BRASS BAND CONTEST.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 37, 13 February 1905, Page 2

BRASS BAND CONTEST.

THE BEG_SXI_sG.

The eighth annual- contest of the North Island Brass Band Association was opened this morning in His Majesty's Theatre. There was a good attendance during the whole day, a very large number of bandsmen hearing the testing of the baritone and E flat bass soloists during the morning and afternoon. The Auckland bandsmen have been working very energetically for a considerable time past in the preparation for this contest, which is admitted to be the most important held in the colony for some years. In gome respects it is the most important held in the colony at any time, for it is in this contest that the three greatest bands in the colony meet for the first time since they rose to their present perfection. These bands, it is scarcely needful to say. are the Wanganui Garrison, the Wellington Garrison and the Kaikorai hand?. These three have held the i pride of place in brass-band music for this colony for some time past, but circumstances have prevented these bands from deciding which of them shall truthfully call itself champion of the colony. That is- why this contest holds the vrry keenest interest for bandsmen all over the colony, and for that matter all over Australasia. All three bands may be regarded as at the top of their ability at the prrsent time —at least in so far as their ! prist achievements are concerned. Each band is. of course, confident it can win the championship, and they have been all so keen about it. the rivalry has been so en-eat that the very finest brass band playing heard in any of the colonial contests will be heard during the contest. There is nothing to prevent any of tbe other hands from coming to the front in this contest, as these hands themselves have done in the past, but it is generally anticipated that the first place will fall to one of these three. The band committees have met with t the deafest encouragement since they beo*u. and what is still more encouraging during the past few days the merest by the public in the performance has. increased so much that nearly all the se-son tickets are sold, and .the box olans are well crowded for every night Of the season. ?o much booking has been done in tbe last few days that the committee have decided to increase the charges by 6rl. all round on Tuesday and Friday nights, the occasions of the full band tests."in order to avoid as far as possible tco great a crush, as the committee are now led to anticipate would ensue if tbe ordinary prices were charged. On other nights and days the admissions will lie the usual 3/, 2/, and 1/. j THE TEST PIECES. The pieces selected for the testing of the bands are two in number. One is "La Straniera." and arrangement for brass bands of the fine opera of that name by Bellini. The music of the opera itself is not very well known to the averajre man. but some parts, especially the "Bolero."' are popular with musicians. The whole, selection is very fine ahd bright, and although ,pot quite the same effects are produced as with a full orchestra and chorus, yet the themes arc musically treated. The arranger is the well-known British band composer, Mr. ,T. Ord Hume, who was judge at the Masteftoh contest a few years "ago. The othyrr is an arrangement by the cele>. bravted Charles Godfrey, of some "Gems of Mendelssohn."' This is not only probably the most difficult band selection <sver submitted as a test to the colonial rends, but it is full of scraps of the brightest and best of Mendelssohn's r>op_lar works, such as the War March of the Priests, from "Athalie," "Spring Song," and the famous "Rondo." "La Straniera 7 ' will be played in the theatre to-morrow evening, and the ''•'Gems''will be played there on Friday afternoon and evening, beginning at five o'clock. The prizes for these tests are considerable: First, £150 and 25 silver medals for the band, and a. gold medal for the conductor: second. £f>o; third, £25: fourth, £15: fifth. £10: sixth. B flat cornet, presented by Hawkes and Son. The Auckland Butter Company has also presented a. baton of X.Z. woods for the conductor of the b-ind that scores most points in the "Gems of Mendelssohn."' The great Besson Challenge. Shield, valued at £50, at present hehl by the KoikoTai Band, will also fall to the winner of the most marks for music and marching. THE BANDS. The bands competing are. with trrear colours and conductor's names: Waihi Federal, navy blue and red, C. EL. S. Trusseli. Wellington Garrison., military. Lieut, T. Herd. Auckland Garrison, navy blue and white. G. F. Cater. Denniston. blue, black and gold, F. Hopkinson. Devonport (Auckland), green emerald and T. Adams. Hauraki (Thames), blue and gold, T. B. Booth. Taranaki Garrison, amber and black, T. MoConnell. Kaikorai (Dunedin), blue and xylite, 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. Cricuton. Impey's (Auckland), red, white and blue. J. Impey. Gisborne City, maroon and Mine, — Morrison. The Wellington Garrison. Kaikorai and Fifth Ruahine Battalion aerived in Anckland on Saturday by the Rarawa. being met by Mr G. Hume, general manager, and the committee. At Auckland they were met by the Garrison Band and played to their quarters. The Waihi Federal arrived on Saturday afternoon also, and the Gisborne City (by the Victoria >. and the Taranaki Garrison and Hastings bands (by the Rotoiti \. came up yesterday, the local bands also meetinj t-hrm. The Hauraki band" arrived to-day. Those who are interested will find tbe bands at the following places: Waihi Federal. Kidd's Commercial Hotel; Wahganiri Garrison, Royal Hotel; Denniston, practice room: Devonport. Drill Hall: Auckland Garrison, Drill Hallr Ist Battalion, Drill Hall; Hauraki, Clarendon Hotel; Taranaki Garrison, Wvrivard Arms: Kaikorai, Waverley Hotel-, Rnahinc Battalion, practice room; Hastings, practice room: Wellington Garrison. Waitcmata Hotel: Impey"s City. Drill Hallf Gisborne City. Edinburgh Castle Hotel. THE OFFICERS. The officers of the contest are as follow: Contest Executive Committee: Messrs W; Rowlands (chairman), J. R. I Williamson (vice-chairman), Geo. Tucker, A. Fusseli, A. _____n, J. Endean. H. Anderson. A. Furness. J. Lindsay, ! A. Verrall. C. Johnson, G. Hume. G. i Newell. F. Grihboh. H. G . Hill. j W. Skerrit, C. H. Le Quesne, P. Williams. E. Gilbert; musical judge", -Mr W. King. supervisor. I.Mr C. - Hamilton Le "Qoesne;

