WOOLSTON BEATEN IN A GRADE TEST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18091, 26 February 1927, Page 2

WOOLSTON BEATEN IN A GRADE TEST.

QUEEN ALEXANDRA’S OWN HAS COMFORTABLE WIN. (Special to the "Star.’ ) WELLINGTON. February 25. Fine weather and a huge attendance greeted the bands of A grade for the plaving of the second test selection, “ Gounod.” It is a splendid brass band selection, as good probably as has ever been heard in New Zealand as a test number. Most of the music is fairly well known, especially the excerpts from "Faust." which include the brilliant "Jewel Song,” in which all the cornets excelled, several displaying exceeding artistry. A synopsis of the work shows the following :—” 'Gainst the Power of Evil” (Fau*t); cornet recit.. “ I Wish I Could But Know ” ("Faust”); "The Calf of Gold’* ("Faust”); for euphonium, "Hast Thou Seen” ("La Reine de Saba”); for trombone. the “ Jewel Song ” ("Faust”): for cornet trio, "Holy Angel,” “ Death v of Valentine ” ("Faust”): for euphonium, duet, “To Part is Such Sweet Sorrow ” (“ Romeo and Juliet”), the "Foundry Scene.” "Now the Billows of Flame” ("La Reine de Saba”), and finale from "Mirella.’' The selection is highly dramatic and requires a fine team of both soloists and ensemble players. The rendering by all the bands was really good, the leading performances being especially inspiring. The bands drew to play in the following order:—Wanganui Garrison. Queen Alexandra’s Own, St Kilda Municipal, Woolston. Kaikorai, Port Nicholson, Wellington Tramways, Greymouth Municipal and Ist Canterbury Mountcds (Ashburton). HOW THE BANDS PLAYED. Wangamti Garrison (conductor, Watson)- —A great opening, full, and depicting the dramatic mood finely. A transition passage for the bass end of the band was not quite level in intonation, and there were a few flaw's in this way and in lip mishits during the general rendering. All ensembles were grand, and operatic treatment nicely in evidence. Cornet work brilliant in the " Jewel Song.” Trombone and euphonium good, except that the trombone smudged a passage in his cadenza. Soprano’ cornet put in telling work. The work in the operatic finale, " Margerita Awaiting Her Doom in Prison,” was wonderfully fine. Splendid euphonium playing was forthcoming in the part portraying Valentine’s death, and in a later cadenza, and the solo playing was successful. Excellent band work was heard in the “ Morelia “ overture finale. A worthy performance of the old-time Wanganui champions.^ Queen Alexandra’s Own, Wanganui (conductor, G. Buckley).—As on the first evening, this band opened very, solidly and well in tune. Care marked the general performance where more abandon would, perhaps, have been appropriate. The rendering no doubt was very fine from a band viewpoint, but it fell a little short in the operatic sense. Great work was in evidence in all sections, and intonation was always commendable. A few little lip flaws were noticeable, not serious, however The performance of the "Jewel Song" was very fine, but again it did not suggest the operatic conception, it was kept too straight. The speed was semew’hat slow. Basses splendid and euphonium and trombone good in their work The performance was musical and careful. with a smart and exhilarating end ing, St Kilda Municipal (conductor, J. Dixon).—A splendid band opening of the dashing order. As viewed from the operatic standpoint the tempo was hurried. The effect was very fine, as it was in " The Calf of Gold ” for euphonium, in which also a somewhat fast tempo was set, but the band never relaxed its grip, and the more brilliant the rendering the better the bandsmen rose to their task. The "Jewel Song” was splendid technically, and so was all the solo and ensemble work, the latter being always dashing. Viewed from operatic standards more restraint was needed. The superabundance of con abandon spirit might have gone to the previous band with advantage. The ending was a great piece of band work. Woolston (conductor, R Estall).- A magnificent opening, well in keeping with the subject. Massive tone of richest quality, and intonation all that could be desired. The transition barf were excellent, clearing the wav for a characteristic rendering of the " Calf of Gold ” by the euphonium. The succeeding trombone solo from “ La Reine de Saba ” was expressively sung by the trombonist. Superb playing of cornet and the whole band was forthcoming in the “ Jewel Song.” The succeeding movement received high dramatic treatment. Grand band work all along and operatic to a degree as far as a brass band can portray opera. The rubato touches throughout the work were in good taste and the performance was inspiring. The last movement was of an electrical character. There was just a few minor lip flaws detectable, the only detractions from a noble rendering of a grand selection. Kaikorai (conductor, Franklin).— Opening of the dashing order, rather too fast considering the subject, but the succeeding movement, depicting Margherita in her home, was in quieter vein, musical and operatic in style. The " Calf of Gold ” was also speedy, brilliant band work predominating. The euphonium declaimed the solo well and the trombone was expressive in Pascal’s number from “ La Reine de Saba,” but the cadenza was not flawless. The beautiful " Jewel Song ” needed a touch of abandon to ensure complete success, otherwise it was finely portrayed. The prison scene and great ensembles were noble pieces of band interpretation and plaving. The tone of the band was lighter than that of Woolston. A few ragged notes were heard, though the work. The finale was brilliant. A very fine all-round rendering. Port'Nicholson Silver Band (conductor. Johnston).-A somewhat hurried opening, but effects all very fine and tone big and massive. Margherita s home music was very sweet and the. touch of suppressed excitement at Faust's attention neatly portrayed The " Calf of Gold ” movement for euphon ium and ensemble band went well. A capital piece of brass band work. The trombone produced a full. warm, singing tone in the “ La Reine de Saba " excerpt. The cornet solo received traditional treatment with expressive tone, vibrating with colour and life There was a little unfortunate mixing in the, “ Faust ” finale, and a few mishits were heard, just causing slight jarring ef fects The euphonium solo work and death of Valentine were well in keep ing with the subject. The tenor horn W T a"s pretty in his solo from “ Romeo and Juliet." and the duet and concertos were beautifully portrayed The finale from " Morelia " was smart. Generally the rendering was of a brilliant order. Wellington Tramways (conductor, H. Berry),—The opening movement was in fast tempo, considering the subject, but the band workmanship was good. Tonal quality and intonation both very pleasing. The euphonium excelled in the " Calf of Gold ” movement and trombone and cornet were effective in their i solos, the '* Jewel Song " being portrayed brilliantly. The big chorus move- * merits were dramatic and the whole performance was meritorious Greymouth Municip * (conductor. A ij M Masters).- An opening in quieter vain thaja that of some of fab* big-

