FATHER OF BAND

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19363, 17 September 1934, Page 8

FATHER OF BAND

TRIBUTE AT CAMBRIDGE. AIR G. BOYCE’S 83rd. BIRTHDAY. (Special to Times.) CAAIBRIDGE, Sunday. Nearly 40 years ago Cambridge's Aluniclpal Band came Into being, and one of its three founders is Air Charles Boyce, senior, who is regarded to-day as the “ Father of the Band. 3 ’ The Boyce family is known throughout the Dominion for its musicar abilities, Air Alf. Boyce being the clever pianist, while Air Chas. W. Boyce, junior, is a fine cornetist and was a former conductor of the Band. Mr Arthur B. Boyce is a very capable ’cello player, and Mr Thomas H. Boyce is also a capable cornetist and a popular tenor.

Over 35 years ago Air Boyce and Messrs Hunter and Charles Stewart met one morning in Cambridge and decided that Cambridge should have a band. It fell to Air Boyce to raise the necessary funds and he was highly successful, with the result that a hand was soon an accomplished fact. The first bandmaster was Mr Charles Stewart. It is of interest to record that after an absence from Cambridge for many years Air Stewart returned recently to again assume the conductorship of the band.

Mr Boyce was secretary and treasurer of the band for over 20 years. The present band members were responsible for a thoughtful gesture yesterday afternoon, when on the occasion of Air Boyce’s 83rd birthday they paid a visit to “ Arundel ” and dispensed a programme of favourite tunes. Hearty congratulations were extended to Air Boyce, who suitably replied. Ah’ Boyce was born in Favisham, England, on September 15, 1851, and carrie to New Zealand in the clipper ship “ Zeaiandla.” He has resided here for 55 years. Yesterday Air Boyce received numerous congratulations.