. marshal. Lieut. J. Endean; assistant supervisor. Mr A. P. Johnson; treasurer, Mr H. G. Hill;, secretary, Mr A. W. | 1 Tatton; general manager, Mr Geo. Hume; ticket committee, Messrs Geo. 1 Hume chairman i, J. Endean, H. G. Hill, A. W. Tatton: accommodation co,_f roittee, Messrs Geo. Newell (chairman), H. Anderson. J. Endean. A. Fusseli, A. Verrall. and D. Lindsay. THE BARITONE SOLOS. The first tests made were those for the B fiat baritone soloists. The prizes for this event are, first a gold medal and second a silver medal. Tlie candidates had the privilege of exercising their own choice of pieces. The result was announced by Mr King, the judge (who hears the ' competitors from a covered box on the left of the stage, so that he cannot see but o_ly ■ hearl. and the awards appeared to give general satisfaction. The results were (maxiimnn marks 120) : A. Marten. (Wanganui Garrison), "The Thorn," 112 marks 1 P. Dixon (Wellington Garrison). "Klange aus Steiermark," 10S marks 2 H. Penno (Waihi Federal), •'Hyperion." 102 marks , 3 R. Little (Kaikorai;. "Nordische,"" 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, though not up to standard. J (Waihi Federal), 'The Thorn," 9S 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), '"Nordische.* , 100 marks: Suffered principally from his erratic work. Very spasmodic player. Uneven in his time. Somevrhat exaggerated accents and other expression marks. Otherwise would have s>hown to much better advantage. E. Gilbert (First BaUalion, Newton), "Una Peile Ocean" 03 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. Misread triplets in variations. Too slow generally. Theme should be bright. Reading of introduction faulty. Turns should be slower. Gave very fair performance. Triple-tonguing slightly laboured. Other faults mention in the details. R. Tierney (Ruahinc Battalion). 'The Return." 92 marks. —Principal fault was that playing was lacking generally in character. Docs not understand mezzostaccato: altogether too close, not giving variations not bright enough. Should assert himself. Light and shade wanted. These remarks apply to a good many players. A. Fulljames (Devonport). "Robin Adair."—Evidently not much experience. Fundamental prin'ciples-vrantsttidy. - Solo easy. 2vot many slips. Equal to solo work. j—~~-~~~~*'" '■ j_ The Auckland Prohibition and Temperance League announce a moonlight excursion to welcome the Rev. F. W. Isitt on Tuesday, the 21st inst.