toned combinations that preceded this band. Playing very precise and the lights and shades all admirably observed. Intonation always commendably level. Solos by trombone and euphonium very neat, and ensembles also received refined treatment. The “ Jewel Song ” was played expressively by a chastc-toned cornetist, with neat obbligato by he soprano. This band was well balanced and neat in accompanying parts. A good performance Ist Canterbury Mounted Rifles. Ashburton (conductor. Lieutenant IV. H. Osborne). —Opening somewhat fast, but fine band work and nice tonal quality. Margherita's home scene prettily depicted and the suppressed excitement of the heroine effectively suggested. The ’ Calf of Gold ” was treated in good operatic style and the following heavy ensemble given with full musical one. Solo work good, especially the " Jewel Song." which was the best rendering of the evening probably from an operatic viewpoint. An all-round good standard performance.

THE AGGREGATE First prize £l4O. second £BS. third £SO, fourth £3O, fifth £ls.

QUARTETTE COMPETITION. Of forty quartette parties entered, only six played, for some reason not explained. Woolston No. 1 party, which would prove hard to beat in any case, won. scoring 90 points. The party comprised Tregilgas and Barbour (cornets'. Wilson (tenor-horn', and Hughes euphonium). St Kilda was an honourable second, onlv one point away, and then followed Woolston No 2 88. Dan nevirke 84. Petone Citizens 83. and Invercargill Citizen- 82 The contest will be brought to a close to-day with the quickstep cornpc tition in the afternoon If the weather is fine it is anticipated that 25.000 people will assemble at Athletic Park In the evening the Champion of Champions solo will take place, and the presentation of prizes. RESULTS. Following are the results of the day’s events:— QUARTETTE. "The Minister ” Woolston Band. t-H points 1 St Kilda (Dunedin), 90 points .... 2 A GRADE SELECTION. Second Test. “ Gounod." Queen Alexandra's Own, £4O ! Woolston, £2O -2 St Kilda. £lO 3 Wanganui Garrison. £5 4 AGGREGATES. Queen Alexandra’s Own, 182. £l4O 1 Kaikorai, 170, £BS 2 Woolston. 168. £SO 3 Grevmouth Municipal 165 £3O .... 4 St Kilda (Dunedin*. 164. £ls ,5 Best Cornet and Euphonium -Queen Alexandra's Own.

1st 2nd test test. Tl. Queen Alexandra's Own 90 92 182 Kaikorai 88 82 170 VVoolston SO 88 168 Greymouh Municipal . . so 79 165 St Kilda 78 so. 104 Port Nicholson Silver . . 77 84 161 Wanganui Garrison .... First Canterburv Ash76 So 161 burton 76 83 139 Wellington Tramways . 75 SI 136