THE BAND CONTEST.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 39, 15 February 1905, Page 3

THE BAND CONTEST.

(Continued from page A 9&) EtOGEL HORN SOLOS. Yesterday afternoon the competition for the flugel horn medals was played, resulting as follows:— E. H. Gould (Wanganui Garrison) JO6 marks 1 G. Bauccp (Kaikorai), 104 marks.. 2 M. Manshel (Wellington Garrison) 102 marks 3 E. H. Gould (Wanganui Garrison), winner, 10fi marks ("Edelweiss"): A good rendering of this popular solo. Player has a nice tone, but is inclined to be somewhat in treating detaiJL Was somewhat shy of the high notes. G. Baueop Uvaikorai), second prize, H>4 marks (•'Edelweiss"): A good performance marred by a weak opening and finieh. Pretty tone displayed in pia.no parts, but lapses in several technical departments. A neat crescendo, diminuendo, and stringsndo effect towards the close, occurring twice, was spoilt on each occasion. Appeared to suffer from nervousness, and did not, I think, do himself justice. M. Manshel (Wellington Garrison), 102 marks ("The Challenge"): Good stamp of player. Does not show any erratic tendencies. The tone would be better were it wanner. It is here the soloist should endeavour to develop his powers. His general work is good, out erescendos and diminuendos migirt be better worked out. J. Currie (Kaikorai), 95 marks ("You'll Remember Mc"): An in-and-out performance. Tone pretty in places, and at other times boisterous. It is not artistic to go to extreme in such a way. The variations were not cleanly rendered, though there was much at times to please. L. Leece (TaTanaki Garrison), 89 marks ("The Carnival of Venice"): Rather in-elined to be boisterous. Wants to treat the composition with lightness and delicacy, with, of course, a judicious mixture of more forceful olaying. H. Freeman (Kaikorai). SO marks ("Will Ye No Come Back Again?"): Somewhat thin in tone. Evidently a player lacking •in experience, but one who will improve if he will try, for some of Ids work pleased mc. E. ihin.ro (First Battalion, Auckland), S5 marks ("Buy a Broom"): An uncertain performance, and tumbled to pio>c2s in the concluding bars. I imagim; that this player did not do himseif justice, owing to nervousness. D. Y. Claridsre (Wellington Garrison) S4 ninrk.s (■'Edelweiss"): There were f.oo many breakdowns in this pexfonniih'o to warrant any hope of success, [ feel th-at the player is capable of doing better, however. FIRST TEST SELECTION. The results of the first, test selection, v. h;eh was played last nrght and is de'•ntx d elsewhere in this column, were 'S follow (200 being the maximum marks): — Vrellington Garrison (Lieutenant T. Herd). 189 marks 1 'v'.'ajiiran-iri Garrison (J. Crichron), 173 marks 2 Kaikorai (G. B. Laidlaw), 168 marks 3 Waihi Federal (C. Trnssell). 164; First Battalion, Auckland (P. H. }.focre), 159- Auckland Garrison (G. F. Cater), 157; Ilauraki (T. \i. Booth), ?.nd TaranaJci Garrison (F. ?ilcConnell), 15<!; Ruahrne Battalion (A. Lawrence), 153; Gisbarne City (Chrisp), 132; Devonpori. (T. Adams), 123. rbn judge's comments were: — Wellington Garrison, winners, 189 rr.arlcs: At once a dashing combination, possessing all the features which make a real band. Tone, time, in fact the whole of the many points which might bm mentioned, were apparent before the ntuu-ber had progressed far. The soloists were delightfni. The solo eornot seemed short of breath iv two <>r thrse places. A magnificent soprano, pretty trombonist, and £oo<l euphon- ! inmist. Aceo-mpsiniments were channmg'ly treated. The performance was brilliant. A few lapses, but not of any•erious consequence. Wanganui Garrison, second place, 173 marks: An excellent perfiornwnice. Fine strong- body of tone and interpreted in a musicianly manner. One or two of the movements were somewbai out in tempo, the band losing- one or two points in this respect. The 1 solo eornetist is an artist, and the pretty bolero was beautifully rendered. Tbe band has not the crispness, nor quite the general finish, of the Wellington band, but is really good. Kaikorai. third place, 168 marks: This is a very good band. An interesting performance is givem. It is not yet so good as Wangasoui, and, of course, falls short of Wellington. Has many points of merit. Waihi Federal. 164 lnarks: A really good performance. Up to this point (sixth 0:1 the programme), undoubtedly entitled to second place. A beautiful solo cornet player. The bokro was artistically interpreted by this player. Euphonium good. soprano somewhat weak. Attack and precision very good. Aceompsniinents generally neat and crisp. Tempi astray in more than one movement. Fir-t Battalion (Auckland), 159 marks: Well in tune. >Jot dashing enough, in some places, trat much pleasing work. The cornet plays the bokro movement well. A lot of judicious playing, and effects rendered prettily at times. An all-round good performance. Auckland Garrison. 157 marks: Again a good band. Strong in tone, and possessing many excellent features. In the ensemble the band showed to considerable advantage. Soprano did serviceable work. Hauraki, 156 marks: Evenly opened, with good strong tone; but not presenting any strong featares. On the whole a pleasing performance of an averagely good standard. The horns •were good in their trio. Taranaki Garrison. 156 marks: This band presented some interesting fea- ! tures. Much of the work was admirable, but it was of an uneven nature. The soloists played carefully, the cornet and euphoniu-m in particular. A good band. Ruahine Battalion, 153 marks: A hea-vily-timbred combination, with plenty of go, but lacking in the finer points. The solo cornet is a pleasing player, but the others are moderate only. Time was faulty in several of the movements, and there were other flaws. Gisborne City, 132 marks.- This band lacks those toueh.es of finish which are so necessary to success. The tone was strong, but coarse. The players revelled in the ensemble of pas3ag*s, but not so in the pianissimo ones. Tie soloists and soprano did not show to advantage.

