BAND CONTEST

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXV, Issue 3291, 6 April 1935, Page 5

BAND CONTEST

FIXTURE AT TE AROHA MEMBERS OF AN EARLIER- EVENT Great interest is being evinced in the coming- South Auckland Band Contest to bo held in Te Aroha during Easter and at which the Cambridge Municipal Band will compete. The contest will not be tlio initial one held lit Te Aroha, but the first band? competition was held so many years ago that it is not within the remembrance of many of the local residents, states rbo Te. Aroha News, which is indebted to a citizen of many years’ standing, and who ranks as a bandsman of note, for the following particulars of a contest held there on Anniversary Day, -Taunt, ary 29th, IS9S. A large entry of brass bands wai T confidently expected, but when th«j eventful day arrived tliose turning up were the Waihi, Coromandel and Tu Aroha bands. Mr C. Trussell, the wellknown bandmaster and composer ot band music, acted as. judge on the occasion, so it went without saying thaf the position was very capably filled. The contest items consisted of twtf own .choice selections, and solo competitions for the following instruments’: Euphonium, tenor horn, trombone and cornet. The Waihi Band avus under the able condactorship of Mr J. MeMinn, a well-known bandmaster from the West Coast of the South Island, and it is worthy of note that Mr A. E. Cooke, father of the famous All Black Rugbyitc, was the solo cornctist. Mr J. French, a very line cornet player, conducted tlie Coromandel Band, while Mr George Buchan, a former member of the Te Aroha Band, and brother to Mr L. Buchan, was solo trombonist. The Te Aroha Band was under the baton of Mr Ciiarles Lawn, who later had the distinction of being runner-up in Ihfl New Zealand championship for cornel solos. : - Playing Members The playing members of the Te Aroha Barnl were: Messrs G. Frith, B, Pearson, B. Flatt, J. Craig, G. Sherlock, G. Deverell, Fred Lawn, Ben Lawn, J. Beere, W. Mackie, G. Mackie, B. Mackio, J. Button, (an uncle of the famous airwoman), P. Faes, E. Patterson, and last in. this list, but not least, the now veteran player, L. Buchan. The widely anticipated contest way held in the Domain, the judges’ tentbeing situated near the present band rotunda, while the bands played wher<f the lower bowling green now has prideof place. First place in the order of the programme was drawn by Te Aroha and their tests pieces were “Austral” and ‘‘The Fair Maid of Perth'. Although small.in numerical strength the play was deemed. highly, meritorious. Coromandel followed with their test pieces, “Gems of Albion” and “ Maritana,” and the playing was, accorded a very hearty reception by tha concourse of listeners. Unfortunatciy, however, rain began to fall while tha second selection was being played, and increased by the time the Waihi play ers lined up for their contributions, which were “Gems of Columbia” and “Torquato Tasso.” Waihi the Winners '.L'. The rendition of the first selection was very fine throughout, and Waihi wore soon acclaimed the winners by the assemblage. Then the wind; increased to -gale, force, and ; the pi ay ershad great difficulty in keeping their music stands in position. The- second selection had to be played in the 1 üb* lie Hall, as the rain commenced.to fall in torrents. In his remarks the judge heartily complimented the three bandyon their meritorious-playing, and announced the awards: Waihi I, Coio mandel 2, Te Aroha 3. The solo competitions were held, irf the evening and were very keenly con* tested. Mr G. Hardman (Waihi) was successful in the tenor horn, C. Lawn (To Aroha) in the cornet, B. Lawn ( f J> Aroha) trombone, and F. Lawn (Ttf Aroha) in the euphonium solos. At the conclusion of the contest, which was deemed to be highly successful and a rare musical treat for the public, the massed bands played ‘the march,' “Te Aroha,” which had been specially composed for tlie occasion by the eminent judge, Mr W. Hill, now 1 of Rotorua, was secretary to the contest committee, and Mr ; S. L. Hirst supervisor. ? "LJ A Since that. time. 37 years have passed and at Easter .time the public front a--' very wide area will have the pleasure, of listening to no loss than 12 band* of full numerical strength. The renditions are sure to be of a high grade character, for under very capable instructors practices have been faithfully attended for several weeks. For threedays the public will have the opportunity of listening to musical treats to n degree never previously experienced in this district the News concludes.