Levin Military Band In Strong Position

Chronicle (Levin), 7 May 1949, Page 4

Levin Military Band In Strong Position

From a handful of learners with a few fifes and drums, the band had grown to a membership- of 37;, and assets in instruments amounting to £198 16s 8d, said the bandmaster of the Levin Miiitary Band, Mr. M. II, Boyce, when reportin.& to the annual meeting on Wednesday night. Reviewing the past year, the president, Mr. H. A. Robertson, said the band was in a good financi.ai position an'd had had a most satisf.actory year of progress. He Re--ferred with eratitude to the strong support the band had received from Mr. J. W. Hayfield. For a man of such advanced years, it was a big thing for Mr. Hayfield to attend the praetices and take such a keeri interest in the band. It showed that his heart and soul were in music, said Mr. Robercson. Endorsing these remarks, Mr. Boyce said that Mr. Hayfield had been a good attender at praetices and on one occasion, when the band was on1. parade in exceotionally wet and windy conditions, Mr. Hayfiel'd had turned up and conducted the band while many of the young playeR£ were not present. It was decided to send a letter of appreciation tc Mr. Hayfie'd for his support. The president also referred to the great amount of time put into the band by Mr. Boyce, stating that to him also Ihe band owed ,a debt of. gratitude. Mr. Boyce and Mr. Hayfield had put up with many disappointments and unforeseen obstacles, but had carried on. . Sound- Finances. The balance sheet reflected great credit on the band, added Mr. Robertson. A balance of £10 14s Id last year had grown to £87 11s lld this year. The liabilities were nil and the total assets amountod to, £355 14s ld. That was a very. hea'thy position for a band to be in, he said. The band had managed to come out of the visit of the Junior Watersiders' Band with £5 or £6 to the good. The travelling expenses on that occasion had been £14 10s, which had been paid by the Levin band. "We would not have come out of it so well if it had not been for donations from the Watersiders' Band and members of this committee." said one member present. "It was not from the public that. w.e received support." That wassomething about which nothing could be done, said Mr. Robertson. It had, been a grand musical treat any any who had not attended had missed a first class concert. Band Playing Well. Reporting to the committee, thebandmastor, Mr. Boyce, said' that the poliomyelitis epidemic had been a severe blow to the band and membership' duri-ng the- pcriod had dropped down to mine playing members. The band had had to start and build up from that low figure. During 1948 it had lost 14 playing members, who had left the band permanenFyto At the present time the band's strength, not counting learners, was 27. Attendance at praetices had been about 75 per cent. The- members were ' playing well and had improved lOOi ; per cent. He compfimented. Mr.. R. j Hayfield on his work with a class of ; nine learners. 5 The functions the • band had organised had not always been financial successes, but were pndoubtedly musical successes. The behaviour of all members during praetices; ha.d been exqellent. con> i tinued Mr. Bovce. The aim of the'. instructors of the band was tn . teach the bovs music and; he could s safely say that that objective had; been achieved. The following officers were elect-. ; ed for the year: — Patron: Mr, J. W. Hayfield.; president: Mr.. H A,. •' Robertson; vice-president: MR: QDi Harris; secretary; Mr. W. C. . ShPton;- treasurer: Mr. C: Nichol; ' committee: Messrs F. Denholm, J. . R. Maunder, W. McKenzie, J, B; ; Collett, D. Rikihana, R. .Hayfield^ J. . Trim and W. Procter; hon: auditor: Mr. J.. M, Parsons. .