BAND CONTEST

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 112, 24 February 1950, Page 4

BAND CONTEST

WOOLSTON SECURE CHAMPIONSHIP ASHBURTON SUCCESSES IN SOLOS (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 23. Consistent performances by the Woolston Brass Band saw it win the second test and the championship in the Civic Theatre to-night. St. Kilda finished second. The second test music was “Morning Rhapsody,” by Eric Ball, who is a prolific writer of contest music. The music has been used recently for brass band championship festivals in Great Britain. . It is an arresting work requiring perfect intonation throughout. The andante movement is one of the most melodious scored for brass bands. Great artistry wa<s required on the part of the cornet and trombone soloists in this movement. Most artistic cornet playing was heard from D. Christensen, solo cornet for Woolston, and K. Smith, the present champion, who plays for St. Kilda. Both these brilliant players werb worth many points to their bands. Seldom at contests has the audience heard such beautiful solo work as was the case last evening. A word of praise must also be said for J. P. Clague, the champion trombonist for the Auckland Waterside Band, whose treatment of his section of the andante was a perfect rendition of controlled trombone playing. There was not one weak performance in last evening’s test. It is regrettable that correct percussion was not used by the bands. The music includes scoring for timpany and cymbal. Some of the bands substituted bass drum for timpany, but it was a poor substitute. It is to be hoped correct percusssion' will be used for future contests. The chief judge, Mr H. R. Shugg, said last evening that percussion should be compulsory at contests. K. G. Smith (St. Kilda) won the B flat cornet championship for the third time in succession. J. T. Ibell (Ashburton) put up a splendid performance to gain second place. J. T. Davidson (Ashburton) also played well for his second placing to J. Morgan (Wellington Institute) in the euphonium section. Results yesterday were:— . Championship Grade

Solo Events Side Drum— N. Gadd, 95 points, 1; D.-Venables, 90 points, 2; W. Easthope", S 9 points, 3. All members of Taranaki Regimental and New Plymouth Municipal Band. Bass Drum.—M. K. Hazelwood (St. ICilda), 94 points, 1; M. Scanbary (Wellington Watersiders’ Junior), 93 points, 2; P. A. Winnie, (Wellington Tramway), 90 points, 3. Euphonium—J. Morgan (Wellington Institute), 94 points, 1; J. T. Davidson (Ashburton), 90 points, 2; G. M. Mnschamp (St. Kilda), 86 points, 3. B Flat Cornet Championship—K. G. Smith (St. Kilda), 96 points, 1; J. T. Ibell (Ashburton), 92 points, 2; T. McKie (Queen Alexandra, Wanganui), 90 points, 3.

" 1st 2nd Test. Test. Total. Woolston — Points 7 7 14 Marks 143 143 286 St. Kilda— Points 6 6 12 Marks 139 142 281 Auckland Waterside— Points 5 4 9 Marks Kaikorai — 13G 137 273 Points o r> 8 - Marks 129 140 2G9 . Wellington Waterside — Points 4 1 5 Marks Wanganui Garrison133 125 258 ,;XQi n ts . 2 3 5 Marks Timaru Municipal— 133 131 254 Points 2 2 4 .'.'•■Marks 123 127 250