The Feilding Brass Band

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 101, 17 February 1891, Page 2

The Feilding Brass Band

(By an Oi»d ßandsmen.) Being of a musical turn, and bearing that our Band was going -to perform in the Square, I thought I would take a stroll round and hear their contest pieces, and see how they were progressing. Having given two sacred pieces first — I suppose as 1 - a sort of a preliminary — they then started on that old and favorite selection, " Maritana," The start was very good, no mistakes being made, and the instruments seeming i& chord nicely, the horns and bass cowing out excellently in the latter part of the movement. The second movement was done equally as ; well, horn^i and basa again shining in the latter part. The third movement was ■the. first solo for the cornet, and was all that could be wished for,. but the latter '■ part developing into an euphomium solo ! wa» rather shaky, the euphonium being all at sea for a while, but he eventually picked himself up, and in the cornet and ' euphonium cadenza came out in grand style, the tone being excellent. The , cornet, however, failed to take his first note in this, which was one of the most grievous mistakes in the piece. The horn solo, followed by the bass solo ("Alas, those Chimes "), was the redeeming point of the piece. The band has got good bass, anyhow. Soprano next had a solo which was very fair, a trifle weak on his high notes, and a little bit harsh if anything. The trombone cadence, which next followed, is the weak point of the Band. The player of this instrument really ought to practice hard, or he will be; a; long" way short of concert pitch. By the bye, I would suggest the Band get this player a box to sit on— one with a nice cushion— for it is really too much trouble for him to stand. The solo cornet next gave his recitative excellently, which he followed in the same style with "Oh, what Mystery," repiano and soprano putting in a nice accompaniment. Soprano and repiano came next with their sold, which was also very good. I noticed the repiano was inclined to blow a bit wild in his double forte parts all through. He should also be careful about his tone. The final movement was the best of the lot, bar the horn and bass solos, the Band seeming to have plenty of backbone. The second instruments play too loud altogether in their accompaniments; so loud in fact as to almost drown the euphonium in his first solo. But I must admit the. Band is on the improve, and I hope to soon have the pleasure of hearing them play out again, when I might be tempted to talk about the contest piece, "Linda di Chamoum." Hoping you will find space for these few remarks, and that they will be taken in good part, I wish them success. Critique.