BOYS' BAND

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 292, 7 April 1941, Page 5

BOYS' BAND

GREAT PROGRESS MADE PUBLIC APPEARANCE, SHORTLY Whakatane will shortly have the pleasure of hearing its Boys Band in its first public appearance. The band, Avhich was formed live months ago, has to-day reached a stage in progress Avhich is a credit to the bandmaster and, its enthusiastic youthful members.

On Thursday evening, members of the Borough Council and parents were invited to attend the bandroom to hear a short recital, the first that the lads have given since the inception of the band, and all present were surprised and delighted with the excellent renderings of hymns and marches.

During the evening His Worship the Mayor (Mr B. S. Barry) was called upon to present tAvo medals earned by members of the band. The first decoration, donated by Mr A. J. Canning, Avent to the most improved player, Wrey Fenicane, whose age is eight years and Avho plays the soprano cornet. Mr Barry stated that Wrey had been a member of the band for only three months and had shoAvn excellent progress. The second aAvard for progress made Avas a medal donated by Mr Jarrett and this Avent to Bob Woods, aged 12, avlio is less t-l\an two months had made rapuLjstrides playing the double bass, In making the presentation His Worship congratulated the boys on I heir first venture in the life of the town. So many members of the men's band had left for overseas that it Avas difficult to obtain a full band to play at various functions and iioav the boys had a duty fb keep the band together Avhile the men were doing their duty overseas. He appealed to the members to maintain their interest and to "stick" to Mr Mayo. His Worship added that, although all could not get medals, they should remember that it Avas the rank and file that made it possible for others to Avin decorations. He congratulated Mr Mayo on the excellent progress made. Mr A. .T. Canning spoke highly of the Avork done by Mr Mayo, stating that the task of tutoring boys, -who on joining five months ago, did not knoAV a note of music, Avas difficult, and to bring them along so Avell Avaa worthy of high praise. Mr Canning also referred to the enthusiasm of the boys, some of Avhom lie stated rode bicycles to practice" from eight miles or more in the country. He concluded by expressing the hope that the boys would be able to plav at the Anzac Service and also at the Winter Show.

Dick Ward, in a neat speech, returned thanks to the Mayor and Mr Canning for their attendance an<} encouragement and also specialty mentioned Mr Mayo for his patient tutoring. He handed Mr Mayo a suitably inscribed cigarette case as a present from his band*

Mr Mayo thanked the boys for their gift and also expressed pleasure at the attendance of the Mayor, other councillors and the parents.

In the band the ages of the boys range from 7 to 16 years and the members are:—Cornets: D. Butler, G. Brabant, B. Fergusson; R, Funicane, C. Funicane, E. - Petty, G. Skelton, L. Broadmore; Euphonium: B. Skelton; Baritone; T. Dodunski, E. Hishop, O. Simonsen, T. Woods; Tenor horn: A. Funicane, F. Funicane, S. Shapley, C. Suckling, D l . Ward; Trombones: M. Ransome, P. Moore, C. Moore, L. Henderson; Bases: D. Woods, A. Moore, P. Ward, N. Bowering; Drum: Geoff. Moore.