BRASS BANDS.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXV, Issue 4255, 22 February 1909, Page 2

BRASS BANDS.

THE MANAIA BAND. This Band gave an open-air performance in Fountaine Square on Friday evening. The Band numbers 32 performers, and is under the conductorship of our old friend Mr James Cosgrove. We compliment that gentleman on the satisfactory state of efficiency he has gut the members into, and we will be very much asijiiisii&u- if ike Band does nrJ gain a place at the "contest which began at Hastings this morning. The programme rendeied on Friday evening was a most attractive one, and, with the exception of a couple of pieces in which some of the cornets were out of tune, was greatly enjoyed by those present, who were not niggardly in the amount of applause they bestowed at the completion of each selection. The first item was the test march " The Palmerston," which was rendered in a very spirited manner, and was faultlessly played, with the exception of a little boisterousness on { the part of one of the basses. Their own selection is rather an I ambitious effort for a country band, but the men of Manaia were equal to the occasion, and gave a very good rendering of the piece. It is called " Mercadante," and was the test selection at the Ballarat ' contest a couple of years ago. The contest test piece is named " Gems of Northern Scotland," and consists of a number uf very old Scottish airs, the principal one, and the best, being " The old man's mare's deed." The two items that nleased the people most were " The I,ost Chord " and" Ora Pro Nobis." We have an idea the former was played too slowly, but we compliment the cornet soloist, His tone was delightful. The programme j was IJnished- shortly before ten i o'clock with the splendid march. "To the front." We arc pleased to chronicle the I fact that the collection in aid of the expenses of the Eand was highly satisfactory. On Saturday morning two excellent photos of the Band were taken. Then the members walked over to the Bacon Factory, where they were shown how the | popular Morppork mild-cure was. manufactured. The Band left by the express for Waipawa, where I they were to give an afternoon per- | formance y esterday.