De\Kjnport, 123 marks.- This performance does not call for comment. My details advice. B EE*AT BASS. The B flat bass solo-playing took 'place this morning, an Auckland man— A. Wheeler, of the First Battalion — securing the gold medal with 106 points. The judge said that the instrument was not one on which solos could be played —it was purely a brass band instrument, but considering this the solos were well played. The winner he considered a very clever player indeed. Appended are the res-Jits: A. Wheeler (First Battalion), "In Cellar Cool," 10G points 1 X. Allen (Taranaki Garrison), "Long, J-.ong Ago," 100 points. ... 2 F. Albrecfat (Ruahine Battalion), "Song Without Words, , ' 9S points 3 The judge's remarks were as follows: A. Wheeler (First Battalion), "In Cellar Cool," 100 points: Very well played by soloist. A really good tone produced, especially on lower register, I where pedal notes are like an organ. I was well pleased with this effort. N. Allen (Taranaki Garrison), "Long, Long Ago" 100 points: A carefullyplayed solo. Good tonal qualities generally speaking. The slower parts rendered effectively. A really good bass player for a band. F. Albrecht (Ruahine), "Song Without Words'' (Mendelssohn), 98 points: Not a suitable selection. These pretty ■compositions of the great master were never intended to be made use of as solos for brass bass instruments. Fairly interpreted by soloist, but too jerky on sforzando notes; otherwise shows that he possesses points of merit, especially for band work. G. FiiMdl (Kaikorai), "The Hardy Norseman," 96 points: Moderate performance. A better instrumentalist for a band than as a soloist. Careful player, but lacking in some essentials which are necessary for success. E. Birch (Devonport), "Calvary," 95 points: A good tone is produced by the soloist, but there is not sufficient scope. Again I note qna-lities which go to make an excellent band performer.