THE JUDGING. AT THE. CONTEST.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXI, Issue 12096, 15 February 1907, Page 5

THE JUDGING. AT THE. CONTEST.

THE NEWCASTLE BANDS RECORD.

SOME SUGGESTIONS.

In view of the large amount of criticism of Lieutenant Bentley's- judging at the Exhibition Band Contest, a "Herald" reporter yesterday waited on Mr Edgar Nicholas, who, having Tecently arrived from Ballarat, the chief musical city of Australia, is well acquainted with matters musical in that part of the world, where he has taken a prominent part in the annual competitions. In regard to Mr Bentley, Mr Nicholas said they had" him as judge at the Ballarat band contest for three years in succession, the principal reason for appointing a successor being that it was thought he might get to know the bands' playing too well and be able to recognise them. As far as his ability as a judge is concerned, none of the judges from the Old Country have given more satisfaction than Mr Bcntley has, and, said Mr Nicholas, "I have been at all the band contests in Ballarat, whore the principal bands in Australia compete. We have had Messrs Ord-Hume, Wade, and Beard from England, but, speaking generally, Mr Bcntley has given equal satisfaction in Ballarat with these gentlemen." Mr Nicholas confessed to being surprised at four bands being placed equal in Christchurch. It may have been a coincidence, but it should not be possible that four should come out equal. Of course, he remarked, no matter who the judge is, there is sure to be some dissatisfaction, and it is impossible to satisfy every one of the 30 bands. No doubt the conditions prevailing at the Christchurch contest would affect some of the bands, especially the late hour at which some ot them played. It was not fair to any band to ask it to play so late, and it was too much to ask of any judge to go on iill i 2 o'clock in the morning. In the Ballarnt musical competitions, he had put forward a suggestion, which was adopted, that in classes where there were a large numer of entries there should be two or three judges, aud this had given satisfaction. In regard to the Christchurch Contest, Mr Nicholas thought the bands should have been graded into A and B classes, as is being done in Australia. There are many second-class bands who cannot hope to compete in such a contest, and they only get disheartened by their want of success. This move in Australia had made brass band playing very much more popular, and had brought many out who would not otherwise dream of competing. It was fine employment for a young fellow's time, and would do much to foster band playing, which already had been developed to a surprising extent in New Zealand. With regard to the Newcastle Band, Mr Nicholas was rather surprised at their position in the first test selection, even though they were only a couple of points behind Wanganui. Wanganui was a magnificent band, but he thought they would have had a bigger job to beat the Australian combination, especially as the latter played "William Tell." Newcastle had won. on this selection for years, till finally they were barred from playing it. In 1899 the band secured second place at the Melbourne contest, and- in 1901 won first prize and the championship of Australia at the Ballarat contest. The next year the band repeated its success at Ballarat, winning the championship, tieing for first place in the march competition, and taking the Smythe Cup for the highest aggregate of points at the contest. The band also attended a contest at Bathurst in 1902, and tied for first place in the selection contest, and gained second prize for the march. The 1903 record covered three contests at Armidale, Melbourne, and Ballarat. At each the Newcastle Band took first prize, besides winning the championship of Australia at Ballarat and the Sutton Shield for the highest aggregate in the contests of 1901, 1902, 1903. In 1905 Newcastle got into the third position, Boulder City (W.A.} -winning the championship. The Boulder Band is a very fine combination, and it had always been "touch-and-go" with it and Newcastle. Last October they did not journey to Ballarat, reserving themselves for the New Zealand trip, but the band attended the great contest held in Sydney, and again gained a most meritorious victory, regaining the championship, and with it the Besson Challenge Cup, a most valuable trophy. Last year, said Mr Nicholas, the Ballarat contest was won by the boys of St. Augustine's Orphanage, Geclong, a marvellous performance, considering that most of the youngsters are in knickerbockers and can scarcely hold their instruments up. Their musical ability is, however, exlained by the fact that they spend nearly all their time at practice. Their conductor, Percy Jones, is only a year or two out of knickerbockers, yet, even at his early age, he is one of the finest cornetists in Australia. He won the cornet solo in 1905, the judge remarking that he had never known his performance beaten, except by one man in England.