GREAT PRAISE FOR CORNET PLAYER

Wanganui Chronicle, 18 February 1949, Page 5

GREAT PRAISE FOR CORNET PLAYER

Championship Won Again By K. G. Smith, Jnr.

AUCKLAND, Last Night (PA).— With 41 points out of a possible 42, K. G. Smith Jun. won the B flat cornet championship open for the second successive year at the New Zealand Brass Bands Contest. He retains the Bud Wills Memorial Challenge Shield. Only 18 years of age, Smith earned the praise of the judges for the standard of his playing. His confidence on the stage impressed the large audience and he created mild surprise when playing music on one side he played a selection from ear. This was considered to be a big advantage and was no doubt a factor in the cornetist’s success. Smith is a member of a notable family of musicians. He won the Bb cornet championship for the first time at the Dunedin centennial contest last year. His father is bandmaster of the St. Kilda Municipal Band, and his uncle, Mr. W. Smith, was a former bandmaster of the Auckland Watersiders Band. He is now waiting to go to England to fulfil a three-year contract to write band music. Mr. A. H. Baile, one of the judges, referred to the test selection for the cornet championship as fairly simple but presenting some difficulties for players in some places. “I listened to three very fine performances,” he said, referring to the placed competitors. “When I look for champions I look for somebody to score between 96 and 100 points. If I get such a competitor I think he is a possible winner. I had one who scored 98 points today, and two others who were in the nineties.” Commenting on the general standard reached at the contest so far. Mr Baile, who has had wide experience in bands in Australia, said: “I think you have more good bandsmen than we have and also have more potential champions coming along.” He added that the standard in the cornet championship was as good as he had seen anywhere. Results, with judges’ comments, were:— Trombone Triqj Explaining that the winning trio and the one placed second played two different pieces of music, the judge, Mr Baile, said they showed great individuality. They were definite champions and provided a fitting climax to, a good contest, being the last two contestants. Placings. Auckland Watersiders’ Silver Band, 92 points, 1; Wellington Waterside Silver Band, 86 points. 2; Ashburton Silver Band, 85 points,

B Flat Cornet Championship (Open): K. G. Smith (St. Kilda Municipal Band), 41 pts., 1; K. Caldwell (Hawera Municipal Band). 39 pts., .?; N. G. Coffin (Woolston Brass band), 31 pts., 3. The first test seelction was held Opnight, and will be followed by the second test selection tomorrow evening. Results will hen be announced.