THE JUNIOR PIPE BAND

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 9, 11 September 1945, Page 5

THE JUNIOR PIPE BAND

FURTHER ENJOYABLE CONCERT ENTHUSIASTIC LOCAL AUDIENCE As a fitting conclusion to its rccent East Coast tour, the Wha'katane Caledonian Society's Junior Pipe Band gave a further concert programme in the Caledonian Hall last Thursday evening when a large and enthusiastic audience greeted all items with Avholehearted applause. The boys who were greatly improved as a result of the tour repeated most of the numbers which won them so much popular acclaim with the Maoris of the Coast. With Drum-Major Harry Mole resplendant in full kit in the front the band opened Thursdays, pro-' gramme with several resounding selections. The balance and rhythm was perfect and there can. be no doubt but that the Society has now a first class band combination of which it may well lie proud. The programme throughout attained a high standard of excellence and for those of Scottish inclinations must have been an exceedingly rare treat. No time was lost between the items presented and humorous interludes were followed quickly by exhibition dancing, pipe solos and quartets. One of the most surprising features was the manner in which the two youngest members Pipers Don McKenzie and Russell executed the sword dance. They were followed by Piper 11. Hogg who proved himself no less an exponent of the Highland Fling, Perhaps the most uproarious interlude was that devoted to the staging of a chanter practice gathering when a very worried instructor (Piper Keithi Fergusson) endeavoured to carry on serious instruction in the face of all the opposition imag.i nable. If this is a true indication of how the band conducts, itself at its actual practices we are amazed at the outcome. Another bright spot was afforded Piper Jim Law who endeavoured to play '"Ye Banks and Braes" only to be repeatedly interrupted by. diminutive Pipers. Barry Thomas and Russell Hurst who insisted on playing jazz tunes. We have discovered incidentally, that it is possible to play "'Pistol Packin' Momma" on the bagpipes, and % we wonder how the shades of Bruce are behaving in the face of it. f

The piping assemblies were also striking features of the concert, many of the tunes .setting the feet going throughout the hall. Another highlight was the particularly smart and telling drum display. The variety of beats which this item illustrated came as something of a surprise to the average member of the audience. Few again will forget the harmonised pipe trio, "The Green Hills of Tyrol/' played by three of the junior members.

The final assembly closed the concert on a particularly line note, the last piece being the Maori song of farewell once again played by a diminutive piper to the loud applause of the audience. Chief <L W. Simons took the opportunity oj thanking all present for their patronage and support and also' of introducing each member of the Land.

It came as a surprise to most of Ihe boys to be the guests at a complimentary supper which had been provided by .several of those immediately responsible for the tour. This was held in the Society's meeting room and was* interspersed with a number of toasts. The boys did full justice to all the good things lief ore them, and concluded by giving three hearty cheers J'or the, organisers. The. toast list was as under: "The Loyal Toast" ? Rev. H. M. Bell; "The Society", Drum Mole and Pipe Major Malcolm Law; "The Band", Rev. H. M. Bell and Pipe Sergeant Don Howat; "The Mothers", Piper Russell Hurst and Drum Sergeant Bruce Thomas.