BRASS BAND TEST POSTPONED

Wanganui Chronicle, 16 February 1949, Page 6

BRASS BAND TEST POSTPONED

Wet Weather; Further Solo Placings AUCKLAND, Last Night (P.A.) — Because of wet weather the first test selection in the championship class of the New Zealand Brass Zand Championship, which was to have been held at Blandford Park tonight, was postponed. This contest will now be held on Thursday night, and the second test selection in the same class! has been altered to Friday night. Visiting bandsmen carried only one uniform and because they had no means of drying their clothes it had been necessary to postpone the contest, said Mr. T. P. Laffey, president ■ of the Auckland Band Contest Com-! mittee. High praise for a 14-year-old member of the Palmerston North City Sil-; ver Band was given by Mr, A. H. Baile, visiting Australian conductor and bandsman. The competitor was M. Francis, who gained second place with 90 points in the euphonium soio contest. “It was a great shock to me to find this boy had gained second place,” said Mr. Baile. “Although I did not know who the player was at the time one of my comments for Francis was that it was not a perfect performance It was really a grand job for so young a player. Today's' results, with judges’ comments, were:— Euphonium Solo: The performances were as good as anything in Australia, said Mr. Baile. New Zealand could evidently produce more good euphonium players than Australia. Need for intense thought in preparation hours was stressed by the judge. Two or three players stood out head and shoulders above the others because of the time and thought they had put in before their performances. This had made them champions. Placings: J. Rafferty (Greymouth Municipal) 92, 1; M. Francis < Palmerston North City Silver Band) 90, 2; D. Newth • Palmerston North Garrison) 88, 3. Bb Cornet Solo (amateur): This cqntest had produced some very fine playing from unexpected quarters, said .Mr. T. Goodall, One or two items were brilliant and a number of others would have been in that class also nad the players not failed in vital parts. The winner had given an outtahding performance and the second ompetitor had not been far behind. The third player had rendered the •oveliest introduction and theme he nad ever heard, but had not been able :o maintain the quality. None of the first ten or 12 should feel ashamed it not being in the first three. Placngs: D Christensen (Woolston) 95 points, 1; L. Downes (Auckland Watersiders) 93, 2; T. McKie (Queen Alexandra) 92, 3. Tenor Horn Solo: There had been a much higher standard in the afternoon playing than in the morning, said Mr. J. D. Goffin. Very few players produced a really sweet horn tone and several spoilt their quality with too much vibrato. Lack of a sense of rhythm was the main fault and competitors should study their piece of music for correct rhythmic pulse. The winner, although he did not give a perfect performance, had revealed amazing technique. His was a well deserved victory. Those in the second and third positions gave mature con-

trihutions, Placings: S. Cowie (Havvera Municipal) 92 points. 1; S. T. Smith «St. Kilda) 90, 2; F. T. Oimrod (Wellington Watersiders) 69, 3.