YOUNG MUSICIANS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 66, 26 April 1946, Page 4

YOUNG MUSICIANS

x FORTHCOMING BAND CONTEST RECENT CHRISTCHURCH TRIP Members of the Whakatane Boys’ Band are at present practicing to compete in the Band Contests to be held at Hamilton at the end of August.

In the Dominion contests, which, it will be remembered took place at Christchurch recently, six of the local boys travelled to the South Island. Unfortunately some of the lads were ill on the days the actual competitions were held, and the quartet which had practiced assiduously, was unable to compete. On the other hand the trip was an education in itself, and this alone made it well worth while. Excellent weather was experienced throughout, and the boys made good use of the sight seeing bus trips offering.

In the contest itself, it will be remembered, Peter Ward particularly did very well, capturing third place in the E Flat Bass section. But perhaps of a much greater value was the number of ‘tips’ the lads gained from watching and listening to a succession of other bands playing.

The standard of the cornet section, it is understood was this year particularly high, the judge remarking that he had awarded higher points than he had ever giw|i in previous years. Incidentally, he also stated that New Zealand Bands were of a much higher standard than heir counterparts in Australia.

The forthcoming contests at Hamilton, it is expected, will include the whole Band. Sections include a Quickstep Contest (Marching), a Selection chosen by each individual Band, and a Hymn Test. This last competition is to be combined with th'e Choir Contests which take place on the same day. All boys are at present practicing assiduously for the visit to Hamilton, which, although several months off, will require a high standard, involving much preparatory hard work on the part of the musicians.