THE NORTH ISLAND BRASS BAND CONTEST.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIV, Issue 8, 25 February 1905, Page 23

THE NORTH ISLAND BRASS BAND CONTEST.

THE BEGINNING. The eighth annual contest of the North Island Brass Band Association was opened on Mnoday in His Majesty’s Theatre. There was a good attendance during the whole day, a very large num her of bandsmen hearing the testing of the baritone and E flat bass soloists during the morning and afternoon. TH E BANDS. The bands competing were: Waihi Federal, navy blue and red, C. H. S. Trussell. Wellington Garrison, military, I.ieirU T. Herd. Auckland Garrison, navy blue ami white, G. F. Cater. Denniston, blue, black and gold. I’. Hopkinson. Devonport (Auckland), green emerald and white, T. Adams. Hauraki (Thames), blue and gold. T. B. Booth. Taranaki Garrison, amber and black, T. McConnell. Kaikorai (Dunedin), blue and white, T. Laidlaw. sth Ruahine Battalion, navy and white, A. Lawrence. Ist Battalion (Auckland), red and white, P. Mohr. Hastings, blue and white. Wanganui Garrison, red and black, Jas. Cnohton. Impey’s (Auckland), red, white and blue. J. Impey. Gisborne City, maroon and blue, —> Morrison. THE OFFICERS. The officers of the contest are as follow: Contest Executive Committee: Messrs W. Rowlands (chairman), J. R. Williamson (vice-chairman), Gao. Tucker, A. Fussell, A. Hankin, J. Emlean, H. Anderson, A. Furness, J. Lindsay, A. Verrall, C. Johnson, G. Hume, G. Newell, F. Gribbon, H. G . Hill, W. Skerril, C, H. Le Quesne, P, Williams, E. Gilbert; musical judge, Mr W. King, supervisor, Mr C. Hamilton Le Quesne; marshal, Lieut. J. Emlean; assistant supervisor, Mr A. P. Johnson; treasurer, Mr H. G. Hill; secretary, Mr A. W. Tatton; general manager, Mr Geo. Hume; ticket committee. Messrs Geo. Hume chairman), J. Endcan, fl. G. Hill,

A. W. Talton; accommodation committee, Messrs Geo. Newell (chairman), 11. Anderson, J. Endean, A. Fussell, A. Verrall, aud.D. Lindsay. The first tests made were those for THE BARITONE SOLOS. the B flat baritone soloists. The prizes for this event are, first a gold medal and second a silver medal. The candidates had the privilege of exercising their own choice of pieces. The result was announced by Mr King, the judge (who heard the competitors from a covered box on the left of the stage, so that he could not see, but only hear), and the awards appeared to give general satisfaction. The results were (maximum marks 120) : A. Marten (Wanganui Garrison). “The Thorn," 112 marks 1 P. Dixon (Wellington Garrison), “Klango aus Steiermark,” 108 marks 2 11. Penno (Waihi Federal), “Hyperion," 102 marks 3 R, Lillie (Kaikorai), “Nordisehe," 100 marks 4

