The Featherston Town Band Concert.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1861, 23 July 1886, Page 3

The Featherston Town Band Concert.

This entertainment, which in the notices was rightly called “ The event of the season,” so far ns Feulln rston is concerned, came off last iiigbt, and its best wishers could not have desired a more thorough success. The Oddfellow’s Hall was taxed to its utmost capacity to accommodate the audience which congregated to support the undertaking initiated by (he gentlemen who foim the Town Band of Feathersten. The proceedings of the evening commenced by a selection played by the Band, and the most astonishing feature in the entertainment was the nodoabted proficiency of the performers who, under the able tuition of Mr Birrill, of Carterton, have proved themselves musicians cl more than ordinary merit. Of course the difficulty of the instructor has been reduced by the intelligence of the. members who have made the study of their parts purely a labour of love ; they have evidently practice» well and often and as they ait men filling leading positions in the town, and the spirit of emulation strongly pervades the body, they as a brass band, could not fail to achieve their object. The coaceri opened by the Band ,ably playing “ Turtle lioves,” after which the Misses M. and £, Haybittle sang the duet “ List to the Con▼«H Bells." Tbs Mieses Haybittie we

always duly welcomed by a Feithorston audience and their kind exertions never fail i i draw the hearty plaudits of the assemblages there. After the Ouct Mr Black, of Greytown, appeared and sang in giand voice ‘The Gallants of England of course Mr Black's performances are of too masterly a description to require any further comment from the Press in the Wairarapa, as it is well-known throughout the valley that no concert is complete without bis contributions. After Mr Black had delighted the audience Mies A. Tocker rendered “ Won’t you tell me Why, liobin ” in the sweetest of voices, which indeed did not receive full justice from the defective acoustic properties of the hall; the time has now come fur the Featherston people to consider the necessity for enlarging their public building. After the baud bad played in splendid time and modulation “ See the Clouds are gently Breaking ” Miss Cbrystall made her amateur debut and sang in an able manner “Happy Dreamland,” this lady will no doubt become a valued acquisition to the ranks of our local entertainers. Messrs Birriil and Sparks were to have played a cornet duet, but the first-named gentleman met with a severe accident yesterday while endeavouring to catch bis horse, by being kicked in the face by that animal, consequently he could only direct the Band by mosions and could not use his instrument. Mr Cornwall, of Woodside however appeared, and danced the “ Sailor’s hornpipe ” iu perfect style to the accompaniment of Mr Parker on the piano. Daring the evening Mr J. H. Parker rendered valuable assistance by playing the accompaniments, and afterwards some of the dance music. Mr Stevenson's advent was the signal for several rounds of applause, and when he had sung “ The Anchor’s Weighed’’ in his usual fiue style, the audience appeared in ecstasy, and he bad to return. Our mutual friend, Mr Connell, of Waibakeke, was next set down on the programme for a comic song; that gentleman was unavoidably absent, but Miss M. Haybittle sang very nicely, “ Remember Me.” Mr James Donald, the chairman, then announced a five minutes’interval, after which the Band again appeared and performed the “ Daybreak Waltz" as well and perfectly as possible. Messrs Stevenson and Black sang the time revered duet, “ All’s Well,” and the rendition was faultless; then Miss Cbrystal reappeared and gave “ Katie’s Letter” in a manner that would have even delighted the mythical Katie. She was rapiuronsly encored, and then sang, “ Mo, dir," iu a naive and pretty manner. The Misses M. and £. Haybittle next sang the duet, “ Friendship,” and were heartily applauded. The Town Baud then performed “ Does Your Heart Beat True to Me,” after which Mr Stevenson gave, “ Still I Love Thee,” which evoked an encore, and he then favored the company with the grand song, " Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep.’’ Miss A. Tocker sang very clearly and die* tinctlv 11 The Broken Pitcher ” and the richly deserved encore elicited from that lady “ Such was be;” the audience would fain have brought her back again but the usual conventionalities of such entertainments would not allow it. Messrs Black and Stevenson then electrified their listeners with the pretty duet “ Heart’s Delight;” and finally Mr Black rang out in most excellent voice and music the happily conceived and good humored composition called “ Liberty Hall.” The pelformers tbeu assembled on the stage aud alternately with the band and audience terminated the concert with the National An them. The house was crowded. Ll6 14s fid was taken at the doors for the concert alone, and the Band who are a credit to their district received the recognition from their townsmen that their diligence and competence merits ; the instructor should be eminently proud of bis pupils. The Baud is composed as follows Messrs C. MacShane aud J. T. Bodder, Ist cornets ; J. Riddick, 2nd cornet; J. J. Wilson, tenor born; H. Fry, ditto ; J. Fry, euphonium ; W. Hodder and R. Barton, baritones; M. Tait bass; C. Morgan side drum ; J. Birrel leader. Messrs Cornwall and Sparks rendered good assistance. The larrikin element in the gallery was troublesome and should be suppressed; probably they do not know the puuisbment that would attach under a recent Act for disturbing a public gathering. The dance which followed the concert was well attended* and the insufficient accommodation in the hall was then painfully apparent. Mr R. Barton made, as usual, a most efficient M.C.