VETERAN BANDSMAN

Wanganui Chronicle, 27 February 1947, Page 4

VETERAN BANDSMAN

INVERCARGILL BAND’S TRIBUTE Before leaving their home town to take part in the championship band contest in Wanganui, the Invercargill Civic Band paid a visit to the home of Mr. J. H- Aldridge, who is at present confined to his bed. Mr. Aldridge was a bandsman foi 73 years, and belonged to one of the first bands formed in Central Otago, in 3861. A solo cornet player at 11 years of age, he represented the Clyde Band. Central Otago, for whom he won a solo cornet contest. Mr. Aldridge took part in a contest in Queenstown between the old Oamaru Garrison Band and the Invercargill Garrison Band, who were very keen competitors for many years. Both band’s held the premiership ol New Zealand at various times. The three sons of the veteran bandsman are all “chips off the old block" —they are all musicians of note, and proud to have inherited the musical gifts which singled their father out 1 as a “bandsman of yesterday.” The eldest son. Mr. A. H. Aldridge, resident in Invercargill, is a violinist, and M”. J- H. Aldridge, Jun., of Auckland, is a pianist, an accomplished I organist, and at one time nlaved the | trombone in the Invercargill Hiborma" Band | Mr. Vie. Aldridge is the youngest I* on. Ho has been well known in the i band world for many years, having [Played solo cornet for the St. Kild?* i Municipal Band. His name may strike chords in the memories of the people of Wanganui, as he y,as a member of the St. Kilda Municipal Band when they won the A era do championshin in Wanganui in 1929. Tn 1934 Vie Aldridge went to Australia with the Wools!on Bias’s Band, land played with them until some four months ago. Al the present time he is the conductor of Derry’s Military Band, 1 Christchurch, and is now playing solo cornet at the contest for the Blenheim Regimental and the Rangiora Brass Bands. Mr. J. H. Aldridge. Sen., has not laboured in vain, and bandsmen all over the country like to feel that they have d»’awn strength and musical appreciation from this bandsman of bandsmen.