THE BIDS CONTEST

Evening Star, Issue 19796, 21 February 1928, Page 11

THE BIDS CONTEST

DUNEDIN SCORES IN QUARTET HAPPY AUGURY FOR TEST SELECTION (Special to the ‘ Stae.’J CH RISTCHI)RCH, February ‘2O. Dunedin achieved a notable victory nt the contest last evening in the quartet competition, when the parties from its two A grade bands, St. Kilda and Kaikorai, wore placed first and second, with the fine quartet from Grcyinouth in the third place, only a point or two away. This competition is always looked upon as an indication of what is likely to happen in the selection championship, and if this be taken as correct, then Dunedin may look very hopefully to one or even both bands disputing the championship. Both Queen Alexandra’s Own and Woolston failed to please the judge. The points dropped so quickly after the first three places as to cause some astonishment among supporters of the unplaced competitors. However, the quartet result is merely an indication of what may happen, and not by any means a definite forecast of results ahead. The performance of the Dunedin City Tramways Band in the B grade selection test last evening was surprisingly good. The selection test was the difficult arrangement from' Tschaikowsky.’s works arranged by Walter Reynolds. The band opened with massive tone and electrical chords, the tonal volume being well maintained throughout the work. The band also did well in the more difficult subdued parts, and its refinement was a commendable feature. A few mis-struck notes crept in, but these were not of a serious character. | The management of the striking discords, with their resolutions, was a S leasing feature. The solo selections id well, and the whole performance was of aii attractive order. The performance by Jupp’s Silver Band was highly meritorious, and in the opinion of many of A grade standard. The Central Mission Band, Wellington, also played brilliantly, and was also an A grade performance, The judge placed Central Mission first, Jupp’s second, Dunedin Tramways third, Ist Battalion (Wellington) fourth. As the final result is an aggregate the points were not disclosed. Results:— E FLAT BASS SOLO (‘ Romance Bohemian ’). W. A. Coughlan (Kaikorai), 91 points) 1 T. Phelonng (Woolston), 9U points 2 J. Avery (Timaru Municipal), 89 points If Also competed: D. Coyle (Wellington Tramways) 83, W. Jeffreys (Wellington Central Mission) 78, A. Nelson (St. Kilda Municipal) 81, A. Homer (St. Kilda .Municipal) 78, T. Lim (Greymouth Municipal) 83, W. M'Dowell (Christchurch Municipal) 81, E. Birch (Queen Alexandra’s Own, Wanganui) SI. E. Pollock (Woolston) 85, N. Davie (Kaikorai) 78, J. P. Cowlishaw (Palmerston North) 87. BASS TROMBONE SOLO (‘Triumphant ’). L. Willicombo (Dannevirke), 85 points 1 F. Keoghan (Christchurch Municipal), 81 points ... ... 2 P. I/. Collins (Timaru Municipal) and J. Cummings (Wellington Tramways), 80 points (equal) ... 3 Also competed: G. Humphreys (Queen Alexandra's Own) 78 and J. Camithers (Greymouth Municipal) 78. BASS DRUM SOLO. W. Woodley (Ist Canterbury' Regiment), 84 points 1 W. M'Robie (Ist Battalion, Wellington), 77 points _ 2 A. Gallop (Woolston), 70 points ... 3 Also competed: T. A. Stevenson (Dunedin Tramways) 75 and W. Wallace (St. Kilda) 75. SIDE DRUM SOLO. W. Carmichael (Palmerston North), 90 points 1 J. Lees (St. Kilda), 85 points ... 2 S. Morrish (Woolston), 80 points ... 3 Also competed: T. J. Atkinson (Wooi(ston) 75, L. West (Dunedin Tramways) 70, G. E. James (Ist Battalion, Wellington) did not finish. QUARTET’ (‘ Wendouree ’).

Si. Hilda Municipal No. 2, 135 points 1 Kaikorni, 133 points 2 Greymouth Municipal, .131 points ... 3 Also competed: St. Kilcla No. 1 110. WooLston No. 1 111, Woolston No. 2 108, Wellington Central Mission 104, Wellington Municipal Tramways 101, Queen Alexandra’s Own 100. B GRADE FIRST TEST SELECTION. (In this case there are two tests. The second will bo judged to-morrow evening') Wellington Central Mission (conductor, Air C. Forrest) 1 Jupp’s Silver Band, Wellington (conductor, Mr W. J. Jupp) ... 2 Dunedin City Tramways (conductor, Mr A. Gonld) 3 Owing to the late hour of concluding the evening performances no comments were made by the judges. The aggregate points will be annonneed when the second test is concluded to-morrow night. SOUTH ISLAND ASSOCIATION DRIFTING TOWARDS PROFESSIONALISM. [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, February 20. The annual meeting of the South Island Bands’ Association was held today. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £133 Tls. The question of professionalism at contests was raised in a letter from Mr R. J. Estall, tendering his resignation as trustee. His reason, he stated, was that, the association was drifting away from the principles and objects for which it was formed —namely, the fostering of competition among amateur bands.

Thi Secretary; It is not the fault of tlie association that \vc arc drifting: towards professionalism. It is the fault of the bands themselves. It was stated that at the Dunedin contest some hands played ns many as four professionals. It was agreed that the whole matter should ho referred to the incoming executive for consideration, and Mr Estell later withdrew his resignation. ’ The election of officers resulted as follows; —President, Dr H. T. «T. Thacker; treasurer. Mr H, Sweeney; secretary, Mr T. F. Hall; trustee, Mr F. J. F-stall; committee—Messrs W. LaiTombe. F. C'illcliff, ,1. M'Cnllongh, W. D. Murray, W. Newton, D. Oakes, J. D. Hunter, A. Wood, A. G. Homer, and R. B. Hoan.