THE KILTIES BAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 964, 27 August 1908, Page 17

THE KILTIES BAND.

The scene both inside and outside the Sydney Town Hall on August 15 was one of intense enthusiasm, for the rush of the public to hear the first concert of the Scottish-Canadian Regimental Band was unprecedented (says the “ Town and Country Journal ”). Those' who arrived at the

steps of the Town Hall at 8 o’clock wondered what was the matter, for people stood from the footpath to the door, and the management estimate that over 1000. were disappointed. The two stalwart drum-majors were most emphatic in their assurance that there was not even standing room in the hall. This was the case, every part of the large building, including the choir seats on the organ gallery, being crowded. The Kilties looked a fine body of men in their uniform of the Gordon Highlanders, with red coats and dark green kilts and plaids. In front of the organ were their banners. The audience was most enthusiastic, and encored everything, especially the patriotic airs, which appealed to them very strongly. The features of the programme from a musical standpoint, however, were the second of the Liszt “ Hungarian Rhapsodies,” the Prelude of the third act of “ Lohengrin,” an arrangement of wellknown melodies by Tobani, and Godfrey’s setting of Scottish airs. There are 30 performers in the band; and the instrumentation is aS follows: — One flute and piccolo, 1 oboe, 1 E flat clarionet, 8 B flat clarionets, 2 saxophones, 1 bassoon, 3 French horns, 5 cornets, 2 euphoniums, 3 trombones, 3 basses, and 2 drums. The combin-

ation, taken as band, choir, and dancing troupe, is a very clever one, and, judging irom the first performance, it will suit the popular fancy, and continue its success.