BAND CONTEST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 41, 18 February 1932, Page 8

BAND CONTEST

ADJUDICATOR ARRIVES | OUTSTANDING CAREER. WELLINGTON, Feb. 16. The adjudicator for the New Zealand Band Contest, Mr. J. J. Kelly, arrived from Sydney this morning by the Ulimaroa. Mr. Kelly is conductor of the Hamilton Citizens’ Band, which is the champion band of the Commonwealth. In the last championship, the Hamilton Band obtained 98 and 99 points out of a possible 100. ‘‘We are very proud of our record,’ ’ said Mr. Kelly. ‘‘ln the last five championships we have won on three occasions, and on the two occasions we have lost by one point only. At the recent championship we were up against Mr. Bails, who will be remembered as the conductor of the Newcastle Steel Band, which was successful in England. This was Mr. Baile’s first appearance siirce his return home. ’ ’ Mr. Kelly said that the Australian bands were flourishing at the present time, and some of them were recognised as among the finest in the world. This view has been. Expressed by several leading English musicians, including Dr. Jenkins, who had judged the contest in Australia last year. Mr. Kelly has acted as adjudicator in practically every State in Australia. He was the judge at the Centenary Contest in Perth, and has acted in a similar capacity at important festivals in South Australia, Queensland, and Victoria. As an arranger of brass band music he stands pre-eminent, in Australia, and his compositions, which are frequently used in band contests, have been published in both Eng and and the Commonwealth. Air. Kelly is not only associated witn qrass banns, but has also arranged orchestral and choral works, and is a well-known conductor of orchestras and choirs. Commenting on a performance of the “Messiah” under his baton the Bulletin stated that no finer performance had been heard in Sydney, not excepting the Sheffield Choir. . , . . Mr. Kelly received his musical training in Edinburgh, and studied for some time under the late Alexander Owen who toured New Zealand _ with the Besses of the Barn. This IS hisfirst visit to New Zealand, but he had heard New Zealand bands well spoken of >n Now South Wales, and was anticipating some fine playing. From his remarks one could gauge that in a band s performance he looked for artistic playing “I like to see freedom of intoipretation and musical intelligence,” said Mr. Kelly. ‘‘l look for ottL <l uantlt y and quality in tone, bitt the tone must also be flexible. There must bo something in the playing apart from the paper and ink of the ■composition.