REGIMENTAL BAND.

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19597, 8 June 1935, Page 9

REGIMENTAL BAND.

PERFORMANCE AT CONTEST. THE JUDGE’S COMMENTS. The comments of the Judge at th recent Te Arolia band contest, Mr it J. E-stall, bandmaster of the Woolsto: Brass Band, have been received by th Waikato Regimental and Hamiltoi Municipal Band, and indicates that th local band’s performances in the 1 grade hymn test and selection wer of a high standard. Commenting on the Hamilton Band’ performance in the B grade hymn tesl "Deep Harmony,” In which the ban' was placed llrst, Mr Estall said th entry was very good, and the hand dis played nice balance, while its tone wa compact and sweet. The tuning wa very good, and Ihe finish was excel lent, with the exception, of phrasing which was somewhat on the detachci style. He commented hero that note; should not ho robbed of their vulm before breathing. Sweet and Tuneful. Tlie start of the second verse wai excellent and it was continued such The soprano cornet was sweet unc tuneful. Mr Estall added that tin Hamilton Band was the first he hat heard on the evening of the hymi lest In which the solo cornet did no predominate. The third verse was also very well played, and the band’s work gave him the impression that i was endeavoiuring lo express the true reverence and sentiment of the hymn He complimented the band on its excellent perlormancIn the P> grade tost selection, "Moot Doctor,” in which the band secures third place, (lie judge said Ihe opening movement was excellent, except thal Ihe band’s playing was on I lie fasl side, which rather spoiled the idea, At A Ihe playing was excellent, although a litlle fast; the close was good and the tune commendable. In (lie allegretto inoderato movement Hie cornet solo was splendid and Ihe accompaniments good. At 15 the playing was excellent, the basses bring exceptionally so; and at U Ihe semi-quavers were played very well indeed: while Hie close was very good and tuneful. The allegretto was a

little fast, which spoiled the idea, bn the euphonium was good. The basses reply at the nineteenth bar was onl fair, while the .intonation was fault! The band was still on the fast sid here, and by doing so was losin, character and ideas. Trombone Player Prateed. Bar 50 was not negotiated very wel by the cornet, but the euphonium wa still playing very well indeed. M Estall commended the close of thi movement. The meno mosso was ex cellent and the tuning was the best o the evening. The cadenza was mos artistic. In the allegro moderato th trombone was very good indeed, play ing with excellent taste, while th pizzicato effect by the hand was ver; good. “The trombone player is certainl; very fine, and I am glad to sec that h' does not make use of glissando in hi playing," added Mr Estall. Fron letter 1 and onward the close xvas ex cellent and nicely tuned. The moder ato opening was splendid, but ho di< not know why the band hurried at tin last two heats in bars 4 and 6. Tin movement was choral in style, am should not therefore have this changi in tempo. However, the playing wai still on the quick side. The semi-quavers at bar 28 wen taken in fine style by the cornetist but the recitative by the euphoniun was rather stiff. From bar 36 and oi It. was much better, and the lone was 1 very commendable. It was a pity however, that this was rather hurried The band was the best tuned lie hat heard so far. The next movement ihe andante, was splendid, and was played slower than the previous movement- The allegro was excellent, with a good close, but the adagio was lacking somewhat In sustaining power ant nobility of tone. The close was vers good and well tuned. | In concluding, Mr Estall said | generally speaking, the band was exeellcnlly trained, but spoiled a greal deal of its work by 100 much haste. Its tone and intonation were very good.