HOW THE BANDS PLAYED

Wanganui Chronicle, 10 March 1947, Page 4

HOW THE BANDS PLAYED

(By

"Loch Lomond.")

The following notes on the A grade bands’ playing may be of Interest to the public and ot value to the respective bands:— Canterbury Caledonian Society (Drum-Major L. N. Bilcliff; PipeMajor C. Gibson): This band is actually a B grand band, and considering tlie clas s tney were competing against they acquitted themselves well. A skirled pipe marred the opening. Their's was a stirring selection, played with feeling. Manawatu Scottish Society (DrumMajor R. Matheson; Pipe-Major G. E. Pilcher): A double note at the start. Band nicely compact, but the tone might have had more body. Smooth changes. A satisfying performance Ruahin« Highland (Drum-Major G. Peters; Pipe-Major D. Peters): A sour pipe detracted from the general effect of this band, which played with imagination, if anything .the drummere were catru’c too liiitch away, and as tlie selection advanced were putting in a little toe much vim. Finish ot the reel was spoilt by faulty timing. City of Christchurch (Drum-Majoi T. A. Gordon; Pipe-Major J. A. Patterson): Beat anticipated by a pipet. Drones kept good time and were nicely volumed. Rich tone well maintained. Drums effectively used. Changes clean. The band handled its pieces with the spirit for which these wer„ written. The march, “DrumMajor Newton,” was particularly well handled, as was to be expected, as it was composed by the pipe-major in honour of a It: met drum-major of the band. Burns (Drum-Major A. J. Adamson; Pipe-Major P. L. Kellcp): Band sounded a trifle shrill, perhaps because theie was not the usual strength of pipers. Staccoto on the drums in the inarch. Good pace in the reel, but finish not rounded. General effect pleasing. Wanganui (Drum-Major D. A. Almend; Pipe-Major E. C. Morgan): Opening could have been clearer. Rich in tone, and with the drones keeping good time. Good arum selection. A slight lag .n the changes. The march was the best tune in this selection, for in the strathspey and reel the bass (Humming was o 1 file heavy side. Hamilton Caledonian (Drum-Major K. McAllum; Pipe-Major S. Clothier) : A r.icely-blended combination, rich in tone. Excellent drumming work in the slow march. A slight break in the change to th e march. An invigorating lift in the march. Jolly playing of the strathspey, but again a break when beginning th e reel, which was a happy piece. Timaru (Drum-Majon A. D. Stewart; Pipe-Major D. H. Cormack): Opening bar not cleanly hit. This hand had 18 pipers, and thi s may account for the liming being a little shaky, outstanding drumming in the slow march

Hawera (E'rtiti-Major J. R. Nairn; Pipe-Major N. Watt): Ragged opening. A skirl in the slow air cost points. The playing was slightly on the thin side. Changes were not very smooth, but when the band hit its stride it played crigh'.iy.

18-YEAR-OLD DRUM-MAJOR WINS A GRADE STAFF SWINGING WANGANUI PLACED SECOND. Original and spectacular swinging of the staff, executed smoothly and confidently, gave. 18-year-old Evan Musgrove < drurn-major St. Andrew's College), first place in th e A grade staff swinging, held oi Saturday afternoon. Wanganui (Drum-Major D. A. Almond) was placed second, 24 points behind, as a result of a diversified selection of evolutions neatly executed. City of Christchurch (Drum-Major T. A. Gordon) was third. Thi s demonstration was marked by tlie best throw. Manawatu Scottish (Drum-Major R. Matheson) put up a good performance during the concluding stages, but a dropped stuff early in the piece, ruined its chances. Evan Musgrove, the winner, was eligible for the B grade staff-swinging on Friday, but handed over to his younger brother, John, who was placed third. Tauranga (Drum-Major J. M. Crocker), winner of the B grade on Friday, gave an exhibition ot his prowess but, perhaps because of using a different staff, the perfotmance. although good, was not a s thrilling as that which won him the event. Placings for the A grade staff swinging were: St. Andrew's (Drum-Major E. W. Musgrove) 454 Wanganui (Drum-Major D. A. Almond) 43 City of Christchurch (DrumMajor T A. Gordon) 414 Manawatu Scottish Society (Drum-Major R. Matheson) 424 Burns (Drum-Major A. J. Adamson) « 381 Timaru (Drum-Major A. D. Stewart) 384