Appended is a narrative of the judge’s remarks on each player in the order of their playing: H. Penro (Waihi Federal). “Hyperion,” 102 marks.—This player set. a very fair standard. Good serviceable instrumentalist. Wanted to pay more attention to marks of expression. His feature was the way he got his top notes. On the whole very good, (hough not up to standard. J Npeering (Waihi Federal), “The Thorn," 98 marks.—Opening wanted a good deal more character. Accents wanted more attention. Expression marks should be more observed. Tone good; out of time Occasionally. Theme rather namby-pamby. Fair executant, especially on triple-tonguing. Inclined to emphasise wrong notes. R. Little (Kaikorai), “Nordisehe,” 100 marks: Suffered principally from 11 is erratic work. Very spasmodic player. Uneven ' in his time. Somewhat exaggerated accents and other expression marks. Otherwise would have shown to much better advantage. 11. Gilbert (First. Battalion. Newton), ‘ Una Pelle Ocean” 93 marks: — Strong tone. Good real dramatic effort, but became altogether too rough in places. Advised to restrain himself more. The power he was giving in places caused notes to become cracked, particularly towards the end. An allround serviceable player. A. Don (Gisborne City), “My Pretty Jane," 98 marks. -Tone pleasing. Mislead triplets in variations. Too slow generally. Theme should ba bright. Rending of introduction faulty. Turns should be slower. Gave very fair performance. Triple-tonguing slightly la boured. Other faults mentioned in the details. R. Tierney (Ruahine Battalion), “the Return,” 92 marks.—Principal fault was that playing was lacking generally in character. Does not understand mezzostaccato; altogether too close t ongoing variations not bright enough. Should assert, himself. Light and shade Wanted. These remarks apply to a good many players. A. Fuiljame* (Devon port), “Robin Adair.” —Evidently not much experience. Fundamental principles want study. Solo easy. Not many slips. Equal to solo work. THE GARDEN PARTY. The garden party in the Domain on Wednesday was an unqualified success in every way. There was a great crowd of people present on the ground, and the performance of the bands was received with enthusiastic appreciation. J here must have been about 8000 people present. There was a platform opposite the pavilion, and around it the bands grouped themselves, while tho committees, etc., went on to the platform with the Mayor of Auckland (the Hon. E. Mitchelson), who then welcomed the bandsmen to she city in a typically happy speech. Mr Mitchelson said that though tho local bands had not been very sue ecssful, still the holding of this first contest would, ho hoped, have the effect of making the bands work the harder aijd turn the tables on the visiting hands in tho future. (Applause from flie bands.) Ho emphasised tho fact that music could not bn produced except, by the expenditure of money, a great deal of training and much practice. He therefore thought it was a pity that the public did not give more support to the hands which supplied them with so much enjoy-

ment. If the public would only realist their responsibility ho was erne th« town would be able to produce at leas! ono good band. (Applause.) He wa< informed that the standard of playing had risen steadily every year, and tlii# showed that the hands were improving themselves constantly. Mr Cohen, the president of the association, replied on behalf of the association, and thanked the Mayor for his kindness ami the local committees for their work. The Auckland people could claim to have materially assisted the association in dis charging its functions—to develop among the rising young men o? the nation the greatest civilising agency the world knew —good music. (Applause.) M« King also returned thanks for the courteous way in which lie had been treite.L SECOND TEST SELECTION. WANGANI 1 WINS THE PRIZE. The second test selection in the North Island Brass Band Association's contest was held on Friday evening in Hir Majesty’s Theatre in tho presence of an audience which thronged th* building from ceiling to floor. Tin dress-circle even was o.ncouifort. ably crowded to the doors. The evening war* u memorable one and remarkable to a degree, for the playing of the bands was of a character and quality little short of a revelation o( their capacity for the production of the finest music. The first three bands Wanganui, Kaikorai and Wellington played with astonishing ability, and the performance of the whole of the bands was of a quite unexpected merit. Par ticularly was this the case in the heavy fugue which occurs in the test, piece. The selection was Lieut. Chas. Godfrey’* great test piece, “Gems of Mendelssohn," written by him for the thousand-guinea band contest in England, and certainly the most difficult piece on the whole ever submitted to the colonial bands. Ths solo work did not bulk so largely in thia piece as in “La Staniera,” but slips and false playing tended to mar the performance more than the other, and an a. test of the abilities of the binds it Ml a much belter and musical test. The composition begins with a massive setting of the war inarch from Athalie, sweeps beautifully into the d Ivins melody from the “Elijah,” “If With Al! Your Hearts,” then rippled into the great. “Spring Song,” and “Rondo Cnpriccioso.’ Bottom’s sprightly march and the superb nocturne from the “Midsummer Night’s Dream” follows, and from the latter ths composition goes to a great fugue, the transition from which to the chaiinn'.g duet from “Zule’.ka and Hassan” is most effective. The finale of the selection is un allegretto eon I’uoeo, which ends tiny performance with striking effect. , It is hardiv possible for us wit.i the limited space al our disposal la frefer to the different performances with anv detail. The win of the Wanganui Garrison Band was well-deserved, for their performance was nearly perfect. The audience received the announcement with a volley of cheers that shook the house, and the win was popular. Ina Kaikorai band deserved second place oi; its performance last night, but it. lost that lead of 21 points Wellington Garrison had established on Wednesday night? The points for both tests wcr« as follows (the maximum in each pieeft being 200 points): First Second

