WANGANUI GARRISON BAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 68, 22 March 1938, Page 9

WANGANUI GARRISON BAND

TO-MORROW NIGHT’S ENTERTAINMENT. One of the outstanding concerts of the year will be staged at the Wanganui Opera House to-morrow night as a testimonial to the Wanganui Garrison Band and as a welcome home. Circumstances were such that a welcome home from the recent contest at Palmerston North could not be afforded the band at an earlier date. In the first place several members were suffering under the strain of a bereavement and others general strain arising from a contest surrounded by most unusual circumstances. The function was originally set down for last week, but in order not to clash with the efforts of the St. Patrick's Day concert committee the concert was postponed until tomorrow night. A ready response was forthcoming to requests for assistance and the programme t * be staged will be the best in years. The band, under the baton of Mr. R. Francis, will render the hymn selection, "New Rochdale,” and the march selection, "Harlequin,” with both of which the band won at the recent New Zealand contest. Mr. R. Trownson, the New Zealand champion flugel horn player, ano. Mr. J. Hickman, the runner-up in the baritone championship, will play their contest pieces. The Kaiwhaiki and Putiki Young Maori Party will appear in charming numbers, including that picturesque and descriptive number, "Waiata-Poi.” The children from the Aramoho Convent will repeat the number, "Little Irish Colleen,” which proved so popular at the Opera House at the St. Patrick's Night concert, and lite team of ladies from McKenzie's, Ltd., which won Ihe interhouse display at Cook's Gardens recently will be seen in marching evolutions. The Repertory Players will provide a humorous sketch, "The Language Problem,” with Messrs. C. S. Brown, F. H. Wilkie, and P. S. Latham in the cast. Vocal items will be given by Miss Merle Spurdie, Miss Lydia Fennell, little Shirley Smith, who will also appear in a character duet with Trevor Trengrove; Messrs. P ranklyn-Browne, and W. Thompson arc to contribute. An elocutionary number will be given by Miss Phyllis Taylor. Dance numbers of a novel nature will ho presented by Pal Davis, Thelma. Davidson, Phyllis Margctto' Joan Abraham, Theresa Griflin, and young Mark Fisher, of Wellington, whose lap dancing is said to be a levelation, and last, but by no means least, our old friends, "Mick” Darby and Bob Howell will provide humorous interludes. Mrs. S. Kendall will act as official accompanist, and the stage management will be in the hands of Messrs. P. Latham and Geo. Allen.

During the evening, His Worship the Mayor (Mr. W. J. Rogers) will lake the opportunity of welcoming the band after its successes at the contese, and it is expected that Mr. Mumford, the Mayor of Palmerston North, will also bo present. The plans are at. the D.I.C.