A SURPRISED MUSICIAN.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1350, 30 January 1912, Page 4

A SURPRISED MUSICIAN.

»•— WELLINGTON GARRISON BAND MISJUDGED. Was there ever a brass band contest in which tho judge gavo satisfaction to all parties? Tho question could be safely answered with a unanimous "Never!" The judging of Mr. Thos. Morgan at the South Island Brass Band Association's contest is not thought impeccable by at least one Wellington gentleman who heard tho bands play in Christcburch. He states that the greatest surprise was exprosswl among bandsmen ami those capablo of judging at tho placing of tho Wellington Garrison sixth on tho list. Our informant states that tho band, which is every bit as good in instrumental quality as it was whcai it won the championship against Wanganui at Palmerston North two years ago, gave a performance both • in the Liszt anti "Die Meistorsinger" selections that was highly creditable, a performance quite up to expectations in every way. The tone, balance, blend and tuna wore distinctly good, and little fault could be found with the interpretation. Wanganui might have played the Liszt selection a little smoother than Wellington, but in the "Meistorsingor" what little difference there was was in Wellington's favour. And then for the band to bo placed sixth—after Oamaru and Morninston—'was a surpriso oven to the members of those bands. Tho Wellington Tramways Band l»is made excellent progress since it was formed, and is now playing most creditably, but thoso who know band music arc aware that it is # a good bit short of tho Wellington Garrison yet in the quality of its ensembleinlaying— yet this lwind tied with tho Wellington Garrison in tho two selections named. Tho judging was equally at fault in the B grade. All those who listened attentively and with knowlodgo knew that there were two outstandingly good bands—tho Lyttelton Marines and tho lnangahua, yet tho latter was placed last. In the "Meistersinger," A grade, the cornels of the Mornington Band, added this critic, went to pieces for about six bars, yet that djd not prevent them being placcd before tho Wellington Garrison.