Impressions of Contest.

Grey River Argus, 2 March 1927, Page 2

Impressions of Contest.

AND THE BAND'S TRIUMPH. INTERVIEW WITH SECRETARY. Some impressions of the contest and of the Band’s performance there were given to an il Argus” reporter last night by the Secretary, Air W. Alurray. What made the Band’s achievement the more striking, said Air Alurray, was the fart that about half of its members were juniors who had been competing against bands consisting of seasoned players with many years of contest experience. For instance, the whole of the cornet section of one band had entered for the solo contest. A METEORIC RISE. Referring to the Band’s triumph in the hymn test, Air Alurray said it was the first time in six years that a P» Grade band had even competed in—much less won—the A. Grade test. It was the first time in the history of N'ew Zealand contests that a band which had won the B. Grade contest <d in its next year won the A Grade hymn test against all the A. bands of New Zealand.

In the contest selections “Lantsing” and “Gounod,” there had been absolutely no mistakes in the Band’s renditions. Irrespective of the band’s placing in these selections it had done splendid work and was a credit to Greymout h.

TWO STAR SOLOISTS. Whilst it would be unfair to mention individual soloists Air Alurray said he could not refrain from referring to the great work done by Master Leo Carruthers, the 16-year-old solo trombonist of the band, who got through his heavy task without a flaw. A very bright future was predicted for him. The star of the contest was Air Johnny nobertson, who besides win ning the B. Flat cornet solo, was also the winner of the champion of the champions class His general work with both the Wanganui and Greymouth bands was of outstanding merit. It was a matter for pride that Air. Robertson had been trained in Greymouth. The congratulations which had been showered on the band by various band conductors and the eulogistic comments of the judge. Air W. llalliwell, one of the greatest band adjudicators of the world, showed that the band had been I trained on a sound basis. In this connection, Air Alurray paid a warm tribute to Conductor McMaster’s work. Greymouth was fortunate in having a man of Air AlcAlaster’s ability at the head of its band. A BANDSMAN’S LIFE. NO SINECURE Referring to the popular impression that bandsmen enjoyed a pleasant holiday at a contest, Air Alurray said a typical day was employed from 7 to 8.30 in marching practice, and from 10 to 12 noon and 2 to 4 p.m. in selection practice. Evenings not devoted to contest work were devoted to practices. It would be seen that the position of a bandsman at the contest was no sinecure. Regarding the band’s future Air Murray observed in conclusion that now it had got its foot on the A. Grade ladder no efforts should be spared tn raise it to the highest rung. The difficulty would, of course, be to retain t players of ability. It was in this direction that the employers and general public could do much to keep the band at its present strength.