OUR CONTESTING BAND?.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 39, 15 February 1905, Page 10

OUR CONTESTING BAND?.

(To thp Editor.* Sir, —As the committee of the North Island Brass Band Association will meet in the course of a few days. I would like to draw their ftttention— through the medium of your valuable paper—to a few alterations, which, if nia.de. would not only improve the tone colour of our contesting band*, but educate the individual bandsman in such a ruajiner as to make him more valuable as a unit in his band. As regards the tone colour, I am convinced, by actual experience and observation, that the existing instrumentation can be improved, and greater facility given for the interpretation of modern and classical music, by the introduction of a quartette of saxophones. J bear the Wanpatiui Band is already provided with four of these beautiful instruments, and consequently lead the way. ] fee! sure that the bandsmen themselves, oneo they have hoard the magnificent ' tone* produced by a band so equipped, will at once see that a renewed vitality lias been given to the hra.se band movement. 1 would also urwe the committee to include a. sight-reading test in their future programmes, for iifuir all sight-reading is tbe one true test of the musician. A five or six minute overture, of mode.rate difiiciilty. ks all that is required. It would act as an incentive to I.ho individual bandsman during contest intervals. Thanking you in anticipation —1 am, etc., ' EUGENE HI7I.SK. Late Royal Marine Band.