BRASS BAND CONTEST

Chronicle (Levin), 16 February 1949, Page 7

BRASS BAND CONTEST

Press Association)

High Praise For Youthful '■ P.N. Bandsman

» (Per

A U GJvL AJN D, Eeb. 15. BecauSe of wet weather, the first test sele'ction in the championship elass of the New Zealand Brass Band chanipionships, which was to have been helu at Blandford Park tonight, was postponed. This contest will now be held on Thursday night .and the 'second test selection in the same class lias been altered to Friday night. The visiting bandsmen carried only oue uniforin and beeause they had no means of drying Iheir clothes, it had been necessary to postpone the contest, said. Mr. T. B.Latfey, president of the Auckland Band Contest conVmittee. High praise for a 14-year-old member of the Palmerston North City Silvei Band was given by Mr, A. H. Baile, ttm visiting Australian conductor ana bandsman. The com^etitor was M. Jt'rancis who gamed second place witn JO points in the euphonium sol© contest ' 'It was a great shock to mg to fina this boy had gained second place," saia Mr. Baile. "Although I did not know who the player was at the time, one oi my comments for Francis was that it was a note perfect performance. It waj a really grand job for so young a player." Today 7s results, with judges' con; ments, were: — EUPHONIUM SOLO: The perform ances were as good as anything in Australia, said Mr. Baile. , New Zealand could evidently produce ' more good euplionium piayers than Australia. Th ; need for iuteuse thought in the prepara tion hours, was stressed by the ,]udg • Two or three piayers stood out heao and slioulders above tlie others beeause of the time and thought they had pi:i in before tlieir performanees. Thi.> had made them champions. Placings: J. Ralferty • (Greymouth MumcipaJ • 92 points, 1; ,M. Francis (Palmerstoi. North City Bilver Band) 90, 2; 1). Newth (Palmerston North Garrison Band) 88, 3.

BB CORXET SOLO (Amateur):This contest had produced some ver.c line playing from unexpected quarters, said Mr. rJ\ Goodall. One or two item • ' were brilliant and a number of others would have been in that class also ha I the piayers not failed at vital part.-. Tlie vvinner had given an outstandin ; performance and the second com petitor had . not. been far behind. Th third player had rendered the lovelic.si introduction and theme he had eve heard but liad not been able to nrain tain the quality. None of the first 1 or 12 sliould feel ashamed at not being in the first tlir.ee.' Placings: D. Ohris tenseu (Woolston. Brass Band) 95 points, 1'; L.' Downefe (Auckland Water siders ' Hilver Band) 93, 2; T. McKie

(Queen Alcxancl4a 2nd. N.Z. Armoured Regimental Band) 92, 3. TENOR IIORN SOLO: 1 There ha'.' been a much higlier standard in tiic afternoou playing than in the morning. said Mr. J. D. Gofiin. Very few piayers produced a really' sweet horn tone and several spoilt their quality with too much vibrato. Lack of a sense oi rhytlim was the maiii fault and compe tilors sliould study tlieir piece of musie for correct rhytlunie pulsc. Tlie vvinner, although he did not give a perfect performance, had revealed amazing technique. Ilis was a well ' deserved victory. Tliose in second and third positions gave inature contribiitio:;.^. Placings: S. Cowie (Hawera Municipal) 92 points, 1; T. Smitli (St. Kilda Municipal) 90, 2j F. T. Ormond (Wellington Watersiclers' Silver Band) S9, 3.