BAND MUSIC

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 128, 28 February 1928, Page 3

BAND MUSIC

STANDARD IN DOMINION HIGH COMPLIMENT PAID Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, February 27. “The Doininiou's champiuu band, Queen Alexandra's Oivu, Wanganui, could “ive points to auy band in Australia at present, and would almost certainly win at uUy contest if it reproduced the form it has shown at the present contest.” This is the opinion of Mr. E. Jackson, of Brisbane, who has just finished a strenuous week's judging at. the band contest: just conducted. Mr. Jackson was a former resident of Oatuaru, bet has tor many years been resident in Australia, where he is considered to be the foremost authority on matters pertaining to bands and band anisic, lie is conductor of the Brisbane Municipal Baud, and also holds an appoint ment akin to Municipal Director of Music, all bands wishing to play in the public parks of Brisbane having to satisfy the standard required by him. .Mr. Jackson is enthusiast io regarding the standard of playing by the A grade bands, which he has heard at the contest. They are for the most part quit? up to the Australian standard, he informed a I’ress representative yesterday, but the B grade bands are not .-<> good as the B grade bands in the (..’ommonweallh. He said the solo olaying at the contest had been of a very high standard, and the comet championship class had produced players who could hold their own Jin any Australian contest. The winner I of the champion of champions class on Saturday evening i,W. I’. Coughlan. of the Kaikorai Band) was ouo of the ruo-t wonderful players he had ever heard. The A grade test selection, I’imsky Korsakof symphonic suite “Scheherazade.’’ was a wonderful work, aud soiuo wonderful performances of it had been given.' This work had been the test selection tor the Australian contest in 1925, but on that occasion the bunds had been permitted to use not, more than three drums. In view of the fact that the percussion instruments played such an important part in this suite, he was of the opinion that the performances at the contest would have been much more interesting if a similar provision had been made by those responsible for the rules of the contest this year. Mr. Jackson had the pleasure of hearing the recorded version of “The White Rider." the test selection at the recent Crystal J/alace contest, as played Litho winning band. Carlisle St. Stephens. Cumberland, and in his opinion this test number did not. make nearly such hi aw demands on the players as the test piece nt the contest just concluded. Asked for Jiis opinion ou the suggestion made by the contest committee that at future contests the judge should be permitted to view the performers, Mr. Jaekson stated that tie did not agree with this. As far as he personally was concerned, ho would close his eyes if he were in full view of the players._ He wanted to hear, not see, and he found that he could always hear best when he was in a darkened room witli nothing to distract the attention. I.lc did not think it was the duty of a. musical judge to award points for deportment. If this were considered advisable, ho thought a special judge should bo appointed, for this purpose. As regards the question of professionalism, Jtr. Jackson stated that in Queensland a band could play as many professionals as it wished, but there must be proof that each professional had been a member of the band for at least six months, and had played with it for at least 75 per cent, of its public appearances. There was a verv strict check on players appearing with a contesting band to prevent “ringing iu.” and full particulars of each player had to be supplied to the contest committee. Be- ; fore a band took the platform each player was scrutinised io see that he 1 was- the man entered by the band, and each loan had to sign his name iu a book, the signatures being compared , with signatures previously obtained. It? New South Wales, a professional player ■ was absolutely barfed from competing in a contest.

Asked for his opinion regarding broadcasting, Mr. Jackson stated that be did not favour tho broadcasting of bands or indeed of any concerted music, as. in his opinion, wireless broadcasting had not yet reached a stage where a success could bo made of the broadcasting of concerted music. Radio was all right for certain kinds, of entertainment, but not in liis opinion for band music. The gramophone, ho considered, was still the best entertainer for those who could not hear the original performers.