This gives Wanganui Garrison the prize of £ 150, and 25 silver medals for the band and a gold medal for the conductor; Wellington Garrison, £00; Kaikorai, £25; Wailii Federal, £ls; First Battalion, £10; and Auckland Garrison, a tine B flat cornet, presented by Hawkes and Son. The interesting part of the prize winning is that three out of the five Auckland provincial bands competing secured positions of honour- got all tho prizes, indeed, except the first three. This indicates that while we cannot claim to have the beat bands in th* colony, our bands are making a voal

tniprovemon t in their quality, and should soon, if they kept on, be equal to the best. Nevertheless, the Auckland City bands were much below the level of the Wanganui band, which has set a standard in the Medelsaolm music which only Kaikorai (and Wellington in a has degree still) ean approach, and the Auckland bauds will make a very big mistake if they think they can rest on their oars. Waihi Federal Band lias the makings of a champion band, and it gave a performance in many respects equal to the Kaikorai and Wellington bands. It did very well in the fugue in spite of the time being too fast, and the remarkable circumstance of the contest is the care and ability with which the difficulties of the fugal movement were overcome by most of the bands. THE SECOND TEST. The results of' the second test selections were as follow:— Wanganui Garrison (J. Crichton), 197 point s 1 Kaikorai (T. Laidlaw). 172 points.. 2 Wellington Garrison (Lieut. Herd), 165 points 3 Waihi Federal (C. Trussell), 161 points 4 First Battalion (Auckland), 159; Auckland Garrison, Ruabine Battalion, and Gisborne City, 146; Hauraki, 144; Taranaki Garrison, 133; Devonport, 125The judge's criticisms on the bands were: — Wanganui Garrison, 197 marks (maximum 200(: I have never beard such a wonderful performance. In my opinion, it provided a great object lesson to all the bands in the rendering of this great and grand selection- 1 am glad that I have been privileged to hear such a magnificent effort. It is nearly up to the standard of the creek British hands. Kaikorai, 172 marks: A good performance. A good deal of polish in places. Tempi and interpretation very good indeed. A nice euphonium player. On the W'hole a little superior to No. 2 (Wellington) band. Wellington Garrison. 165 marks; At once a good band and a dashing one. The solo from the "Elijah,'’ '‘.lf With Al) Your Hearts,” was not interpreted with any warmth. It is, of course, a smooth number, but where was the expressive tonal gradation required for so divine a solo? In my opinion it. was missing. The detail was good. The '’Spring Song” also was anything but smooth enough. It sounded too snappy, and the cornel jerked the short made quavers too much. Bottom’s "March” was too staccato, not rollicking enough in treatment, although well played. The rondo might have been n little faster for effect. The fugue and notturn were very good, but the duet. "Zulieka and Hassan,” was too heavily treated. The finish was dashing, but there were several lapse*. Waihi Federal. 161 marks: A good performance. but some movements altogether wrong in idea. "Bottom’s March” was completely misinterpreted, and the psce was very much too fast. Tn the euphonium solo, “If With All Your Hearts,” the accompaniment was very bad In places, especially at letter E, for a few bars. The soloist did not have enough liberty. The fugue was much too fast, though I will admit that it was faithfully played- But why was it made

