ROYAL ARTILLERY BAND.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1972, 31 January 1914, Page 3

ROYAL ARTILLERY BAND.

RETURNING TO WELLINGTON. Tljo return visit to Wellington of ti& Royal "Artillery Band, which has been playing: for eight weeks ia Auckland, under engagement to the Auckland Exhibition, will give nvusfc-iovors another opportunity which will probably bo keenly appreciated. The band played in the Wellington Town Hall at th'o end of November to enormous audiences, and succeeded in cresting a strong desire that it should be heard here again. Circumstances have unexpectedly allowed tlio baud to pay Another visit to Wellington, and to play a selection of five programmes, both in the Town Hail and in the Athletic l'nrk. The band will arrive on Friday, February 6, and will play on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. On tho following Monday it will leave for Ghristehureh. . The Royal. Artillery Band is tho senior band in the British Array, having been formed in 17-62. Aetu&lly tho "Trayno of Artillery" was not without music as early as 1537; for their record of that date of the employment of a "drnmnio" and "phifo" and one shilling each wr diem, to accompany tho forco at St. Quontin. In 1758 n large number of British troops went to help to expel tlie_ French from Germany j and it was during tho subsequent peace negottatiorts that tho British oflicers first had any real experience of military music, and' Wore- long steps wero tafcu to follow the example of" the Germans in this matter. The Royal Artillery Band was tho.', first forced, and has developed into what has been described by Colonel Duncan, in the history of the Royal Artillery, as probably tho best military hand in tho world. No band in tho British Isles has a finer reputation. ■ It has performed, at tho. most important State functions at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, at tho Guildhall, Mansion House,, Foreign Office, India Offico, Colonial Office, Royal Academy, and a great number- of other important places. For many years it has, playing as an orchestra, given symphony concerts in London a.nd Woolwich during tho winter season. It. is a very- largo band, munbermg 106 performers, and tlte 44 men who play iit tho touting band have been sfieGtally selected to provide a perfectly balanced musical combination.