:-t King, secretary of tho Napier Garrison Band, passed through Christcluireh on Monday. In a brief chat he told ine that the band was makinrr excellent progress under the conduct orship of Mr F. Hopkinson, erstwhile of Westport Garrison fame. The band has suffered ns a result of the war, but recruiting has been general and the ranks are kept well filled. Concerning recruiting very good accounts lvieb me regarding the Oamaru Regimental Band. Last year the numbers bad fallen awav considerably owing to war service, but Bandmaster I«ox has been energetic in the matter or training recruits, with the result that at a repent parade the "'Old Redoubt ables "'turned o'ut over thirty, strong. Band competitions in England are suffering this year owing to the railway fares bein> T increased 50 per cent, lb ,vas thought that the July Belle Yue contest would be seriously affected. We are more lucky in this country m regard to railway fares, but our band contests have been put on one side ior two years. The Lancashire correspondent of " Musical Progress," June number, reported that Besses-o'-th'-Barn Band was in excellent playing form, but that its engagements were more or_less restricted. Owing to what was. stated to be a blunder on someone's part the famous band was not to be heard in tho Manchester parks during the concert season. Second-Lieutenant C. W. H. Foord, who died from wounds received while serving at the front in the machinegun section of tho Queen's, was the author of an instructive .series of articles on " Air pressures used in ing wind instruments" which appeared in recent numbers of Messrs Hawkes and Son's " Musical Progress."

Hon Major G. J. Miller, the wellknown British Army bandmaster, whoso retirement in consequence, of medical unfitness was recently announced, became a Bachelor of Music,v Cambridge. University, in. 1892. He has had a most interesting and successful service career, and, besides being honoured with the M.V.0., conferred by his Majesty King Edward in 1901, he possesses a conductor's baton in ivory and gold, presented by her Majesty Queen Victoria ; the Queen's Jubilee medal, 1887, and bar inscribed " 1897"; a photogravure of her Majesty presented •in 1898; and a. jewelled baton presented by King Edward in 1902. From "rl'.M. the. King of Portugal he received the Coronation Commemoration medal in 1903. He has held the honorary rank of major since May 14, 1914. The "Brass Band News" recently discussed the question of what was to be done, with boys concerning their future in the arts and crafts, and said: "What fihall become of those boys?" A lot is dependent on the boys themselves, but their future <is largely in the hands of their teachers. See to it that you lift up the veil of the future by showing to the boys what \t is possible for them to become. Stimulate them by citing examples of success which are to bo found in band work, as in all other circles. Convince them that success comes from within the man; that failure also comes from within, in spite, very often, of external conditions. Not every favourably circumstanced lad gains success in life, in his trade, his business, or his hobby; and, on tho other hand, unfavourable conditions cannot hold down the lad who has success within him. And see to it that none of th **: lads can say, with justice, later on. that his early teacher gave him neither knowledge nor inspiration. Give them a good foundation, .strive to make them thirst for knowledge, and stimulate them to seek lor if. Every teacher exercises an influence on the plastic mind of youth; see to it that your influence is for good.

DONT'S FOR SOME PLAYERS. Don't attempt to play artistically—it's only swank. Don't play tho notes correctly—that requires the us 0 of intelligence, entailing an mi necessary, mental 'effort. Don't differentiate between dotted and double-dotted noto-v--tho difference is s,o little that roallv it dov-su't ■ matter. Don't ploy softly when requested—why should you? Don't trouble yourself about expression marks- •the.y were only put; there by the, composer, and lie doesn't matter. Don't forget to anathematise the composer -wboji you come across anything that holds you up. Don't, take a part away to practiso prirately--tlie conductor might bo pleased, and the o tiller' follows think you a duffer. Don't practise; at home—only novices do that!. Don't use your «arß at any tiinio—they might lead you astray. Don't go and hear anyone who really can play—you might learn something. t Don't forget to play that favourite little pil?ludo of yours— if'& about all yon ever did practise. Don't look at your.instrument'before going into the practice room—it might require, attention, and 't would bo unfair k> attend to it in your own time. Don't forgot to growl when the. conductor calls for. jui extra, rehearsal—it's only for himself; vou don't need it. Don't try to please him—unless you are more' than ordinarily stupid, and have no chance of getting into'another band. Don't forget to glare at the other fellow when you mak.e wrong notes—that works .very well with some conductors; with others: it* is best to keep your eyes' fixed firmly on tho copy until tho atmosphere becomes clearDon't play any. more than you can possibly Kelp— if the' conductor' ha*