double forte! It was ruined in its tonal effect by the power. Home criticism has repeatedly warned bands in this respect. The cornet took charge too much in tl»e duet movement, and the trombone was swamped in many places. There was too much scrambling in the last movement. First Battalion (Auckland), 159 marks: A good performance, but rather a sameness about the general rendering. Auckland Garrison, 146 marks: Very fair baud. The bandsmen showed great vim. and evidently thoroughly enjoyed their task. There was. of course, a lack of finish, and more dignity and grace wanted to be imparted to some movements. The rondo is not meant to be a heavily played movement. The fugue was well managed, and the finale dashing. except that it wanted more distinctness. Rnahine Battalion, 146 marks: A better performance than the previous band (Taranaki), but many shortcomings, and not interpreted in a way to please meSome good work no doubt. Band opened very well indeed. There was too much scrambling over and hurrying the quick movements. -■ r-tif s Gisborne City. 146 marks: A moderate performance, about equal to No. 1 (Auckland Garrison), and No. 4 (Ruahine Battalion) bands. Ilauraki, 144 marks: A moderate performance. The bandsmen, while not possessing the executive ability of the previous performers (Waihi Federal), restrained themselves In the fugue. The duct, too, was treated in a lighter 'manner. ’ • Taranaki Garrison, 133 marks: A moderate performance. There is no need to enter into criticism here, as the rendering was not superior enough. Devonport, 125 marks: ft is unnecessary for me to criticise this performance. I would advise perseverance and study, when no doubt improvement may be effected. CHAMPIONSHIP WON BY WANGANUI. GREAT MARCHING TEST. WATCHED BY TWENTY THOUSAND. The North Island Brass Band Association’s contest in Auckland came to a conclusion on Saturday afternoon with the great quickstep competition in the Domain. The contest was watched by a . crowd which must have numbered close on 20,000 people—one of the greatest crowds that ever paid for admission to the Domain. The contest itself was extremely interesting, although the music selected —a special march called “The Victor's Return," by J. Ord Hume—was in comparison with the rest of the test music very poor and commonplace. The Wanganui. Band completed its triumphal march through the contest by winning this contest by the narrow margin of a half-point from the Waihi Band, which did splendidly. Colonel White, Captain Bosworth, and Mr. E. Williams were the judges of accoutrement*. instruments, apparel, etc., and Sergt.-Majors Rogers. Carpenter, and Chayter were the military judges. Mr. W. 8. King was the judge of the music. Lieut. J. Endean was marshal, and Mr. A. P. Johnson was deputy-marshal. On the whole it was a very interesting af-

ter noon's amusement, and the crowd was very enthusiastic over the whole performance, the Auckland City Band, which deservedly won a very good place in the quickstep contest, coming in for a special display of enthusiasm. Wanganui got the championship shield with a total score for music of 385 points, Wellington Garrison scoring 368, and Kaikorai 352 3-5. The total scores of the other bands for music were as follows: Waihi Federal, 340; First Battalion (Auckland), 332 4-5; Auckland Garrison, 317 1-5; Hauraki, 312 3-5; Ruahine Battalion, 311 2-5; Taranaki Garrison, 301 2-5; Gisborne City, 289; Devonport, 257 2-5. THE QUICKSTEP RESULTS. Wanganui Garrison, 166 J marks (military, etc., 91J; music, 75).... 1 Waihi Federal, 166 marks (military, etc., 91; music, 75) 2 First Battalion (Auckland). 163 marks (militarv, etc. 89; music, 74) *. 3

