NEW ZEALAND BANDS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 25 February 1935, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND BANDS

CONTEST AT TIMARU.

MR R. J. YOUNG’S IMPRESSIONS,

Representing the Masterton Municipal Band, Mr R. J. Young (conductor) visited Timaru, returning yesterday. M - Young stated, in conversation with a “Daily Times’’ representative, that the contest was a great success, and that the Timaru citizens did everything possible to make the visit of the various bands most enjoyable.

Mr Young was able to hear the final test of the B grade, A grade, and nearly all the bands in the quick-step. In the B grade there was some good _ work done, especially by those finishing at the top end, Greymouth being particularly good. In the A grade again there was not much between bands like Timaru, St. Hilda and Port Nicholson. These were outstanding. St. Hilda gave a fine rendering of the difficult test piece, “Comedy,” by Dr. John Ireland. Mr Young is of the opinion that this is the most difficult test ever set for bands in New Zealand. In the quick- . step, St. Hilda again gave a splendid exhibition of marching and truly deserved their win.

In the B grade a decided improvement is apparent in quick-step work, said Mr Young. The annual conference, held last Friday, was quite the best he had attended. Everything passed.off as it should, harmoniously and expeditiously. A remit submitted by the Masterton Band, and also by Invercargill Civic, that the prize money be increased, was favourably received and adopted, stated Mr Young. An important item in the matter of announcing decisions after the first night’s tests in both grades was made. For the future the position of the first three bands will be announced '(no points) after each competition, instead of withholding all announcements until the two tests are completed. No less than three applications were received from North Island towns for tho next contest—Palmerston, Wanganui and New Plymouth, stated Mr Young. New Plymouth was granted the privilege chiefly owing to the fact that it was so many years since a contest was held there, while the other towns have had contests meanwhile.