THE GARRISON BAND ENTERTAINMENT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 1814, 22 July 1891, Page 3

THE GARRISON BAND ENTERTAINMENT.

The grand musical and military entertainment given by the Dunedin Garrison Band, assisted by the Orpheus Bellringers, in the Town Hall on Saturday night was a pronounced success. The state of the weather prevented the kind of house the entertainment deserved; but, taking all the drawbacks caused by the weather into consideration, there was a very fair attendance. All the vocal and instrumental performances were well received; while the selections by the Band, it hardly needs saying, were in every respect perfect, and sustained the high reputation ifc enjoys. The overture, " Lac o"e Fees," was a fine exhibition of instrumental skill, and fairly captivated the audience. The selection, " Life on the Ocean," was also a capital performance and was warmly applauded. The clarionet solo by Sergeant George was a perfect treat to listen to, and was rewarded as it deserved to be by a hearty round of applause. The euphonium solo by Mr R. Cook was also exquisitely rendered, and was appropriately acknowledged by the audience. The performance of the Bellringers quite took the house by surpi'ise, and they had to respond to repeated encores. After hearing the Faust Family people were naturally inclined not to look for too much from amateurs, whose fame was very much of a local character and confined principiilly to Dunedin. But the general opiuion was that they were little, if at all, behind the talented company just referred to. They manipulated their bells with the ease aud skill of professionals, and produced a melody of jingling sounds, correct as to time, and delightful in tone. The vocal items, too, by some of the company were excellently rendered. Mr E. Eagar, who has a good tenor voice, sang with fine effect " The Death of ITelson " and received an encore. Mr T. Gillies sang " Eilleen Allannah" and also acted as substitute for Mr Watts, who was indisposed, acquitting himself in a very creditable manner. The Swan' Brothers also acquitted themselves very well, aud put the audience in capital humour. They sang songs, cracked jokes, and fired off a few smart conundrums, and succeeded in driving the small boy element into ecstacies of uproarious delight. On the whole the entertainment was a crowning success as far as winning the public appreciation was concerned, the pity of it was that the weather was not moi'e propitious so as to permit of better results financially. ISTow that the Band has so effectually succeeded in popularising itself, the experiment might be repeated at a more seasonable period of the year. We understand that some of the members of the Band are agreeable to pay Lawrence another visit during the ensuing summer and repeating their entertainment ; and should they do so we believe they may confidently reckon on a bumper house.