Also competed: Auckland Garrison, 161 J (military, etc. 90J, music 71); Wellington Garrison, 151 J (military, etc. 81J, music 70); Hauraki (149 (military, etc. 86, music 63); Taranaki Garrisoq. 144 J (military, etc. 82|, music 62); Kaikorai, 140 J (military, etc. 77J, music 83) ; Ruahine Battalion, 139 J (military, etc. 77J, music 62); Gisborne City, 114 (military, etc. 59, music 55); Devonport, 103 (military, etc. 56, music* 47). The musical judge's criticisms were as follows: Wanganui Garrison (winners: The est rendering of the march so far (No. 9 band). Very steady in time; good compact body of tone. There were shortcomings, of course, but not serious. Wanted, I thought, more vim in some of the ff passages. Soprano cornet not too good. A capable side drummer. Waihi Federal (second prize): Practically the same class of performance as the previous band (Wanganui). Very dearly played and artistically rendered, with slight exceptions. Fully entitled to rank with the previous band. First Battalion, Auckland (third prize): A good performance also, just failing to reach the standard of the two previous bands (Wanganui and Waihi). Auckland Garrison (fourth prize): Also a good rendering of the march. Pleased me more than the previous band (Wellington) owing to its brightness and warmth. The cornets were more expressive, and the soprano played well; also a good side drum and bass drummer, though the weak section—the trombones—were inclined at times to interfere with the steadiness ofk the time, but it was only slight. Wellington: On the whole a good performance; effects in some movements not given as I liked, but much to please me. I notes! a good side drummer. Time was very steady. Hauraki: A good average performance, about equal to No. 2 band (Kaikorai). Rather much sameness. Taranaki Garrison: Very fairly rendered by the lower half of band, especially trombones, but too undecided in the cornet section. Great want of cohesion in this department. Tempo fairly steady, but at opening some players inclined to anticipate the drummer. Kaikorai: Much better performance than No. 1 (Gisborne). Not as well balanced as I would like, and lower half

of band not firm enough in general work, inclined to a ragged tendency at times, and the tempo was not always steady. On the whole a very fair performance. Ruahine Battalion: A fair performance, not calling for criticism here. Almost the same class of performance as one or two other bands. Gisborne City: Somewhat rough in general rendering. Wants steadiness. Side drum should assert himself more; too weak. Runs for cornets not kept together by instrumentalists. I noted a pleasing euphonium. Devonport: Too much mixing and fundamental faults to criticise seriously. I trust persistent practice will effect an improvement. • THE DRUMS. Kaikorai (J. Smith and J. D. Osborne), 15SJ points 1 Waihi Federal (R. Cox and R. Feeney), 155 pointe 2 Auckland Garrison No. 1 (H. Anderson and J. Garson), 147 points.... J Auckland Garrison No. 2 fD. Robertson and E. Erinsden), 147 points.. J. CONCLUSION. The issue of the contest satisfies the public Wanganui Garrison "were favourites throughout, and though the public would have, been equally pleased had Wellington Garrison or Kaikorai got. the championship, it was evidently quite satisfied with the judge’s derision in favour of Wanganui for all round merit. From the musician’s point of view there is not the least doubt that Mr W. S. King’s judgment was correct.—Wanganui Band played magnificently throughout the contest. One cannot conclude a notice of the contest without complimentary reference to the officials who “ran” it so capably. Of these pre-eminent in the public eye were Messrs G. Hume (general manager), A. W. Tat ton (secretary), H. G. Hill (treasurer), C. H. Le 'Quesne (supervisor), and Mr J. D. Hunter, who has been official timekeeper for many contests, and came up from Dunedin to act as timekeeper at the contest. One cannot speak too highly of their good and unselfish work during and preceding tbe whole contest. There were others who worked splendidly, and these have already been mentioned in the lists of officers already published. Concerning Mr King, the judge, we believe that his judgments gave satisfaction to the majority, and certainly they satisfied the people. Mr King had a very wearing duty, which he discharged faithfully and well. He was good enough to write out his brief criticisms of the bands for publication, and the thanks of the newspaper press are hereby extended to him for his numerous courtesies. We have also to thank the other officials of the Contest Committee for innumerable courtesies. THE NEXT CONTEST. The North Island Band Association decided last night that the next contest shall be held at Hawera. Tbe local committee has guaranteed £750. It was decided that in future £25 shall be charged for the privilege of holding the contest.

Band. lest. test. Pts. Pts. Ag. Wanganui Garrison... . 173 197 3.0 Wellington Garrison.... . 189 .108 165 172 354 340 Wriihi Federal .104 101 325 1st Battalion (Auckland' . 15ft 151) 318 . 157 140 303 .150 145 301 Ruahiue Battalion ,153 lift 299 Taranaki Garrison . 156 133 28ft Gisborne City 132 1 10 279 Oevonport . 123 125 218