BANDS PLAYING OUT OF TUNE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 27, 16 February 1937, Page 11

BANDS PLAYING OUT OF TUNE

i— PresB Aasociation.)

Sydney Judge Criticises Playing HYMNS ARE NOT DIRGES

(By Telegraph

NELSON, Feb. 15. The New Zealand band contesi opened in beautiful weather to-day. There are seven A grade and twelve B grade bands competing, and there are 400 entries in solo competitions. Mr. E. P. Kerry (Sydney) is chief adjudicator and Mr. G. Goodall (Wellington) is assistant judge. ' The judging of solos proceeded this morning. Results: — E Flat Soprano Cornet (13 entries.) — W. Francis (Wanganui Garrison), 85, 1; R. Thomas (Timaru Municipal), 84,' 2; C. Thompson (Queen Alexandra 's Own), 76, 3. E Flat or EE Flat Bass (16 entries). — J. P. Cowlishaw (Palmerston North Garrison), 94, 1; V. Abraham (Timaru Municipal), 93, 2; L. H. Jacobs (Institute Silver, Wellington), 91, S. Hymn Test Results. Nineteen A and B grade bands com- • peted on a fevel in the hymn test to- ' Inight and the performance of Dannevirke proved that smaller bands can make a worthy showing in the hymn against mor.e notabie combinations. A crowd of over 2500 gathered at Trafalgar Park, the weather being clear with a cool wind. The judge, Mr. Kerry, 'placed the first three bands as .follows: — Timaru Municipal, 138 1 Dannevirke Municipal, 130 . . 2 St. Kilda Municipal, 129 .... 3 "I would advise eonductors to spen. to*morrow getting the bands in tune,'' jemarked the judge in giving his de icision. ,i[I have never heard bands sa idamnably out of tune as some of those I uave heard to-night. I have not come here to pull you to pieces. I know no bands in New Zealand and it doesn't matter to me who wins. ' ' Commenting qn the test afterwards, Mr. Kerry said that the programmes were varied. The main factor was untunefulness and unbalanced playing. The band that won had won handsomely. It had the best tone and was the best balanced. It piayed the hymn more in keeping with a hymn than any other band. A hymn should not be a dirge. Bands out of tune would not be considered in any way whatsoever, he added. He had taken phrasing into consideration. Some of the bands made bigger gaps than one would mak« in singing and the majority left th« ends of phrases too abrupt instead oi tapering them off. Tenor Trombone Solo.

H. Croucher (Hawera Municipal) 79, L. Carruthers (Greymouth Municipal) 74, G, Langridge (Timaru Municipal) 73. Baritone Solo. C. Smith (Timaru Municipal) 89, G. Wilson (Woolston Brass) 88, A. J. Tourell (Dunedin Artillery) and E. O 'Brien (Wellington Tramways) 87 equaL Both judges were disappointed with to-day 's solos. Mr. Kerry considered the ^oprano comets poor and expressed disappointment. The E flat bass solo was interesting but not high class, said the judge, Mr. Goodall. The solo was quite easy but linany competitors treated it too easily. IMistakes made were numerous and unnecessary. Three players stood out a (little above the others. The most noticeable fault was articulation. The three leading players' articulation was very good right through. i Mr. Kerry was , very disappointed in 'the trombones. From a championship view-point it was the worst playing he had ever listened to. He pointed out that the trombone was a man's instrument. He could not stand the horn tone on a trombone and urged them" to cut out the extra tremolo. Mr. Goodall said the baritone solos were not very good and wondered whether all were nervous.