BAND CARNIVAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 224, 16 June 1919, Page 9

BAND CARNIVAL

AT SALVATION ARMY JUBILEE CONGRESS. "Oh, there's magic in the music of a militnry band!'' sang a popular lyrist a few years ago. Magic unquestionably, and .it does not need to lie a military build in the strict musical sense of the term, for tho plain brass band, "all in good order," is about the most stimulating music in the open that has ever been devised by, man. It rouses the blood, quickens the blood, and at once awakens a sense or feeling that is altogether exhilarating and pleasing. The shry'c of hearing Ave good bands, all playing instruments of the or.o standard' muko in tho Town Kali on Saturday evening yas positively elcetrical—it roused and .uplifted everyone, and mado one inclined to shoiit ''Hallelujah!" with the most ardent Salvationist present. The occasion was a united band festival (live bands taking part), in connection'with tho''Salvation Army's Jubilee Congress now in progress in Wellington. Needless to say, the Town Hall was packed to its utmost capacity, not, by a lung way, with adherents of the Army. Commissioner T. If. Howard was present, and received an ovation as he lhountcd the platform. He said that Commissioner Hodder had informed him that ho would have nothing to do but sit and listen, and when he got there lie was fold he had to preside. It wa3 really his first public appearanco in Wellington, and he was gratified and uplifted by tho reception accorded him. It was the ninth gathering of tho kind he had attended since ho left Home, and he found the samo splendid spirit pervading tho Army here as elsewhere. Thirty years was a pretty big gap, but ho was pleased, to find that there were sonio that lore him in faint recollection Iln was very pleased to renew those old acquaintances with old members of the Army, and very pleased to make the acquaintance with new ones. In mentioning his high appreciation of the bandsmen and songsters of tho Army, he mentioned that the Army had some 30,000 bandsmen throughout the world, and some 17,000 to 18,000 songsters, so they formed a very substantial seclion of tho organisation." He had been tactfully told not to speak too long. In presiding at meetings lie had once received verv valuable advice from his friend, Sir Wilfred-,'Lawson, who advise dhim to always liavo something good to say for a start, and something good to say. to finish, then bring tho two as close together as possible'. (Laughter and applause.) He would now leave Commissioner Hodder to announce tho items.

When the massed bands hit tho first crashing chord of the hymn "Stand Up and Bless the Lord" it made tho municipal welkin ring, and brought everyone up standing, 'l'hero was a grandeur and lift that was irresistible. ' Though some three thousand people were singing with all their hearts and voices, they were completely and splendidly dominated by the martial lgusic from the congregated bands, which well-nigh filled the choir 6eats. The bands were conducted by Captain Golfin, of Foxton (formerly conductor of the Wellington City Band), in a masterly manner, that reminded one faintly of .Soiisa at times. None of the conductors had so clear.and sweeping a beat as Captain Golfin. Tho Wanganui Baud, a fairly well-balanced little bafid, showed careful instruction •in "All's Well." not a strong picso musically. The Gisborjto Band, outbalanced by the bass section, yet well-instructed, played a selection eiftitled "Fighting Soldiers" and "The Unseen Line," but it was tho Duncdin Baud that first caught .tho attention as a band of first quality. ! Here was true balancvc and tun;, the crispest sense in attack and release, and a fino round tone. This band, which played tho selection "Call to r War" (which embodies several familiar airs, including, at the end, a passago from Rossini's "William Tell") possesses strong bass and euphonium sections (euphonium sol particularly well played) and a very serviceaVlo soprano cornet. This band's march was "The Conqueror.''' The Wellington BZand also covered itself-with glory. , It played tho -march "Fielding" ..(composed by the conductor, Bandmaster Scofney) with a swing and a crash that was distinctly stimulating, and in tho selection "Atonement" showed a very fino liilisical grace, that earned for it an ovation from pub-, iic and bandsmen as well. Tho Palmorston North Band played tho selection "Happy Day" and the march "Pilgrims' March." The programme was varied bythe appearanco of the City Songsters, a mixed choir, which sang tho anthems "Exalt Him" and "My Shepherd," verycreditably. A star item was tho wanddrill of tho boys from tho Army's home at Eltliam. and they wore given an ovation for their cleverness and precision in thoso intricate exercises (performed to music). The girls from tho Wellington, homo also contributed a very attractive scaVf drill, in which they executed many graceful designs and tableaux.

The children under tho Army's care are to givo a special performance of their own in the Town Hall this evening. Altogether, three great Salvationist; meetings wero hold in tho Town Hall yesterday. In tho morning, at eleven; o'clock, about 120(1 people gathered for: a "holiness" meeting, and wero addressed by Commissioner Howard, the venerable chief of the staff. Then there was, the band performance ill the af-' ternoon. At seven in "tho even-! ing a "Salvation" meeting was held and tho Commissioner .delivered a Gospel: address. Massed bands under the baton of Captain Golfin, accompanied' tho singing of the great assembly. Commissioner Howard will this morning conduct a "staff council." In the evening thoro will be a young people's demonstration, particulars of which are given in our advertising columns.